Insurance for Mechanic's Tools

topher_2

My brother is a mechanic and leaves his tools at work. He recently noticed that the cost to replace them if they were stolen would be huge - the owner of the company says that he doesn't provide any kid of cover for tools left at work.

Does anyone know of any where to get theft cover for his tools from?

Thanks!

mattymoo

I'm guessing Snap on Tools in a nice shiny cabinet - value £8k plus ???

I used to work for a firm that specialised in motor traders cover (for the business owner). They would often just insure their equipment, e.g. ramps, compressors, testing equipment etc. but forget about the employees socket sets. This is quite short sighted.

Because the Snap On type cabinets are on wheels and the tools untraceable they are very popular with thieves. We would point out that in the event of such a theft their mechanics would not be able to work and the garage would not be able to accept any work. It was then simply a case of adding on the employees tools to the employers policy but under a section headed "employees tools". Relatively small additional cost that most garage owners would bear. Some would pass on the cost to the employee.

Assuming the garage owner will not budge, your brother needs to find his own cover. Many insurers have minimum premiums of £250 because they feel it is uneconomic to write business any cheaper.

You could try the following though.
Tradex - motor trade insurer specialising in smaller risks although I could not find anything on their website they might be worth a call.
https://www.tradexinsurance.co.uk

Giles Insurance operate a scheme on behalf of the IMI. Have a look here
http://www.motor.org.uk/members/technician-tool-insurance.html
and here
http://www.thebroker.co.uk/quick_motortrade.htm

lapat

i used to insure mine via the union that i was in through there own affiliated insurance i think it was endsleigh
he may be best trying that route if he is in a union or contact endsleigh direct

knowledgeman

Id tell your brother to tell his boss he either insures his tools or supplys him with tools as your brother no longer intends to supply his tools unprotected

Im sure they will back down quickly, as the cost of a premium will be far less than the cost of recruiting someone else and lost business whilst doing it