Does van insurance cover my tools?
No. A standard van motor policy covers the vehicle, not the tools and equipment inside it. To protect your tools you need separate tools-in-transit or goods-in-transit cover.
What your motor policy does and doesn't cover
Van insurance is designed to cover the vehicle itself, third-party liability and, depending on your level, damage to your van. The contents are treated separately.
- Covered: the van, accidents, fire and theft of the vehicle (subject to your cover level).
- Not covered: tools, stock and equipment stolen from or damaged inside the van.
Many tradespeople are caught out after a break-in when they discover their tools were never insured by the motor policy.
How to protect your tools
Add a dedicated tools-in-transit policy, which covers equipment carried in your van against theft and damage. Insurers often expect reasonable security, such as a locked van and tools removed overnight, and many will not pay out for tools left in the vehicle unattended after dark. Check the policy limits and excess carefully, and compare options so the cover matches the value of what you carry.
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Are tools covered if stolen overnight?
Often not. Many policies exclude tools left in a van overnight, so removing them or checking the overnight clause is essential.
What is the difference between tools and goods in transit?
Tools-in-transit covers your own working equipment; goods-in-transit covers items or stock you carry, often on behalf of others.
Does home insurance cover work tools in my van?
Rarely. Home contents policies usually exclude business tools, especially when kept in a vehicle, so separate cover is safer.