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Tool Insurance
Cover for your own and hired-in tools if they are lost, stolen or damaged
- Available as part of your tradesman insurance package.
- Our specialist team can advise the level of tool insurance you need.
- Access your quotes, policies and renewals in your online account
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Why choose tool insurance with Towergate?
All Risks tool cover
Accidental loss or damage to tools available. Policies vary, typical exclusions - overnight theft is excluded from vehicles unless locked in a secure building, wear and tear, electrical and mechanical breakdown.
Tool insurance with varying cover limits.
Varying cover limits are available to suit your business
Expert tools claims service
Dedicated claim handlers to give you peace of mind.
Pay for tools insurance by Direct Debit
You can manage your payment in 10 monthly instalments. Ask for details of our instalment facility.
About tool insurance
Insurance for a range of tools and trades
We can cover a range of tools when they are on-site, in a van, at your business premises, or just at home. Our single article limit is up to £1,500, depending on equipment and policy chosen. (Overnight theft is excluded from vehicles unless locked in a secure building). As well as tradesman tools, we can provide cover for business and test equipment for other professional roles.
Insurance for your tools while in transit
Our tool insurance covers your equipment should it be stolen or accidentally damaged (excluding damage caused while the tool is in use). This includes when your tools are in transit to and from your worksite (within the distances stated in your policy). Some of our polices can also include losses overnight; talk to one of our advisers for details.
Cover against fire, theft or malicious damage to your tools
We can offer cover from £1,000 to £5,000 value per person for your tools, for loss or damage caused by fire and a range of perils including accidental damage, fire, storm, flood, water damage, theft and malicious damage (exclusions apply – i.e. overnight theft is excluded from vehicles unless locked in a secure building). check your policy document for specific details).
Tool cover to provide you peace of mind
Cover for your tools provides you with peace of mind and protection should they be stolen or damaged. With our tool insurance, you know you can replace your equipment quickly and efficiently and carry on with your contracts, ensuring you are not left out of pocket and the interruption to your business minimised. (Policy exclusions vary depending on the policy arranged)
When you need to make a claim, we'll guide you through the process and get your claim settled as quickly as possible.
- Find your insurance documents and make sure you have all your information at hand, including your policy number.
- Call the claims team on 0344 892 1384 and explain exactly what happened.
- Provide photos if requested to help us understand what happened as quickly as we can.
Ready to get covered?
- Fill in our online quote form or call us
- Select your insurer and price
- Relax - You're covered!
Tool insurance FAQs
Markel Direct provide and administer this cover. Markel Direct is a trading name of Markel International Insurance Company Limited who is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register no. 202570).
Cover for your tools provides you with peace of mind and protection should they be stolen or damaged. With our tool insurance, you know you can replace your equipment quickly and efficiently and carry on with your contracts, ensuring you are not left out of pocket and the interruption to your business minimised. (Policy exclusions vary depending on the policy arranged).
This will depend on your trade, the type, value and amount of tools you use. Your cover should represent the total ‘replacement as new’ value of all your tools. Various limits are available to suit your business needs.
Check your policy carefully for the single article limit applicable, as this can vary between policies. Superior contracts give up to £1,500 any one item whereas a cheaper policy may have a much lower single tool limit. Make sure you let us know if you have larger equipment so that this can be specified in your policy cover.
The standard excess for our tool insurance is £100. This means that you are responsible for paying the first £100 of any claim for tools.
Yes, when left unattended, you need to ensure that your vehicle is fully secured, all doors and windows closed with all locks fully engaged. Where alarms are fitted, they must be set. Overnight, the van must be kept inside securely locked premises. (cover varies according to the policy selected).
No, your employees' tools are not, automatically covered, but can be added. Please talk to an adviser.
Our tool insurance policy is designed to cover tools owned by the legal entity shown as the policy holder (whether that is you as a sole trader, a partnership or a limited company). Tools that you supply to direct employees or temporary labour-only sub-contractors in connection with your business activities will be included.
Failure to exercise prudent proactive risk management will potentially increase the risks of injury to staff or members of the public, as well as the potential for damage to their property.
Firms that have arranged cover to include direct employees or engage temporary labour only sub-contractors must:
- Provide adequate supervision and training to staff – and maintain adequate records to evidence the safe and correct use of tools and equipment.
- Complete regular risk assessments of processes and equipment associated with all your business activities, implementing a safe way/system of work.
- Ensure that the tools you supply, are well maintained and remain in good condition free of defect. You can do this by maintaining an asset register and keeping records of your regular inspections.
- Immediately withdraw / remove any worn or broken tools from a worksite and dispose of them correctly/safely.
- Ensure portable electric tools are tested by competent persons in accordance with applicable legislation.
The above is not an exhaustive list and you should seek guidance from health and safety professionals for full guidance; read more on the Health and Safety Executive's website
JCT cover extensions are increasingly requested as a tradesman insurance policy requirement, but not always available as standard. Please ask us should you require this cover and we will source a policy suitable for you.
You need to consider:
- The location, value, type and occupancy of the premises that you work : If you undertake work on high-value buildings or those with high numbers of people i.e. as staff or members of the public will present higher risks.
- Buildings occupied by high-tech companies or production lines, high finance or banking present high-risk exposures
- The type of work and processes, for example do you work with gas blow torches, welding heat or flames?
- Does your main contractor or customer insist on minimum limits of indemnity contractually?
We will give prices on varying public liability indemnity limits to suit your circumstances, so you can make an informed decision.
To help you spread the cost of your premiums, you can choose to spread payment over ten months with the Markel Direct quick and easy Direct Debit scheme.
If you bought your policy before 18th July 2024, you can view all your documentation in your online portal. If you purchased your policy on or after the 18th July 2024, access your documents at Markel's UK website
See our range of trade specific insurance cover
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