2016-06-17

Across the UK In recent months, there has been a rising trend of van thefts or cases where tools and equipment have been stolen from the back of commercial vehicles.

Theft of your business vehicle or equipment could mean loss of income and an increase in insurance premiums, so we've created a short guide to protecting your livelihood:

How to Prevent Tools or Your Van Being Stolen

Sometimes you can't avoid becoming a victim of crime, however some small actions can make it less likely. Here are our top tips for protecting your tools and commercial vehicle:

• Make sure all doors and windows are locked any time you exit the vehicle, even if you'll only be gone for 5 minutes.
• Invest in a good immobiliser, an alarm or, at the very least, a small, blinking red light for your dashboard that insinuates an alarm is installed. These are all great deterrents and will stop thieves from getting very far with your van.
• It may not be the most practical advice, but keep your van interior messy. If a criminal can't see anything of value when they open the doors, it is unlikely they will risk getting in and having a rummage around.
• Keep even the smallest items out of sight and out of mind. Loose change, screwdrivers, chargers, toll passes and even branded clothing are tempting to thieves.
• If possible, park in a well-lit, secure area such as a yard or in a garage. If this is not possible, park near a street light or install a motion sensor light. Also, main roads or near public buildings are often safer due to the likelihood of passers-by or CCTV.
• Don't leave ladders or materials on your roof rack unless you have to. If this cannot be avoided, make sure to chain these down, and secure your spare wheel too.
• Fit your vehicle with a tracker. That way, should it be stolen, it can easily be traced and, hopefully, retrieved.

Actions to Take Should You Become a Victim of Theft

After you've made sure the thieves are gone and you are safe, take photos of any damage and report the theft of your vehicle and/or equipment to the police. The police will provide you with a crime reference number (CRN) that you can use when contacting your insurer to make a claim.

You should then contact your insurer and follow their advice for making a claim. This would usually involve formally reporting the crime and sending any supporting evidence (such as photos and your CRN), then purchasing replacements. You should keep all receipts of purchases should your insurer ask for them.

Of course, without the correct insurance you will not be able to make a claim and you will likely have to spend a lot of money putting things right. Make sure your vehicle and equipment has the correct cover by comparing business insurance quotes with us.

From fleet insurance to van cover, commercial insurance to trade cover, we're sure to have a policy for your needs. Learn more about our insurance policies and compare quotes online here.