Dean Laming, Managing Director of Tradesman Saver, explains the advantages, and potential risks, of driving a branded work van.
A significant switch
When we started gathering the data for our recent Tool Theft Gap report, we wanted to get a deeper understanding of the impact of tool theft on our customers. One of the more surprising stats to come out was the amount of tradespeople who are switching to unbranded vans to try and avoid being targeted.
The research shows that almost a third (30%) have made the move so that they're not advertising valuable tools and materials to criminals. When you look at the data by trade it's landscapers and gardeners (47%), installers (40%), general builders (35%) and electricians (32%) who are most likely to opt for a plain van.
Ged Walsh who is founder of Southern Cross Plumbing and Heating in Manchester told us: “I switched from a branded van to an unbranded one to make myself less of a target for tool theft. All my work comes through word of mouth, so I felt that as long as the van was clean, tidy and professional, I didn’t need the branding. I can still turn up and do the same job, but without advertising that there could be valuable tools inside.”
There's no doubt that switching to unbranded does have an impact on how tradespeople market themselves. While there's no set figure on how much business they win from people spotting their logo or van out and about, it's indisputable that removing that free advertising will mean finding business through other means.
Protection at every level
Removing branding is just one of the ways tradespeople are trying to prevent falling victim to tool theft. More than half (54%) now empty their van completely every night and a similar number (53%) have paid for extra locks, cages, trackers, cameras or tool marking. Just over one in five (21%) have changed where they park or how they store their tools between jobs and 13% have gone further still, swapping their van for a car.
As part of our report, we spoke to Harry Fitzpatrick, a carpenter who works across Kent and south-east London. He's been hit three times and has started turning down jobs where he can't have his van in sight. He said: "Without your tools, there is no income. After being targeted multiple times, I won't take on certain jobs if there isn't somewhere secure to park. The risk is just too high. If your tools are stolen, you can't work, your income stops immediately and it can take weeks to get back up and running." With our claims data showing that 78% of tool theft claims involve theft from motor vehicles, you can see why tradespeople are making those sorts of decisions.
The costs add up
All this work to avoid becoming a target costs money, either directly or indirectly, and none of it happens overnight. Business owners are trying to stay one step ahead of people who want to target them, as well as getting on with the job itself.
When it comes to the question around having an unbranded van or not, there's no simple answer. Losing that local recognition comes at a cost, but there's also a risk in keeping it. What matters most is making sure you're not left exposed if the worst still happens. The right cover means getting back to work quickly, rather than watching a business you've spent years building come to a halt in an instant.
Here are a few key steps to make sure you've covered:
1. Check whether your policy specifically covers tool theft – including if it covers theft from an unattended vehicle – or whether you need to add it on.
2. Make sure your cover reflects the real value of your tools.
3. Keep a clear record of your tools including photos, serial numbers and receipts.
4. Find out how fast your insurance company can process claims and if they can offer access to temporary replacements.
5. Review your cover as your work changes and make sure you have the appropriate protection in place.
