Truck Theft: "My Truck Was Stolen with $10k of Dewalt Tools: Auto vs. Inland Marine."

Truck Theft: “My Truck Was Stolen with $10k of Dewalt Tools: Auto vs. Inland Marine.”

I watched the security footage of my Ford F-250 rolling out of the driveway at 3 AM. It wasn’t just the $60,000 truck that hurt; it was the Milwaukee Packouts, the laser levels, and the compressors in the bed—about $12,000 worth of gear I’ve collected over five years. When I called my commercial auto agent, he gave me the bad news: “We pay for the truck. The tools aren’t part of the vehicle. You get $0 for those.”

Key Takeaways

Commercial Auto Excludes Cargo: Your standard business auto policy covers the vehicle frame and permanently installed equipment (like a welded rack), not the loose tools inside.
You Need “Inland Marine”: This is the specific policy type (often called a “Tool Floater”) that covers movable equipment anywhere it goes.
Keep Your Receipts: In 2026, claims are processed by AI. If you don’t have a receipt or a photo of the serial number, the algorithm denies the item.
The “Permanently Attached” Rule: If it’s bolted down (like a generator), auto insurance might cover it. If it’s strapped down, they won’t.

The “Why” (The Trap): The Unattached Equipment Exclusion

The trap is in the definition of “Covered Auto.”

Most Commercial Auto policies (ISO Form CA 00 01) state they cover the vehicle and its “equipment.” However, the fine print defines equipment as items “permanently installed” by the manufacturer or an upfitter.

Loose tools, even if they are in a locked toolbox in the bed, are considered “Business Personal Property.” Commercial Auto does not cover Personal Property. For that, you need a completely different policy called Inland Marine (a holdover term from when insurance covered goods on ships, now applied to goods on trucks).

The Investigation: “I Called Them”

I ran a simulation for a stolen truck with $10k in tools to see who pays.

1. Progressive Commercial (Auto Only)

The Verdict: They covered the truck’s Actual Cash Value. They denied the tools entirely.
The Upsell: They offered a “Light Commercial” endorsement that added $1,000 for “Personal Effects,” but that barely covered my impact driver and batteries.

2. Next Insurance (Bundled)

The Verdict: Because I had their “Pro Plus” bundle (General Liability + Auto + Tools), the tools were covered under the Tools & Equipment section, subject to a separate deductible ($500).
My Analysis: Bundling is the safest route. It closes the gap between the truck and the cargo.

3. Determining “Attached” (State Farm)

The Test: I asked about a ladder rack.
The Answer: Since the rack was bolted to the frame, it was covered under Auto. The ladder on the rack was not.

Comparison Table: Truck vs. Tool Coverage

Scenario	Commercial Auto Policy	Inland Marine (Tool Floater)	Homeowners Policy
Stolen Truck	Covered	Not Covered	Not Covered
Stolen Ladder Rack (Bolted)	Covered	Not Covered	Not Covered
Stolen Drills (Loose)	Denied	Covered	Denied (Business Exclusion)
Stolen Materials (Copper)	Denied	Covered (Installation Floater)	Denied

Step-by-Step Action Plan

Inventory Now: Stop what you are doing. Walk to your truck. Take a video on your phone opening every drawer. Capture the serial numbers. Upload this to the cloud.
Buy Inland Marine: Call your broker and ask specifically for a “Contractors Equipment Floater” or “Inland Marine” policy. It costs ~ 30−30− 50/month for $10k coverage.
Audit Your “Attached” Gear: If you have a fancy shelving unit or ladder rack, ensure your Auto policy lists “Custom Parts & Equipment” (CPE) value. Standard policies might cap this at $1,000.
Use AirTags/Tiles: In 2026, police rarely hunt for stolen tools, but they will act if you show them a live GPS location of your Packout stack.

FAQ

Q: Does my Homeowners insurance cover tools in my truck?
A: No. Homeowners policies have a “Business Pursuits” exclusion. If the tools are for your job, they are excluded from your home policy.

Q: What if the truck was unlocked?
A: Inland Marine often requires “Visible Signs of Forced Entry.” If you left it unlocked, you might be out of luck unless you have a “Mysterious Disappearance” rider.

Q: Does it cover the tool box itself?
A: If the toolbox is bolted to the bed, Auto covers it. If it is a floating job-box, Inland Marine covers it.

[IMAGE: Diagram showing a truck: Green highlight on “Auto Policy” (tires, engine, bolted rack), Red highlight on “Inland Marine” (drills in bed, loose ladder).]I watched the security footage of my Ford F-250 rolling out of the driveway at 3 AM. It wasn’t just the $60,000 truck that hurt; it was the Milwaukee Packouts, the laser levels, and the compressors in the bed—about $12,000 worth of gear I’ve collected over five years. When I called my commercial auto agent, he gave me the bad news: “We pay for the truck. The tools aren’t part of the vehicle. You get $0 for those.”