We were framing a house in a “safe” neighborhood, so we left the compressor and the chop saw in the garage overnight to save setup time. The next morning, the garage side door was kicked in. The saw, the compressor, and two nail guns were gone. I filed a claim, but the adjuster asked, “Was the site secured with a fence and active monitoring?”
Key Takeaways
- “Unattended Vehicle” vs. “Jobsite”: Tool policies often differentiate between tools stolen from a locked vehicle and tools stolen from a jobsite. Jobsite coverage is stricter.
- The “Installation Floater”: This covers materials (like lumber or copper pipe) left on site. It often does not cover your tools unless specified.
- Secure Storage Requirement: Most policies require tools left overnight to be in a locked gang box or a locked structure. Leaving them loose in a garage might be considered “negligence.”
- Police Report is Mandatory: You cannot claim this without an official police report detailing the forced entry.
The “Why” (The Trap): The “Care, Custody, and Control” & Security Clauses
Insurers know job sites are high-risk. The trap here is the Protective Safeguards Endorsement.
Your policy might say: “We cover theft from a jobsite provided that the site is locked and secured.”
If the client’s garage door didn’t have a deadbolt, or if you can’t prove the door was locked (no sign of forced entry), the insurer argues you failed to secure the property. Furthermore, standard Property insurance covers your office, not the client’s house. You need “Off-Premises” coverage.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I compared carriers on their “overnight” rules.
1. Travelers (Inland Marine)
- The Rule: They cover tools at a “temporary location” (the jobsite), but there is a sub-limit (e.g., $5,000 max per site).
- The Catch: They required “visible evidence of forced entry” into the structure.
2. The Hartford
- The Rule: They offer an “Installation Floater” that covers materials and tools.
- The Catch: They required tools to be in a “locked storage container” (Gang Box) if left after hours. Loose tools on the floor were excluded.
3. Toolbox (App-based)
- The Rule: Designed for trades. They covered it, but the deductible was high ($1,000) because it was considered a “high-risk” storage situation.
Comparison Table: Overnight Storage Coverage
| Scenario | Standard Property Policy | Contractors Equipment Policy | Installation Floater |
| Tools in Locked Gang Box | Denied (Off-premises) | Covered | Covered |
| Tools Loose in Locked Garage | Denied | Covered (Usually) | Varies |
| Tools Loose in Open Framing | Denied | Denied (Negligence) | Denied |
| Lumber/Materials Stolen | Denied | Denied | Covered |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Buy a Job Box: Get a Knaack or similar steel box. Chain it to a stud. Insurers love these. If tools are stolen from inside a locked gang box, the claim is almost always paid.
- Photo Documentation: Every night, take a photo of the locked door or the locked box before you leave. In 2026, timestamps are your best defense against “negligence” accusations.
- Check Your “Off-Premises” Limit: Look at your policy. It might list “Business Personal Property” at $50,000, but “Property Off-Premises” at only $2,500. Upgrade that limit.
- Clarify “Materials” vs. “Tools”: If copper wire is stolen, that’s an Installation Floater claim. If wire strippers are stolen, that’s a Tool Floater claim. You usually need both.
FAQ
Q: If the homeowner has insurance, does that cover my tools?
A: No. Their policy covers their stuff. They have no “insurable interest” in your tools.
Q: Does a Ring camera count as “Active Monitoring”?
A: It helps prove theft, but it doesn’t lower your premiums or waive the “locked door” requirement.
[IMAGE: Screenshot of a policy clause highlighting “Property Off-Premises” sub-limit of $2,500.]