I got into a dispute on a job site. Another sub claimed my miter saw was his. It was a standard DeWalt; looked just like his. I flipped it over. “Blue Sky Construction” was engraved into the plastic motor housing. He walked away. But does this help with insurance?
Key Takeaways
- Proof of Ownership: Engraving doesn’t lower your premiums, but it is the ultimate “Proof of Ownership” during a claim. It stops the adjuster from asking, “Are you sure this wasn’t the other guy’s saw?”
- Recovery Aid: Police recover thousands of tools they can’t return because they are generic. An engraved phone number or company name gets the tool back to you.
- Branding Iron vs. Engraver: Hot branding (melting the plastic) is better than scratching. It is permanent and impossible to sand off without destroying the casing.
- Asset Tags: Barcode stickers are good for inventory, but thieves peel them off. Branding/Engraving is for security.
The “Why” (The Trap): The “Generic Description” Problem
When you file a claim, you say: “Stolen: DeWalt 20V Drill.”
The adjuster says: “Prove you owned it.”
You show a receipt from 2023.
The adjuster says: “How do we know you still had it?”
If you have a photo of the drill with your custom marking, that claim is paid instantly. It removes ambiguity.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I asked adjusters if marking tools matters.
1. Speed of Claim
- Adjuster Consensus: “If you send me a police report saying ‘Tools marked with XYZ Construction were stolen,’ and photos of your tools with that mark, I’m approving that claim in 24 hours.”
2. Premium Discounts
- Agent Consensus: “No direct discount.” Unlike a GPS tracker or a central alarm, etching your name doesn’t statistically reduce theft attempts, so there’s no premium drop.
3. Resale Value
- The Downside: Marking tools lowers their resale value. But you buy tools to work, not to resell.
Comparison Table: Marking Methods
| Method | Security Level | Insurance Benefit | Cost |
| Sharpie Marker | Low (Solvent removes) | Low | $1 |
| Asset Tag (Sticker) | Medium (Peelable) | High (Inventory) | $0.50/ea |
| Engraving/Branding | High (Permanent) | High (Proof) | Time |
| GPS Tracker | Very High | High (Recovery) | $20/ea |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Pick a Unique Mark: Don’t just put initials. Put your LLC name or the last 4 digits of your phone number.
- Mark in Two Spots: One visible (deterrent), one hidden (inside the battery compartment). If they grind off the visible one, the hidden one proves ownership to the police.
- Paint Code: Spray painting all your batteries neon pink or green is the cheapest anti-theft device. Thieves hate unique items that are hard to pawn.
- Photo the Mark: Take a picture of the tool showing the mark and the serial number in the same frame.
FAQ
Q: Does engraving void the warranty?
A: Technically, no (Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act), unless the engraving damaged the internal components. Engraving the plastic shell is fine.
Q: Can I use UV ink?
A: Yes, “Invisible Ink” is cool, but if the pawn shop/police don’t check with a UV light, it’s useless. Visible branding is a better deterrent.
[IMAGE: Photo of a cordless drill with “PROPERTY OF [NAME]” branded into the plastic casing.]