Insurance for tools in van
Insure tools in a van with contractor's tools and equipment coverage, either an inland marine policy or a tools endorsement on a businessowners policy. The van's business auto form pays for loss to a covered auto "or its equipment" and never mentions tools. ISO's tools endorsement, BP 07 01, covers tools you own or have in your care while they are away from your premises, under a blanket limit with a per-item cap or a limit for each scheduled item. It pays for theft from an unattended van only if the van was locked and shows visible signs of forced entry.
Updated . Written by Andre Beukers, principal at Redoubt, a commercial insurance agency in Salt Lake City, not a government office.
Can you insure tools in a van, and what policy does it?
Yes. The business auto form's physical damage coverage pays for loss "to a covered 'auto' or its equipment" and does not mention tools, so the drills, meters and ladders in the back belong on a policy written for them. That is contractor's equipment insurance, a kind of inland marine. The Hartford, describing a version it sells to midsize and large businesses, says it "helps cover construction equipment, tools and machinery against damage or loss while at a jobsite, in transit or in temporary storage."
It comes as a standalone inland marine policy or as an endorsement. ISO's businessowners endorsement, BP 07 01, covers tools "that you own, or that you do not own but that are in your care, custody or control" and says "This property is covered while away from the described premises." ERGO NEXT sells it "as an add-on to general liability insurance for contractors and cleaning businesses." Whatever a quote calls it, ask for the form number and read its limits, theft clause and exclusions. Redoubt helps Utah contractors with tools and equipment coverage as well as their commercial auto and general liability.
Doesn't my business insurance already cover equipment in the van?
Only up to a small limit, and only on one of them. General liability excludes property damage to "Property you own, rent, or occupy." The auto form does not mention tools. ISO's businessowners form, 08 24 edition, covers business personal property, including "Property you own that is used in your business," at the described premises or "in a vehicle" within 1,000 feet of it; beyond that, its off-premises extension can pay up to $10,000 for that property "in the course of transit or at a premises you do not own, lease or operate," unless the declarations show more.
That $10,000 is for all the business's covered property off premises, not tools alone. When BP 07 01 is attached, it adds "Tools and equipment" to the businessowners form's property not covered, except as the endorsement's own coverages provide, and says the extension "does not apply to property covered under" them. Your policy's edition controls; check the distance and the limit in its wording.
| Policy | Tools in the van | Form wording |
|---|---|---|
| Business auto, CA 00 01 | The van or its equipment; tools not mentioned | Physical damage grant |
| General liability, CG 00 01 | Excludes your own property | Exclusion j.(1) |
| Businessowners, BP 00 03 | Within 1,000 feet; up to $10,000 in transit or off premises | Covered Property b.; extension 6.b |
| BP 07 01, or an inland marine floater | Tools away from the premises | Coverage 2 |
What is the difference between blanket and scheduled tool coverage?
Blanket coverage is one limit over all the tools; scheduled coverage gives each listed item its own limit. Under BP 07 01's blanket limit, "the most we will pay for direct physical loss of or damage to any one tool or any one piece of equipment is the applicable per-item sub-limit shown in the Schedule," set at $500, $1,000 or $2,000. A scheduled item is paid up to "the Limit Of Insurance shown in the Schedule for that item." A drain camera worth more than the cap belongs on the schedule, or a loss pays only the cap.
Insureon says a piece worth more than $2,500 "may need to be listed separately on the policy with its own scheduled limit," so ask the carrier where its line sits, whatever name the quote gives the coverage.
Check valuation too. BP 07 01 lets the schedule switch the blanket limit to actual cash value, and The Hartford lists "Replacement cost coverage for equipment that’s less than five years old" for its own product. Ask which one applies to your tools.
Are tools covered if they are stolen from the van overnight?
Under ISO's form, yes, if the van was locked and the thief broke in. BP 07 01 excludes theft "from any unattended vehicle unless, at the time of theft, the vehicle's windows, doors and compartments were closed and locked, and there are visible signs that the theft was a result of forced entry." An unlocked van or an open window fails that test. The ISO clause sets no hours or parking rules. If a quote is on another form, read its theft clause for the same points.
Tools stolen from your own shop raise a different policy. ERGO NEXT says that for gear stolen "from a work space that you own or lease, such as a warehouse, workshop, or home garage, commercial property insurance could be the type of business insurance that could cover its theft or damage."
A break-in can mean two claims. If the van carries physical damage coverage, its Comprehensive Coverage pays for loss to the covered auto "From any cause except" collision or overturn, and a broken window or lock is loss to the auto; the tools go to the tools coverage. Redoubt suggests photographing the van before it is repaired, since the BP 07 01 condition is visible signs of forced entry.
What is an installation floater, and how is it different from an equipment floater?
A tools or equipment floater covers what you work with; an installation floater covers what you are putting in. BP 07 01 has both. Its installation coverage reaches "Materials, supplies, equipment, machinery and fixtures owned by you or in your care, custody or control, and which are to be installed by you or at your direction," at the job site, in transit or in temporary storage, until the buyer accepts the work or, at the latest, "90 days after the project to be performed by you for the purchaser is completed, unless we specify a different date in writing."
Each side excludes the other. Installation coverage leaves out "Machinery, tools, equipment, supplies or similar property that does not become a permanent part of the project," and tools coverage leaves out "Property that is or will become a permanent part of any building or structure." The water heater and the spool of wire in a plumber's or electrician's van are installation property; the press tool and the drill are tools. A van carrying both needs both limits.
Is tool insurance different for electricians, plumbers, mechanics or landscapers?
The form is the same; what goes on it changes. An electrician or plumber carrying fixtures and wire has the installation split above. A shop whose mechanics bring their own tools meets the employees' rule: BP 07 01's tools coverage excludes "Your employees' (including temporary or leased employees') tools," and its separate employees' tools line pays at most $2,500 for "all tools of any one employee." A mechanic whose tools are worth more needs the rest insured another way.
A mobile mechanic's tools fit; a customer's car does not, because the list of property not covered opens with aircraft, watercraft and automobiles and ends with "trucks and vehicles primarily designed and licensed for road use." Landscapers' mowers are not on that list, and Insureon names "lawn mowers" among the items a tools policy covers. The trailer is different: the auto form defines an auto as "A land motor vehicle, 'trailer' or semitrailer designed for travel on public roads," so ask whether the trailer is a covered auto on your auto policy, and put the mowers on the tools coverage.
How much does tool insurance cost, and is it worth it?
Published figures are vendors' statements about their own customers. Insureon says "Small businesses pay an average of $48 per month for tools and equipment insurance. Annual premiums range from around $150 to over $4,500 per year," a median of policies sold to its customers (page updated 2026-05-27). ERGO NEXT says tools coverage "when added to a general liability insurance policy, can cost as little as $38/month" for some low-risk businesses; that is ERGO NEXT's price for general liability with tools added, based on its active policies as of April 1, 2026.
ERGO NEXT lists "The value of your tools, machinery, safety gear and other equipment" among its price factors. Whether it is worth it is arithmetic: what it would cost to replace everything in the van on its fullest day, less the deductible, against a year of premium.
What to send for a tools quote
A list sets the blanket limit, the per-item cap and the schedule in one pass.
- 1.Tools and equipment list with replacement values, by van
- 2.Items over $1,000: make, model, serial number, and a receipt or photo
- 3.The most any one van carries on its fullest day
- 4.Where each van parks overnight and how it is locked
- 5.Employee-owned tools on the job, and their value per person
- 6.Rented or borrowed equipment and the rental agreements
- 7.Installation materials you carry, and the largest job's materials value
- 8.Current auto, liability and businessowners declarations pages
- 9.Tool theft or damage in the last five years, with dates and amounts
Are rented tools covered?
Not by the main tools line on ISO's form, which excludes equipment rented from others unless you lease it for six months or more. Short rentals go under BP 07 01's separate non-owned tools coverage, which applies only when a limit is shown for it.
Is there a separate deductible for tools?
On BP 07 01, yes, when the schedule shows one, and no other deductible applies to it. If one event damages tools and other property with their own deductibles, the form reduces the larger deductible by the amount of the smaller.
Where these answers come from
Each entry carries the exact words of the source so you can check it yourself. Forms, rules and carrier pages change; read the current version before acting.
- 1. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Business Auto Coverage Form, Section III.A.1, physical damage coverage
“We will pay for "loss" to a covered "auto" or its equipment under: a. Comprehensive Coverage From any cause except: (1) The covered "auto's" collision with another object; or (2) The covered "auto's" overturn.”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. The form does not use the word "tools" and does not define "equipment". - 2. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Business Auto Coverage Form, Section V.B, definition of auto
“A land motor vehicle, "trailer" or semitrailer designed for travel on public roads; or”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. - 3. ISO CG 00 01 12 25, Commercial General Liability Coverage Form, exclusion j.(1), damage to property
“"Property damage" to: (1) Property you own, rent, or occupy, including any costs or expenses incurred by you, or any other person, organization or entity, for repair, replacement, enhancement, restoration or maintenance of such property”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. - 4. ISO BP 00 03 08 24, Businessowners Coverage Form, Section I.A.1.b, where business personal property is covered
“Business Personal Property located in or on the buildings or structures at the described premises or in the open (or in a vehicle) within 1,000 feet of the buildings or structures or within 1,000 feet of the premises described in the Declarations, whichever distance is greater, including: (1) Property you own that is used in your business;”
law.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. - 5. ISO BP 00 03 08 24, Businessowners Coverage Form, Coverage Extension 6.b, Personal Property Off-premises
“while it is in the course of transit or at a premises you do not own, lease or operate. The most we will pay for loss or damage under this extension is $10,000, unless a higher Limit Of Insurance for Personal Property”
law.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. The sentence ends "Off-premises is shown in the Declarations." - 6. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, Contractors' Installation, Tools And Equipment Coverage, D.2.a, Coverage 2
“that you own, or that you do not own but that are in your care, custody or control. This property is covered while away from the described premises.”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. The sentence opens "Tools and equipment, including their: (1) Accessories, whether or not attached; and (2) Spare parts". - 7. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, paragraph A.1, tools added to the businessowners form's property not covered
“The following is added to Paragraph A.2. Property Not Covered: k. Tools and equipment, including their:”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. Paragraph A.2 continues: "However, Paragraph A.1. of this endorsement does not apply to the extent that coverage is provided under" Coverages 1 to 4. - 8. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, paragraph B, the Personal Property Off-premises extension
“This extension does not apply to property covered under the following:”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. The list that follows names Coverages 1 to 4 of the endorsement. - 9. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, D.2.e.(1), blanket limit and per-item sub-limit
“Subject to the blanket Limit Of Insurance shown in the Schedule, the most we will pay for direct physical loss of or damage to any one tool or any one piece of equipment is the applicable per-item sub-limit shown in the Schedule.”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. The Schedule offers the per-item sub-limit at $500, $1,000 or $2,000 "for any one item." - 10. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, D.2.e.(2), scheduled limit
“The most we will pay in any one occurrence for direct physical loss of or damage to each item of Covered Property under this Coverage 2 that is individually described in the Schedule is the Limit Of Insurance shown in the Schedule for that item.”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. - 11. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, paragraph F, actual cash value option
“If the Schedule indicates that the Actual Cash Value Option applies, for Coverage 2, we will determine the value of property subject to the blanket Limit of Insurance at actual cash value.”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. - 12. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, D.2.d.(1), theft from an unattended vehicle
“Theft of any property covered under this Coverage 2 from any unattended vehicle unless, at the time of theft, the vehicle's windows, doors and compartments were closed and locked, and there are visible signs that the theft was a result of forced entry.”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. The paragraph continues: "But this exclusion does not apply to property in the custody of a carrier for hire." - 13. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, D.1.a.(2)(a), Coverage 1, contractors' installation property
“Materials, supplies, equipment, machinery and fixtures owned by you or in your care, custody or control, and which are to be installed by you or at your direction”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. - 14. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, D.1.a, where installation property is covered
“This property is covered while: (i) At any job site you do not own, lease or operate; (ii) Awaiting and during installation, or awaiting acceptance by the purchaser; (iii) In transit; or (iv) At a "temporary storage location".”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. - 15. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, D.1.b.(5), when installation coverage ends
“90 days after the project to be performed by you for the purchaser is completed, unless we specify a different date in writing.”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. Coverage also ends at policy expiry, acceptance by the purchaser, the end of your interest, or abandonment of the project, whichever occurs first. - 16. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, D.1.d.(4), property not covered by the installation coverage
“Machinery, tools, equipment, supplies or similar property that does not become a permanent part of the project. This includes contractors' equipment and other tools belonging to a contractor or subcontractor.”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. - 17. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, D.2.c.(3), property not covered by the tools coverage
“Property that is or will become a permanent part of any building or structure;”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. Item (6) of the same list also removes materials and fixtures "which are to be installed by you or at your direction." - 18. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, D.2.c.(9), employees' tools not covered by Coverage 2
“Your employees' (including temporary or leased employees') tools.”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. - 19. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, D.4.b, Coverage 4, employees' tools limit
“Subject to the Coverage 4 – Employees' Tools Coverage Limit of Insurance, the most we will pay for direct physical loss of or damage to all tools of any one employee is $2,500.”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. - 20. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, D.2.b, vehicles removed from Coverage 2
“snowmobiles, trucks and vehicles primarily designed and licensed for road use;”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. The last item of the list, which opens "Aircraft, watercraft, their equipment or parts; automobiles;". - 21. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, D.3.a, Coverage 3, non-owned tools and equipment
“Contractors' non-owned tools and equipment leased or rented from others that are in your care, custody or control.”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. Coverage 3 applies "When a Limit Of Insurance is shown in the Schedule" for it. Coverage 2 excludes the same rented property "but this does not apply to non-owned tools and equipment you lease for a term of six months or more." - 22. ISO BP 07 01 08 24, paragraph E, deductibles
“If a Deductible is shown in the Schedule, we will not pay for loss or damage to property covered under this endorsement in any one occurrence until the amount of loss or damage exceeds such deductible. No other Deductible applies to such coverage.”
assets.alm.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ISO form, public copy; the same edition is held in Redoubt's forms library. A carrier's own form or edition can differ. When one occurrence also hits other covered property, "the larger of these deductibles shall be reduced by the amount of the smaller deductible." - 23. The Hartford, Contractor's Equipment Insurance, FAQ
“Contractor’s Equipment insurance is a type of Inland Marine insurance that helps cover construction equipment, tools and machinery against damage or loss while at a jobsite, in transit or in temporary storage.”
thehartford.com, accessed October 3, 2026. A carrier describing its own product, which the page offers to midsize and large businesses. - 24. The Hartford, Contractor's Equipment Insurance, coverage advantages
“Replacement cost coverage for equipment that’s less than five years old”
thehartford.com, accessed October 3, 2026. A feature of The Hartford's own contractor's equipment product, not of every form. - 25. ERGO NEXT, Tools and Equipment Insurance, what it is
“Tools and equipment insurance, also called inland marine insurance, could help with costs if your work gear gets stolen or damaged on a job site. At ERGO NEXT, this coverage is available as an add-on to general liability insurance for contractors and cleaning businesses.”
nextinsurance.com, accessed October 3, 2026. The insurer describing its own product. Page metadata dated 2026-09-23. - 26. ERGO NEXT, Tools and Equipment Insurance FAQ, does it cover stolen tools
“But if your gear is stolen from a work space that you own or lease, such as a warehouse, workshop, or home garage, commercial property insurance could be the type of business insurance that could cover its theft or damage.”
nextinsurance.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ERGO NEXT describing its own product. The sentence before: "If your tools or other work gear are stolen in transit to or from a job site or at the construction site, commercial, residential or other location where you’re working, they could be covered by your business equipment insurance policy." - 27. ERGO NEXT, Tools and Equipment Insurance, how much it costs
“Tools insurance for contractors and cleaners, when added to a general liability insurance policy, can cost as little as $38/month† for some low-risk businesses.”
nextinsurance.com, accessed October 3, 2026. ERGO NEXT's own price. The page heads the figure "How much does General Liability insurance with Tools and Equipment insurance cost?"; the † footnote says starting prices "are representations of existing premiums of active policies as of April 1, 2026." - 28. ERGO NEXT, Tools and Equipment Insurance, price factors
“Several factors can influence the price of your tools insurance quote, including: Your industry and business operations. The value of your tools, machinery, safety gear and other equipment.”
nextinsurance.com, accessed October 3, 2026. The list continues with the size of the business, where it does business, and how much coverage is chosen. - 29. Insureon, Tools and Equipment Insurance Cost
“Small businesses pay an average of $48 per month for tools and equipment insurance. Annual premiums range from around $150 to over $4,500 per year.”
insureon.com, accessed October 3, 2026. A broker's statement about policies sold to its own customers. Page dateModified 2026-05-27. - 30. Insureon, Tools and Equipment Insurance Cost, how the figure is calculated
“Our figures are calculated using the median cost of policies sold by leading insurance companies to Insureon's small business customers.”
insureon.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Insureon calls the figure an average and computes it as a median. - 31. Insureon, Tools and Equipment Insurance Cost, coverage limits
“Any piece of equipment valued at more than $2,500, such as a bulldozer, excavator, backhoe, or other heavy equipment, may need to be listed separately on the policy with its own scheduled limit.”
insureon.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Quoted as what Insureon says about the policies it sells. - 32. Insureon, Tools and Equipment Insurance Cost, what the policy covers
“A tools and equipment policy covers items that are in transit, stored off-site, or used at jobsites, such as hand tools, power tools, laptops, lawn mowers, or inventory.”
insureon.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Quoted as what Insureon says about the policies it sells. - 33. Redoubt, Utah contractor insurance page
“Redoubt helps Utah contractors get the right coverage and paperwork sorted — general liability, workers comp, commercial auto, tools and equipment, and the certificates your GCs, clients, property managers, and job sites ask for.”
www.redoubt.insure, accessed October 3, 2026
Tools were stolen from the van or trailer, or the owner wants them covered before they are
Contractors' tools and equipment: what commercial auto leaves out, inland marine and tool floaters, and what to schedule.
Elsewhere on the site
Tools ride in the van every day?
Text Redoubt a rough tool list with replacement values, where the van parks overnight, and the policies you carry now. We will tell you which policy picks up the tools, what its theft clause asks of you, and what belongs on a schedule.
This is general insurance information, not legal advice or a coverage determination. The policy forms, the endorsements the carrier issues, and the requirement in writing from whoever is asking control.