Company kit and tools stolen

[John Matrix]

Hi lads just looking for advice when it comes to Company kit. Things like test kits etc. If they are left in the van and they get stollen is it the electricians responsibility to foot the bill? We are being told to take them in the house. To me this doesn’t seem unreasonable because I have the room in my garage. My tools also get emptied off the van every night and stored away. We have also been told that if we leave our tools in the van and they go missing, they will not be replaced. It’s a hard one because one could argue that our tools are our responsibility. But some lads live in flats etc and have no room for a van full of tools in the house. Should the tools be covered if they get stolen? Are they covered if left on site in a site safe. Any input would be great

thanks in advance

 

[DT1991]

Company issued tools and equipment are the companies responsibility if they cannot secure the van properly ie locks, alarm and van vault that is not your problem, this goes for all hours of the day.

For your own tools and gear during the day I would like to think you are covered but on the night I will say it time and time again!

Whittle your tools down into something that can be rolled in and out your house/flat. A pain in the arse at first but all becomes worth it when you wake up one morning to find your van opened but you've still got your own tools.

 

[Pete999]

Hi lads just looking for advice when it comes to Company kit. Things like test kits etc. If they are left in the van and they get stollen is it the electricians responsibility to foot the bill? We are being told to take them in the house. To me this doesn’t seem unreasonable because I have the room in my garage. My tools also get emptied off the van every night and stored away. We have also been told that if we leave our tools in the van and they go missing, they will not be replaced. It’s a hard one because one could argue that our tools are our responsibility. But some lads live in flats etc and have no room for a van full of tools in the house. Should the tools be covered if they get stolen? Are they covered if left on site in a site safe. Any input would be great

thanks in advance

Doesn't the company in question have all this kit insured? or is it as difficult as the sole trader to insure tools of the trade?

 

[littlespark]

Company vans should have van insurance to cover all the kit inside.
I think mine as self employed is covered for a couple grand for tools and materials.
Which doesn’t quite cover everything if I had to replace with new.
Any insurance company will pay out if all reasonable steps were taken. Ie, don’t leave the van unlocked.

 

[John Matrix]

Doesn't the company in question have all this kit insured? or is it as difficult as the sole trader to insure tools of the trade?

They are saying that the vans are insured if they are at the office. But not outside our houses. I take a van home.

 

[Pete999]

They are saying that the vans are insured if they are at the office. But not outside our houses. I take a van home.

What about when you are travelling between jobs? or parked on site? sounds like BS to me

 

[John Matrix]

Company issued tools and equipment are the companies responsibility if they cannot secure the van properly ie locks, alarm and van vault that is not your problem, this goes for all hours of the day.

For your own tools and gear during the day I would like to think you are covered but on the night I will say it time and time again!

Whittle your tools down into something that can be rolled in and out your house/flat. A pain in the arse at first but all becomes worth it when you wake up one morning to find your van opened but you've still got your own tools.

They are saying we need to empty all company kit too because they will charge us if it goes missing
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What about when you are travelling between jobs? or parked on site? sounds like BS to me

I think it just applies to when the van is outside your house

 

[telectrix]

problem is with a lot of insurance companies doing tools/equipment on vans cover, the small print says "not covered if left unattended 9pm - 6am." I'm self=employed and all tools come off at night, even though they are covered. It's not just the cost of the nicked stuff that matters, it's being unable to work while the insurers process the claim, and even then they write down the values, so if you have a £400 drill that's 5 years old, they value it at maybe£100 rather than replacement cost. beggars the question---- who's the bigger thief, the scroat that breaks into your van or your insurance company. i put it at 50/50.

 

[James]

If they can’t insure the kit whilst the van is parked outside your house, how about offloading all the kit at the office at the end of the working day?

 

[buzzlightyear]

Could you not ask your company to supply a gaurd dog for the van ., any i would be better to empty the van at the
Premises or leave the van and ride home on shanges pony .

 

[DT1991]

I say book time loading and unloading and also charge them for storage daily on a m2 basis.

 

[Midwest]

Taking company vehicle home is a tax incentive as an employee, unless you can show you are on call etc. So be careful there.

Ive read some companies approve taking company vehicles home at night, but should not be driven for personal use between certain hours; therefore no consent, and no insurance if the cops catch you.

 

[John Matrix]

If they can’t insure the kit whilst the van is parked outside your house, how about offloading all the kit at the office at the end of the working day?

I live 45 minutes from the yard so that isn’t an option. Plus like I say i don’t mind unloading every night. It’s more to get opinions for others.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Op your day starts the time you start loading and uloading finished

 

[Andy78]

Your gear is your responsibility and their gear is their responsibility.
If they want their gear insured in their van overnight they should alter their insurance appropriately.
I would NOT be moving it into my garage overnight as the blame would definitely fall on you if your garage got done over. Does your house insurance cover you for their gear in your garage ? Will your firm be paying a portion of your home insurance ?

Would the company pay you out if your tools got taken from the van ? If not then why should you pay if their tools got stolen ?

Is it written into your contract that are liable for work's gear out of work hours ?

 

[Robson689]

I think it all depends on the employment contract. My job comes with a personal company vehicle and we're told not to remove their equipment unless it's being used at the time.

 

[John Matrix]

Your gear is your responsibility and their gear is their responsibility.
If they want their gear insured in their van overnight they should alter their insurance appropriately.
I would NOT be moving it into my garage overnight as the blame would definitely fall on you if your garage got done over. Does your house insurance cover you for their gear in your garage ? Will your firm be paying a portion of your home insurance ?

Would the company pay you out if your tools got taken from the van ? If not then why should you pay if their tools got stolen ?

Is it written into your contract that are liable for work's gear out of work hours ?

I will be taking all kit into the house including the test kit because I don’t see that as unreasonable. If the house got burgled he isn’t going to charge you for the kit getting stolen. If it’s in the house then you have physically done as much as possible to secure it. They ain’t unreasonable by any means but there has to be a bit of give. Like I said it’s more other people with the issue. I don’t mind emptying the van.

 

[Midwest]

Your gear is your responsibility and their gear is their responsibility.
If they want their gear insured in their van overnight they should alter their insurance appropriately.
I would NOT be moving it into my garage overnight as the blame would definitely fall on you if your garage got done over. Does your house insurance cover you for their gear in your garage ? Will your firm be paying a portion of your home insurance ?

Would the company pay you out if your tools got taken from the van ? If not then why should you pay if their tools got stolen ?

Is it written into your contract that are liable for work's gear out of work hours ?

Guess the employer might say, that’s okay then, don’t take our van home with you.

 

[Andy78]

I will be taking all kit into the house including the test kit because I don’t see that as unreasonable. If the house got burgled he isn’t going to charge you for the kit getting stolen. If it’s in the house then you have physically done as much as possible to secure it. They ain’t unreasonable by any means but there has to be a bit of give. Like I said it’s more other people with the issue. I don’t mind emptying the van.

If your home insurance refused to pay out for items taken from the garage are you sure they wouldn't charge you ?
So they would be happy to foot the bill for new gear if it got taken from your garage but not if it got taken from their van ? Makes no sense.

Sorry but if they include a van as part of your contract that can be taken home and kept outside your house then they don't have the correct insurance for this arrangement if they are saying it is not insured out of work hours. If it is insured out of work hours then you don't have to take their gear in.

Like you say, this is easy for you but an unreasonable request for those who may not have the storage for the work's gear.

 

[John Matrix]

Th

Guess the employer might say, that’s okay then, don’t take our van home with you.

is is what I want to avoid. The way I see it we have to have a bit of give

 

[Andy78]

Guess the employer might say, that’s okay then, don’t take our van home with you.

To which the only reasonable alternative solution would be to pick up the van from the yard every day after they have paid your travelling time and vehicle costs.

 

[Midwest]

To which the only reasonable alternative solution would be to pick up the van from the yard every day after they have paid your travelling time and vehicle costs.

As it’s been stated, depends on your contract. Some contracts mean your day starts and finishes at your place of work, not at your home address.

 

[Andy78]

As it’s been stated, depends on your contract. Some contracts mean your day starts and finishes at your place of work, not at your home address.

My point exactly. This contract seems to include a van to take home so the working day starts and ends there. Therefore the van should be appropriately insured for overnight away from the yard.

 

[Midwest]

My point exactly. This contract seems to include a van to take home so the working day starts and ends there. Therefore the van should be appropriately insured for overnight away from the yard.

Suppose the OP should find out exactly or say if he knows. But it’s the employers property, insurance etc. They can tell you how you use it.

 

[David Prosser]

Ask for a copy of your companies "working from home policy" it should all be set out in there.

 

[Risteard]

They are saying we need to empty all company kit too because they will charge us if it goes missing

Tell them that if they do then you will commence legal proceedings against them.

 

[John Matrix]

To which the only reasonable alternative solution would be to pick up the van from the yard every day after they have paid your travelling time and vehicle costs.

How do you work 9 hour days thow plus 3 hours travel and still have time to go to the office every day? Then take another 45 mins to get home. Can’t be done. Would only get 6 hours work done per day. Then spend the rest of the time driving to the office.

 

[Andy78]

How do you work 9 hour days thow plus 3 hours travel and still have time to go to the office every day? Then take another 45 mins to get home. Can’t be done. Would only get 6 hours work done per day. Then spend the rest of the time driving to the office.

Which is why you'd need remuneration for your time. Anyway, that's not even a real situation. The real situation is your company are asking to use your home insurance for their gear when they should be providing their own.

 

[PEG]

With the tool/ insurance job,there are a lot of lads using the words "think,should,and reasonable"
Facts are,if you do not have the specifics written on your insurance,contract of employment,or additional permissions,plus,none of the last page exclusions apply....then you are not certain of cover.

Hope,expect and wish,do not help,when £13,500 worth of kit goes...?

As an extra,i would say that well over half the folk,who obtain insurance over the internet,are not covered to the extent they believe....some not at all.

Some of my lads pals,have had to re-think their insurance,as it did not apply driving to work...not for work,but to work?

 

[Midwest]

I don't see what all the fuss is about. Its the employers property, 'you're' given dispensation to take home a company vehicle, at a benefit to yourself. Your employer is asking you to take additional security measures, which is not unreasonable. I quite often see advice about unloading vans of tools etc overnight.

The only point I take, is the impact this might have on your household insurance in terms of cover & increased premiums. If that does alter your circumstances, then the individual might need to reassess, whether to take the vehicle home.