As the tool theft pandemic shows little sign of slowing down, we learn more about two professionals from alternative trades who have decided to fight back with the help of a new protection service.
Heating engineer is hot on the case
Founded and led by Matt Green, Reheat has established itself as a trusted local business in Richmond-upon-Thames and the surrounding area. However, the heart of Reheat’s success lies in the tools used by its engineers, which like most tradespeople, makes them a prime target for thieves.
The unfortunate reality is that van and tool theft has become an increasingly prevalent concern for tradespeople in recent years, with a staggering 150% increase in van break-ins within the UK over the past two years alone, averaging one every 19 minutes. Shockingly, 86% of the culprits go unpunished.
The impact of tool theft extends beyond the financial aspect. Insurance settlements often take weeks or months to process, and without their tools, tradespeople are unable to work, leading to an average daily income loss of £350. Some installers have even been unable to file claims due to not meeting specific policy requirements.
Despite Matt’s awareness of the risk of tool theft and his efforts to secure his vans, his company fell victim to theft when one of his engineers parked his van in a supermarket car park during the early evening, only to return and discover it had been broken into. The thieves made off with expensive and vital tools, resulting in a significant financial loss and operational disruption for Reheat.
Facing these challenges, he turned to ARMD, a service tailored for tradespeople. ARMD’s user-friendly App, smart van alarm and tracker, in combination with innovative insurance, offer comprehensive protection in four key ways: recording, protecting, insuring and replacing.
ARMD’s tool insurance is specifically designed to assist tradespeople in swiftly recovering from theft incidents, providing comprehensive coverage 24/7, so eliminating the need to remove tools from vans at night. In the event of a claim, tradespeople can automatically submit a Claim Report directly from the App, streamlining the process and minimising business disruptions.
The ARMD GUARD Smart Van Alarm and tracker offer an added layer of protection, notifying users of break-ins via a phone call and enabling immediate action. GPS tracking aids in the location and recovery of stolen vans, giving peace of mind to business owners like Matt.
Auto business recovers from shocking raid
James Flamson is a skilled, self-employed auto-technician with extensive experience who, over the years, has worked with renowned automotive companies like Renault. Over time, his business has transitioned from servicing customer vehicles to installing camera and safety systems on trucks through to camper van conversions. Nowadays, James finds himself spending more time on the road than in the workshop, making his van – and the tools within it – vital to his business operations.
When it comes to building camper van conversions, James relies on a wide range of tools: sanders, drills, angle grinders, nail guns, ratchets, impact drivers… the list is endless. Having accumulated this inventory over the years, he remembers the challenges he faced at the beginning and understands how devastating it would have been to lose his tools.
During the early stages of ARMD’s development, James came across an advertisement for the App. Little did he know that it would prove invaluable when the unthinkable happened last October — the unit where his camper van business is based was broken into and his tools were stolen. However, thanks to ARMD, the claims process was incredibly straightforward.
“I wasn’t using the App at the time, but I used all my email receipts for tools, worked out what was gone, added it all onto the App and submitted my claim,” James explains.
“It was easy to make a claim via the App and I simply listed all the tools from my inventory that were missing, went on holiday and then the money came into my account. I could then order all my tools before I even got home! It was a really smooth process – from submitting the claim to getting the money, it took less than a week.”
James has since listed all his tools on the ARMD App, which not only proves useful for potential future claims but also provides him with a comprehensive overview of his inventory, including the age of each tool. This feature allows him to maintain an up-to-date record of his tools.
“The App is easy to use. If you have receipts, get them all added in. But if you want to, you can photograph your tools and use that as well to help with proving purchase. You can add photos just as easily as any other information,” James adds.
Get more details on ARMD’s total tool protection package here
