Protect Your Business From Tool Theft Pests

Did you know your tools and equipment are hot ticket items for thieves in Australia?

According to the BizCover Business Theft Report 2025, trades businesses are the fourth most stolen-from sector among BizCover claims.

For tradies, the bad news doesn’t stop there: tools are the second-most-stolen item, behind cash.

Other frequently stolen items that many tradies rely on — including phones, laptops and tablets — also rank in the top 10.

These thefts can hit hard and really set things back.

Replacing stolen tools and equipment can cost thousands of dollars, potentially bringing work to a standstill while new gear is purchased or rented.

For small trade businesses operating on tight margins, that kind of speedbump can quickly become a serious financial strain.

The BizCover report also found May and September are the most common months for business theft claims, highlighting that the problem is both widespread and persistent.

A wider trend

National statistics paint a similar picture.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, theft reached a 21-year high in recent data releases.

The ABS also recorded 217,600 incidents of theft from motor vehicles, with tools accounting for 15 per cent of reported thefts (33,200 incidents).

In Victoria alone, the Crime Statistics Agency lists power tools and tools among the top 10 most stolen property types, with a combined 34,600 reports in 2025⁴.
For tradies who store tools in utes, trailers or home garages, these figures highlight just how common the risk can be.

Protect your gear

Because tools and equipment are essential to getting the job done, many tradies consider insurance options to reduce the financial impact of theft.

Portable Equipment cover can help protect tools that you leave secured when they travel with you to jobsites, while Theft insurance covers you against loss and damage as a result of theft or attempted theft from your business premises. Damage to the building, locks and safes as a result of a covered event will also be covered.

Both are optional cover available through a Business Insurance Package which you can tailor for your business needs. Together, these types of cover can help tradies protect the tools, equipment and stock they rely on every day.

Hands off

BizCover has seen first-hand how damaging thefts can be.

In one claim example, an air-conditioning installer discovered their trailer had been stolen overnight from their property, along with more than $12,000 worth of stock. Because they had added Theft cover to their Business Insurance Package, the claim was assessed and $10,000 was paid.

For tradies, protecting tools isn’t just about replacing equipment — it’s about keeping the business running.

The provision of the claims examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be seen as an indication as to how any potential claim will be assessed or accepted. Coverage for claims on the policy will be determined by the insurer, not BizCover.