If you rely on your van for work you will not only be keen to keep it running efficiently, but you will want to maximise its security too. Vans are often a target for opportunistic thieves, especially if they think there are valuable tools, equipment, and other important belongings inside.

Read on to find out the dangers of van theft and how it can be avoided with our advice on maximising van safety. We’ve also included useful tips on how criminals target your van to help minimise being targeted for theft in the first place.

The Cost Of Van And Tool Theft

Losing your van or tools to theft isn’t just frustrating, it’s financially devastating. Here’s why:

Business disruption and lost revenue

If your van is gone, so is your ability to work. That means:

  • Missed deadlines and disappointed customers
  • A knock to your reputation
  • Potentially losing contracts to competitors
  • The monetary impact can add up fast, with lost revenue potentially reaching thousands per day.

Tool replacement costs

If your van is stolen with all your tools inside, you’re looking at a serious financial hit. The average set of trade tools (both manual and power) can be worth thousands. Even with insurance, sourcing and replacing tools can take weeks, leaving you unable to work in the meantime.

Van theft: A costly loss

As if the financial hit of a stolen van isn’t bad enough, the cost of lost shelving, security systems, and modifications makes it even worse. A stolen van isn’t just a vehicle, it’s a major business investment gone.

Rising insurance premiums

Insurance may help cover some losses, but there’s always a catch. Deductibles, policy limits, and long claims processes can leave you out of pocket. Plus, a stolen van means higher premiums in the future, adding to your ongoing costs.

Hidden costs and admin nightmares

Beyond the upfront financial losses, theft comes with a mountain of admin. You’ll need to:

  • Report the theft to the police
  • File insurance claims
  • Arrange temporary transport
  • Source and buy replacement tools
  • Register, tax, and insure a new van

All of this takes time and energy, time that could be spent working and earning money.

Operational setbacks

No van means no tools, no transport, and no work getting done on time. Clients don’t like delays, and if jobs run late, it could put future contracts at risk. Plus, dealing with theft can be a logistical headache. Filing police reports, coordinating insurance claims, and scrambling for replacements takes valuable time and focus away from running your business.

Lastly, theft doesn’t just hit your wallet, it affects your team too. Workers rely on their tools to get the job done. Losing them can cause frustration, stress, and even a drop in productivity.

The Bottom Line: 

Van and tool theft isn’t just about replacing what’s lost—it’s about the ripple effect on your business. Rising costs, lost work, admin headaches, and business disruption can be crippling. Protecting your van and tools is key to keeping your business running smoothly.

How to Maximise Your Van Security

According to gov.uk, there are more than 3.6 million vans used for business across the UK which is a lot of vans for diligent petty criminals to target. Learning how to keep them as secure as possible will be time well spent. Here are our van security ideas and tips:

Park Wisely

Most thefts are opportunistic, so the key is to remove any easy opportunities for thieves. By making your van a less attractive target, they may simply move on. Parking safely should become a habit:

  • Choose well-lit areas – Parking in a well-lit spot increases visibility, making it harder for thieves to operate unnoticed. The more exposed they feel, the less likely they are to take the risk.
  • Reverse into driveways or back up against a wall – Whenever possible, park in a way that blocks access to your van’s side and rear doors. If thieves can’t easily reach these entry points, they’ll have a much harder time breaking in.
  • Never leave your van open while working – It might seem convenient to leave your van open while on a job, but it’s also an open invitation for thieves. Even on a quiet street or at a trusted client’s home, always lock up when you step away – it’s not worth the risk.
  • Store your tools securely at night – Yes, it’s a hassle, but taking your tools inside overnight can save you a major headache. Keeping them in a secure location rather than in your van makes all the difference in protecting your livelihood.

Invest In Quality Locks

A good lock can significantly boost your van’s security and protect the valuable assets inside. Here are some common types to consider:

Slamlock – Locks automatically when the door is shut, meaning there’s no risk of forgetting to secure it. Ideal for busy tradespeople making multiple stops.

Deadlock – A tougher lock to pick since it has no spring mechanism. Secured with a single bolt, but you’ll need to remember to lock it each time you leave the van.

Catalytic Converter Lock – Catalytic converters contain precious metals that thieves target for resale. This specialist lock makes it much harder for them to steal.

Handbrake & Steering Locks – Sometimes, old-school tactics work best! These locks may seem like a hassle, but they’re a strong visual deterrent and add an extra layer of security.

Mark Your Van

Marking your van can help deter thieves in the following ways:

  • A branded van with company signage is more recognisable, making it riskier for thieves to steal or break into without drawing attention.
  • Signage suggesting the van belongs to a business may imply that it has security measures in place, such as GPS tracking, alarms, or CCTV.
  • Thieves often target vehicles that appear unmonitored or generic. A marked van suggests that it’s part of a professional operation, possibly reducing the likelihood of a break-in.
  • Adding messages like “no tools left in this van overnight” or “GPS tracked vehicle” can be discouraging to thieves.
  • A stolen van with distinctive signage is harder to sell or use without drawing attention, making it a less attractive target.

If you own your van, marking it (and all its tools and contents) with paint, permanent markers or ultraviolet pens will at least ensure that you are the recognisable owner if they are found. Likewise, take photos and keep note of any serial numbers to prove ownership.

Most hired vans are marked in some way by the rental company. For example, at Pace Van Hire, our vans typically have our name, logo, and contact information on the van for easy identification. Some vans have stickers warning about GPS tracking and advising not to leave valuables inside. We do offer unmarked vans for customers who prefer discretion, but these are less common.

Install GPS Tracking

High end trackers will not only put a thief off, but it will also help you (and the police) get your stolen van back if it is taken.

Our fleet of long-term rental vans (12 months hire and over) are equipped with state-of-the-art telematics, giving you real-time visibility into your hired vehicles’ locations. This advanced technology ensures you can manage and monitor your fleet efficiently and making it easier to locate your van if it is stolen.

Choose the Right Insurance

Choosing the right van insurance depends on how you use your vehicle. Getting it wrong may hinder affect your claim. For example:

  • Private van insurance – covers everyday use like school runs and shopping but not business-related activities, including commuting.
  • Commercial van insurance – required if you use your van for work. Options include:
    1) Carriage of own goods which covers tools and equipment for trades like builders and plumbers. Also needed if you commute with your van.
    2) Carriage of goods for hire or reward which is essential for delivery drivers making multiple stops.
    3) Haulage – designed for long-distance transport, such as moving services.

Unsure which policy suits you? Speak with insurers to compare options. Prices vary, so shopping around is key. Also, if you’ve modified your van for security, inform your insurer—it could affect your premium.

Is Insurance Included When Hiring A Van With Pace Van Hire?

When hiring a van from Pace Van Hire on a short-term basis, your insurance is included in the price of your rental fee of your van, this is with a standard excess of £1,500 however you can reduce this to £500 for £24.99/day.

However, if you hire a van from Pace Van Hire on a long-term contract hire, insurance is NOT included in the package fee. Therefore, if the van is stolen during your hire period with Pace, then we would make a claim on your insurance policy to reimburse us. We would provide a replacement vehicle, but this will be charged until the insurance company agrees to settle the claim.

If you are a tradesperson wondering if Long Term Van hire may be more of a cost-effective solution for your business, find out more about how long term van hire adapts to your business needs, or read our recent customer case study on how business contract hire has helped grow their business. 

Alternatively, if you’d like to speak to a member of the Pace team directly, enquire at your convenience.