Here are some things you might want to consider to protect your property.
- Have a monitored alarm system, and install signage indicating that you do.
- Consider installing perimeter and interior surveillance cameras.
- Secure high-value tools in a locked cabinet or room. If someone is determined to get into your building, they probably will. That's why it makes sense to make it harder and more time-consuming for them to steal things once they're in. Consider putting your most expensive equipment in a locked room or chain-link cage, so there's one more thing a thief would have to go through to get to anything.
- Bolt top toolboxes to the bottom boxes. Top boxes are generally lighter and quicker to get away with. Having them attached to the bottom boxes can make them less of a theft target.
- Maintain an inventory of all equipment and tools – and have technicians do the same. Photographs of the inside of toolbox drawers can help as well in documenting a loss after a burglary.
- Set strict policies regarding customer vehicles. I remember some years ago reading about a "customer" who walked into a dealership service department and said he was there to pick up his car. The tech saw him go into the office and presumed he paid, so when he came back out, he let the man drive off with the vehicle – which, as you might have guessed, wasn't even his. No one should return keys to a customer without a thumbs-up from the office.
- Store keys in a locked box or safe separate from the vehicles and not in public view. Limiting access to keys to only a few employees is another good safeguard. Keys left in the ignition or vehicle – even for just short periods or overnight – make those vehicles an easy target.
- Secure your lot. You're probably aware of other shops that leave vehicles in unfenced lots. Making yours secure can be another selling point to customers or insurers. Our back lot (the only outside space where we store vehicles) has a 6-foot chain link fence topped with razor wire.
- Change your gate and door locks occasionally. Every few years as a precaution we change the keys for the padlocks on our gates and overhead roll-up doors, and recode the locks on exterior doors and the doors to our office.
- Install exterior lighting to make it more difficult for someone to be in your lot or break into your building without being seen.
- Remind employees that they should politely stop and question anyone who is in restricted areas or doesn't appear to have checked in with the office.
- Make sure your shop insurance has replacement coverage. Without it, you may only get reimbursed for a discounted amount if a theft occurs.
- Make sure your coverage is adequate as well. Particularly if you first bought your insurance policy years ago, it may not adequately cover the value of items you have subsequently added or improvements to the building. If the number or type (value) of the vehicles you tend to have onsite has changed, that can affect how much coverage you need. Review it annually.
- Understand what's covered and what's not. If one of your employee's toolboxes and tools are stolen, is that covered under your policy? Often it's not, because it may be considered their property. Discuss this with your agent.
- Think twice about buying second-hand goods from unknown sources. The industry only contributes to the problem when used tools and equipment are purchased when it's not clear the seller obtained those items legitimately. Don't get swept up by the idea of getting a great deal. You wouldn't want someone else benefiting from equipment stolen from your shop.
If there's a topic you'd like me to address, I'd love to hear from you.
