Let’s have a frank conversation.

Picture this, home builders. After months of scouting, planning, designing and negotiating, you finally get the green light for a new development. You and your team start the first week on the job. But then, a key piece of equipment is stolen from the construction site – putting the timeline and budget in jeopardy already.

Want to avoid this worst-case scenario? To protect your home building ventures, our business insurance experts have outlined five foolproof ways to help prevent job site theft:

  1. Document where tools and equipment are kept. If you don’t have a list of the items at a construction site, it will be difficult to know what you’re missing. Create a comprehensive list of your tools and equipment. If it’s possible, include photographs and detailed descriptions, including the make, model, serial number and value.
  2. Lock everything. Store your tools in sheds or trailers (preferably ones that are hitched to a vehicle), and always make sure they’re locked before you leave. This should include a lock for your trailer that helps to prevent theft, and gang boxes to protect padlocks from bolt cutters. To take it a step further, try limiting access to your job site by putting up fences for extra security.
  3. Examine job site lighting. A well-lit area will make it difficult for intruders to slip in and out without being noticed. As a bonus, it will also make it easier to spot suspicious activity.
  4. Keep employees accountable. First, it’s important to know who’s on your team. Make it a priority to know each one of your partners. Then, create a checkout system so you know who’s using what resource and when. Before employees leave for the day, make sure each tool/piece of equipment has been returned to its proper place.
  5. Review your business insurance policy. If it’s been a year or more since you updated your business insurance policy, it might be time for a quick checkup with a local agent. What tools and equipment were written into your policy? When was the last time you checked your general liability exposures? What’s covered under your subcontractor agreements? Changes to any of these may impact how much commercial coverage you need.

With options to customize coverage, you can benefit from business insurance that’s tailored to your unique needs. Talk to your independent agent today.
 

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