Your workshop’s insurance may not protect tools you own. Tools of trade insurance for apprentices can cover portable equipment against loss, theft or accidental damage in transit or onsite, subject to the policy limits and security conditions.It’s easy to assume that tools kept at work are covered by the workshop’s policy. In Australia, these policies generally cover business-owned equipment, not staff-owned tools unless they’re specifically included. This guide explains what portable equipment cover may protect, why theft claims can depend on how tools were secured, and where a workshop policy may leave a gap. You’ll also learn how apprentices and new sole traders can arrange cover for their own equipment and decide which option suits the way they work. Key Takeaways Understand how storage and security conditions affect theft cover, particularly when tools stay in a vehicle overnight. See why high-value equipment, hired tools and permanently fixed items can need careful attention in a workshop policy. Explore the different cover arrangements available to apprentices and new sole traders, including standalone portable equipment insurance. Keep receipts, photos and serial numbers for valuable tools to help establish ownership if you need to make a claim. Table of Contents What does portable equipment insurance cover? Limits of a workshop tools and equipment policy Tools insurance for apprentices and new sole traders MyGen Insurance Brokers What does portable equipment insurance cover? Portable equipment insurance can cover business equipment such as tools of trade and stock. For apprentices, the key question is whether personally owned tools are insured through an employer’s policy or covered individually.Cover for personally owned tools Personally owned tools are covered only when the relevant policy includes them. An employer can add staff-owned tools to its business tools policy, or an apprentice can arrange individual portable tools insurance. This distinction matters because a workshop policy generally covers business-owned tools, not employees’ equipment by default. Workers compensation addresses work-related injury or illness, not tools that are lost, stolen or damaged.Portable equipment included in cover Portable equipment cover may include power and hand tools, toolboxes, measuring equipment, safety gear and portable electronics. A mobile phone, laptop, GPS device or camera may fit this category, but the policy wording determines what’s covered. Cover can apply to loss, theft or accidental damage in transit or onsite. Theft from a vehicle may depend on security conditions, such as locked storage or evidence of forced entry.Cover for tools and employee apprentices Portable tools cover can suit apprentices and subcontractors who rely on their own equipment for work. Employee apprentices are generally covered by their employer’s public liability insurance, so they don’t usually need separate public liability cover. Public liability … [Read more...] about Tools of Trade Insurance for Apprentices: What It Covers