Garage security, at the points it truly fails.

Keys are the weakest link in most garages

A board of labelled keys within reach of a counter is common and is the highest-value target on-site, as it converts to vehicles rather than tools.

The solutions are simple: keys out of sight and reach, a lockable cabinet, a record of who took what and when, and not labelling them with registrations. None of this is costly and all is overlooked for convenience.

It matters more than before. Many modern vehicles can be driven away with just a key, so a key taken is effectively a vehicle taken, and the vehicle belongs to a customer, not you.

The van is your most vulnerable asset.

A mobile fitting van carries valuable equipment and spends each night in less secure locations than the garage.

• Remove high-value items overnight where possible; it’s the only effective measure.
• Use deadlocks and anti-peel plates, as most van break-ins are quick physical attacks, not clever ones.
• An alarm that’s actually activated, and a habit of setting it, not just an intention.
• Park to block the doors, against a wall or another vehicle, which is free.
• Avoid advertising contents on the van; signage revealing what you fit informs thieves of what’s inside.

This sparks debate as signage is marketing. Most operators compromise with branding that omits inventory: just a name and trade, not a list of equipment.

Customer vehicles are your responsibility, not theirs.

Workshop security isn’t just about your property. A vehicle in your care is your responsibility, and where it’s left overnight is a choice, not a circumstance.

Store inside where possible; if not, in a well-lit area with cameras and keys secured separately. Vehicles left on the road with keys in the building lead to disputes and often breach insurance conditions.

Taking photos of vehicles at handover is crucial, as a security incident quickly turns into a damage dispute, and the photos are what resolve it.

The divide between policy and practice

Most claim disputes here aren't about absent workshop security, but rather security that was installed and then ceased to be used.

An alarm unset, a camera recording nothing for months, a shutter left up due to a stiff padlock, a key cabinet propped open during the day and forgotten at closing. Each is a condition in the insurance policy, and a breach when it counts.

A brief closing checklist, completed by whoever locks up, bridges most of that gap. It's unglamorous but it makes the difference between a claim paid and a claim declined.

Valuable camera systems

A budget camera system often yields footage that confirms an incident occurred but identifies no one, the worst outcome.

Footage usefulness hinges on resolution at the relevant distance and lighting at the crucial time, not the number of cameras. One camera covering the door approach, at eye level rather than roof height, capable of capturing a recognisable face in the dark, is worth more than six wide shots of a yard.

Ensure it’s recording and the retention period covers a weekend and bank holiday. Finding storage filled in four days is a common, avoidable disappointment, and should be on the same closing checklist as the alarm.

Documenting your tools

Post-theft, the question is what was taken, and few can answer it accurately under pressure.

An inventory with serial numbers, purchase dates, and photos takes an afternoon and achieves three things: it supports a claim, aids recovery if items are found, and honestly reflects whether your sums insured match your possessions.

Marking tools for identification is worthwhile. It won't prevent theft but complicates disposal and enables identification, which is the realistic goal.