Combat Heavy Equipment Theft with Proper Policy and Precautions

Now that spring time is upon us warmer weather is on the horizon - this also means construction season. As temperatures begin to rise, so do occururences of heavy equipment theft.

Businesses engaged in construction, road maintenance and agriculture are alll subject to loss because of stolen equipment. Heavy equipment used in these industries is vulnerable because it is valuable, cases are hard to investigate, it is difficult to recover, easy to steal and relatively easy to re-sell after theft.

To prevent equipment theft, be sure to register all your company's machines (not hand tools) on the National Eqipment Register, which provides a large database of eqipment ownership and theft reports in addition to providing theft prevention advice and reference materials. Also be sure your insurance policies are current and that your most valuable eqipment is scheduled. Often times your equipment list will become dated, so make sure you are analyzing the list every year.

Most commonly stolen equipment:

- Tractors
- Skid Steer Loaders
- Backhole Loaders
- Excavators
- Dozers

The following insurance companies offer incentives for companies that register their equipment:

1. CNA
2. Travelers
3. Allianz
4. Chubb
5. ACE
6. Hartford
7. Great American

For more information please contact me directly or visist the National Equipment Register website.