blip small business insurance has announced a new partnership with SelectaDNA to help protect tradespeople in the UK from tool theft.
To mark the launch, SelectaDNA and blip hosted a free tool-marking event in Watford. blip donated the SelectaDNA kits to attending tradespeople, enabling them to mark their tools and learn practical steps to safeguard their equipment. The event also featured tool theft campaigners, including Shoaib Awan (The Gas Expert), Steve Baker (Owner of SB Multitrade), and representatives from Stolen Tools UK, appearing alongside blip to raise awareness and drive action against the tool theft epidemic.
With a tool stolen every 12 minutes, tool theft costs tradespeople £98 million in stolen equipment and £82 million in lost work in 2023 alone. For thousands of self-employed tradespeople losing their tools means losing their ability to earn a living.
blip is partnering with SelectaDNA to support and protect small business owners for whom their tools and equipment are their livelihoods. SelectaDNA kits use forensic marking technology to mark and trace tools and equipment, making them less attractive to thieves and easier to recover if stolen.
James Brown, MD Selectamark, says:“We are delighted to partner with blip to better protect tradespeople from the tool theft epidemic. We are campaigning to raise awareness and offer tailored solutions that support tradespeople in recovering stolen tools and getting back to work quickly. We fully support blip’s mission to also protect tradespeople from future tool theft.”
Gary Ross, founder and CEO at blip, commented: “Working with SelectaDNA shows the power of modern technology in tackling an age-old problem. We’ve been engaging with tradespeople to share practical ways to better protect their tools—whether through SelectaDNA’s forensic marking kits or blip cover that aims to pay out theft claims within 24 hours.”
