Jobsite Theft Task Force Fights Worksite Theft
By Howard L. Cox, CIC (hcox@palmettoinsurance.com)

Contractors are sick and tired of their hard work being vandalized and stolen. I have worked in the insurance business for 30 years and in the past five years have had more theft claims than any other. My insured contractors tell me that it is a horrible feeling to arrive at their jobsite, discover they are the latest victim and their hard work has been destroyed or stolen. It usually is not the first time.

I recently processed a claim for a builder who was doing his final walk-through on a 1.5 million dollar home. The builder flipped on the light switch only to discover the lights were not working. The builder did some investigation only to find the home stripped of all its copper wiring. The expense of the copper wiring was phenomenal, but even worse was the cost of rewiring and repairing the sheet rock, not to mention loss of time, etc. The insurance company paid out $75,000 on the claim, yet the builder was responsible for his deductible and many other expenses that the $75,000 did not cover. More importantly, the contractor was not able to sell the property at the scheduled time.

Working with insurance companies and builders for as long as I have, I could tell thousands of stories. Theft and vandalism claims result in over $1 billion annually. Criminals think the chances of getting caught are slim so they become bolder ever year, stealing just about anything on the jobsite. Common targeted items are copper wire, tools, generators, doors and windows, backhoes and bobcats.

Most thieves have an intimate knowledge of the homebuilding industry. They know what to steal, when to steal it, were to store it and where to sell it. An estimated 90% of equipment thefts take place between 6 pm Friday and 6 am Monday.

I have been pondering theft for years. Anything presented as a deterrent was too expensive or did not work. I had even considered wildlife cameras but quickly came to the conclusion that it too would be stolen and the thief would then use it to hunt deer! Providence recently brought a team of people together who believed this problem should be eliminated. I believe this team can reduce and practically eliminate job site theft. This team consisted of staff from Home Builders Insurance, Liquid Video Technologies, upstate home builders, Great American Insurance Company and Lojack. This group formed the Jobsite Theft Task Force consisting of 10 builders and Anderson County Sheriff David Crenshaw. The first meeting included a builder who got a call during the meeting informing him he had been robbed the night before. Every builder on that task force had been robbed at least once. The builders are mad; they want to do something about the problem. Law enforcement cannot be present 100% of the time an d contractors need to take action. Together the Jobsite Theft Task Force came up with a solution for the problem.

Liquid Video Technologies designed a temporary security system using cellular technology that was affordable and convenient for contractors. Temporary security systems allow the contractors and the insurance provider peace of mind because now they know a jobsite can be secured during the construction phase. I personally believe this system will save the contractors thousands of dollars in losses and, just as importantly, save their clients time. I have been able to convince Great American Insurance Company to give discounts or waive the deductible on the builders risk premiums for all builders installing this system. Through Great American, we have also partnered with Lojack to assure a 30% discount on the purchase of 15 Lojacks. Lojacks can be placed on valuable equipment allowing authorities to track the equipment and catch the thief. According to Lojack, 70% of protected equipment is recovered within 24 hours. These devices also get contractors special discounts on your insurance premiums. Contra ctors often worry about the hassle, maintenance and cost of additional purchases for jobsites. A temporary security plan was created for the contractor. This system features include: auto arming and disarming; minimal cost to the contractor; contractor monetary rebates; and the system includes signs for site in English and Spanish.

After years of experience in the construction industry, I finally believe we have systems in place for upstate builders’ protection. This temporary security system is one that I find no argument with and I am anxious for builders to install on every site without fail for their protection. Temporary security systems allow the builder to proceed with their job and not have set backs that are uncontrollable. This is a system to believe in, allowing contractors the discounts and freedom they deserve. I am positive about eliminating this problem after thirty years with no solution. I believe the Jobsite Theft Task Force, temporary security, and builders risk insurance has given builders the tools and equipment to build upon!