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Why do handymen need insurance?
Handyman work comes with risks unique to each job. The right handyman insurance policies protect your business in the event of a ladder accident, tool theft, or customer lawsuit.
Find the right coverage
Insureon helps you find insurance policies that match the unique risks of repair work.
Fill out our easy online application to get free quotes from top-rated insurers. A licensed insurance agent will help you every step of the way.
What types of business insurance do handymen need?
These business insurance policies cover common risks of handyman repairs and maintenance.
General liability insurance
A general liability policy covers basic risks, such as accidental damage to a client's sink. Bundle with commercial property insurance for savings in a business owner’s policy (BOP).
BEST FOR
- Customer bodily injury
- Customer property damage
- Advertising injuries
Business owner's policy
A BOP bundles general liability coverage and commercial property insurance at a discount. It's often the most cost-effective type of insurance for handyman businesses.
BEST FOR
- Accidents that injure clients
- Client property damage
- Damage to your building or its contents
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers’ comp for handyman businesses that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury medical bills health insurance might deny.
BEST FOR
- Employee medical costs
- Disability benefits
- Employee injury lawsuits
Commercial auto insurance
A commercial auto policy covers third-party bodily injuries and property damage in accidents involving work vehicles. It can also cover vehicle theft and vandalism.
BEST FOR
- Auto accident lawsuits
- Physical damage and collision coverage
- State requirements for auto liability coverage
Contractor’s tools and equipment insurance
This policy helps pay for repair or replacement of a handyperson's hammers, saws, drills, wrenches, and other tools if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.
BEST FOR
- Tools less than five years old
- Equipment valued at less than $10,000
- Items brought to jobsites
Professional liability insurance
Professional liability insurance covers legal fees when a handyman is sued for a mistake or oversight. It's also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).
BEST FOR
- Accusations of negligence
- Failure to finish a project on time
- Undelivered services
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.
How much does handyman insurance cost?
Contractors providing handyman services on their own will pay less for insurance than repair shops with several workers.
Factors that affect the cost of handyman business insurance include:
- Handyman services offered, such as drywall patching, pressure washing, paint touchups, etc.
- Business equipment and property
- Business size and annual revenue
- Types of business insurance purchased
- Policy limits, deductibles, additional insureds, and endorsements
How do I get handyman insurance?
It’s easy to get the best handyman insurance coverage and surety bonds if you have your business information on hand. Our insurance application will ask for basic facts about your small business, such as revenue and number of employees.
You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance, sometimes called proof of insurance, with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application
- Get insurance quotes and choose policies
- Pay for your policy and download a certificate
Insureon's licensed agents work with top-rated U.S. insurers to find the most affordable coverage options that fit your line of work, whether you provide handyman services independently or hire employees.
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Common questions about handyman business insurance
Review answers to frequently asked questions about handyman insurance.
Do I need a license or permit to become a handyman?
There isn't a general "handyman license." However, some states or cities may require a general contractor's license.
Licensing requirements for handyman work vary by location and the regulations set in place by your state contractor licensing board. While some states require a general contractor’s license for performing work above a certain dollar amount, others mandate a specific license for doing any kind of electrical, plumbing, asbestos, or HVAC work.
Depending on the type of work you do—minor work and side gigs like gutter cleaning, light painting jobs, and minor landscaping—you likely won't need a license to perform them. But you will need a license to take on anything requiring a construction permit, like major renovations, structural work, and hanging drywall.
What is the difference between a handyman and a general contractor?
While handymen and contractors both focus on repair work, maintenance, and construction jobs, there are several differences between them. This includes their licensing and insurance requirements, and the size and type of projects they are able to take on.
- General contractors are typically required to obtain a certain amount of education, licensing, and insurance in order to work.
- Handymen usually only need the right tools, skill set, and working knowledge to perform simple maintenance and repair jobs.
A general contractor often works on larger projects and can build new homes, perform major renovations, and complete structural work. They may also hire subcontractors to work on specialty projects, such as an electrician, plumber, flooring installer, or roofer.
A handyman is usually a jack-of-all-trades and typically handles a variety of small-scale projects and home maintenance, such as pressure washing, basic carpentry, and fixing a leaking faucet.
What other types of coverage do handyman businesses need?
While general liability handles common third-party risks, and workers' compensation financially protects you and your employees from injuries and illnesses, there are additional policies a handyman business should consider for their risk management plan:
- Builder's risk insurance, sometimes called course of construction insurance, provides coverage for structures under construction for damages related to fire, theft, vandalism, and other covered perils. This policy may be required by your clients before you can begin work, or by local building codes.
- Commercial property insurance covers your building and its contents, such as tools, furnishings, and computers. It protects against financial losses from fires, storms, and burglaries.
- Business personal property (BPP) coverage can be added to your general liability policy to protect business property kept at a designated location, though you may not have a building.
- Inland marine insurance protects your business property, such as products, tools, and equipment, while it's in transit over land or stored at an off-site location. Common types of inland marine insurance include contractor's tools and equipment coverage, which provides protection for newer items valued at less than $10,000, and installation floater insurance, which covers materials being installed or built by a contractor during a construction project.
- Commercial umbrella insurance provides additional coverage for liability claims made on general liability, commercial auto, and employer's liability insurance, once the coverage limit has been reached. This coverage can also be added to a BOP.
How do I find cheap general liability insurance for a handyman?
There are several ways to reduce your general liability insurance costs, some of which include:
Bundle your insurance policies. Small business owners can sometimes find discounts when they purchase multiple policies from the same insurance company. For example, if your business is considered low risk, you may qualify for a business owner’s policy. A BOP bundles general liability insurance and commercial property insurance together at a reduced rate.
Pay the entire premium upfront. Your general liability policy premium can typically be paid in monthly or annual installments. It can be tempting to go with a smaller monthly payment, but consider paying the full premium. Many insurers offer discounts for premiums paid annually.
Proactively manage your risks. If your handyman business has a clean insurance claims history, you can expect lower insurance rates. An effective way to do this is to create a comprehensive risk management plan. For example, you might:
- Establish a protocol for handling other people's property
- Minimize hazards at work sites or on your premises to reduce accidents on the job
- Create procedure checklists and reviews
Explore more ways to find cheap general liability insurance.