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Find insurance for handyman contractors in Hawaii
Learn about license requirements and the most common handyman insurance policies in Hawaii.
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What are the most common policies for handymen in Hawaii?
Handyman contractors may need different types of insurance coverage depending on their business operations. These are the most popular insurance policies for Hawaii contractors to protect against financial losses.
General liability insurance
Commercial general liability 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 injuries
- Customer property damage
- Advertising injuries
Business owner's policy
A BOP bundles general liability insurance 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
Hawaii requires workers’ comp for handyman businesses that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from job-related medical costs that health insurance might deny.
BEST FOR
- Employee medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Lawsuits from work-related injuries
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 type of contractor insurance 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
Surety bonds
A surety bond is an agreement between a handyman contractor, a client, and an insurance company. It guarantees the insurer will reimburse the client if the contractor fails to fulfill their contract.
BEST FOR
- Project delays
- Loss of key staff
- Failure to obtain materials
Builder's risk insurance
Builder's risk insurance covers a structure in progress and materials at a construction site. It's sometimes called course of construction insurance.
BEST FOR
- Fires
- Storms
- Theft of materials
Contractors pollution liability insurance
Pollution liability insurance can help pay for legal defense costs related to particulates or other pollution that came from your worksite. It's sometimes called environmental insurance.
BEST FOR
- Accidental spills
- Cleanup costs
- Pollution lawsuits
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.
Which policies are required for a handyman in Hawaii?
General liability insurance
Handyman contractors in Hawaii who take on projects valued at more than $1,000 or require a building permit must be licensed by the Hawaii Contractors License Board. Licensed contractors in Hawaii are required to carry a general liability insurance policy as part of the licensing process.
General liability insurance protects your business from legal expenses stemming from common mishaps, such as customer bodily injuries and property damage. Most commercial leases require businesses to carry this coverage.
Adding commercial umbrella insurance can boost your coverage on general liability insurance and other types of liability insurance.
Contractor general liability insurance can also help protect against advertising injuries, such as libel, slander, and copyright infringement. For example, it will pay for your legal defense costs if a competitor sues your business for making a false statement about them on social media.
Workers' compensation insurance
To meet state law requirements and get licensed in Hawaii, handyman businesses that have employees must provide workers’ compensation insurance, which covers medical bills and disability benefits for work injuries.
Some independent contractors and sole proprietors in high-risk professions, such as tree service technicians and HVAC contractors, choose to carry workers' comp in Hawaii even if they do not have any employees. Most policies include employer's liability insurance, which helps pay for workplace injury lawsuits.
Commercial auto insurance
Commercial auto insurance covers property damage and medical bills resulting from an accident involving your handyman business's vehicle. Depending on the coverage options you choose, it can also pay for vehicle theft, weather damage, and vandalism.
Minimum auto liability requirements for Hawaii businesses are:
- $20,000 per person bodily injury liability
- $40,000 per accident bodily injury liability
- $10,000 per occurrence property damage liability
- $10,000 per person personal injury protection
For vehicles that are used by the business but are leased, rented, or otherwise not owned by the company, you'll need a separate policy called hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA). This policy provides liability insurance but it does not cover damage to the insured vehicle.
Personal auto insurance will typically not cover any driving for business purposes, which is why you may need supplemental coverage.
Surety bonds
Licensure requirements in Hawaii sometimes include a surety bond, depending on the type of work you do.
A surety bond guarantees reimbursement for the client if a handyman fails to fulfill the terms of a contract or adhere to regulations. Common types of surety bonds include bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds.
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Do I need a license to be a handyman in Hawaii?
There's no specific handyman license in Hawaii. However, you may need a contractor's license depending on the type of work you do and the size of the project.
In Hawaii, anyone performing construction or repair work valued at more than $1,000 or that requires a building permit must hold a contractor’s license from the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).
Hawaii licenses contractors under different specialty classifications, including:
- General building contractor (B license)
- General engineering contractor (A license)
- Plumbing contractor
- Electrical contractor
- Carpentry/framing contractor
- Masonry contractor
- Roofing contractor
To qualify, you’ll typically need to meet experience requirements, apply for the license, pass a trade exam and a business/law exam, and submit to a background check. Licensed contractors must also carry general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance (if they have employees), and a surety bond.
Your costs will vary based on the type of license you apply for, whether you have employees, and your insurance needs. Smaller “handyman” jobs under $1,000 that don’t require a permit fall under Hawaii’s handyman exemption, so you can perform that work without a contractor’s license.
How much does handyman insurance cost in Hawaii?
Hawaii handyman contractors who buy policies from Insureon pay an average of:
General liability: $164 per month
Workers' compensation: $138 per month
Commercial auto: $185 per month
Several factors affect handyman insurance premiums, including:
- Handyman services you provide, such as painting
- Business property and equipment
- Business income and size
- Years of experience
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Claims history
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How do I get Hawaii handyman insurance?
Insureon helps you save time and money shopping for handyman liability insurance by comparing quotes from top U.S. insurance companies.
Our insurance agents are licensed in Hawaii and can answer your questions as you consider coverage.
To make the application go quicker, have this information ready:
- Workforce details, such as the number of employees and subcontractors
- Current and projected revenue
- Business partnerships
- Desired coverage limits
- Claims history
- Commercial lease insurance requirements
Apply for free insurance quotes today to find cheap handyman insurance that fits your business needs. Most small business owners receive a certificate of insurance (COI) for proof of insurance the same day.