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Find insurance for handyman contractors in Massachusetts
Learn about license requirements and the most common handyman insurance policies in Massachusetts.
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What are the most common policies for handymen in Massachusetts?
Handyman contractors may need different types of insurance coverage depending on the work they do. These are the most popular insurance policies for Massachusetts contractors to protect against financial losses.
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 injuries
- 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
Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
Whether you're in Boston, Cambridge, Worcester, or elsewhere in Massachusetts, you may need the following types of handyman business insurance to comply with local laws:
General liability insurance
Handyman insurance requirements in Massachusetts don't typically include general liability insurance. However, it's an essential policy for any business that works with customers. In some cases, you may be required to carry it to take on large-scale jobs.
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 requirements in Massachusetts, 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, opt to carry workers' comp in Massachusetts even if they do not have any employees. This is because personal health insurance likely won't cover any work-related injuries or illnesses.
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 Massachusetts businesses are:
- $20,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $8,000 personal injury protection
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident
- $20,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person
- $40,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident
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 doesn't 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
There’s no specific handyman license in Massachusetts. However, you may need to register or get a contractor’s license depending on the type of work you do.
In general, anyone performing home repairs or improvements on owner-occupied homes with one to four units must register as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.
If you take on larger projects, such as major renovations, structural work, or any job that requires a building permit, you’ll likely need a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) from the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards. There are three classes of CSL:
- Unrestricted: For any residential structure up to 35,000 cubic feet
- Restricted: For one- and two-family dwellings only
- Specialty: For specific trades like roofing, masonry, or windows
To qualify, you’ll typically need at least three years of relevant experience, pass a state exam, and complete continuing education for renewals.
The registration and licensing process includes fees and may also require proof of insurance, such as general liability and workers’ compensation, depending on your business setup and whether you have employees.
How much does handyman insurance cost in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts handyman contractors who buy policies from Insureon pay an average of:
General liability: $113 per month
Workers' compensation: $138 per month
Commercial auto: $185 per month
Several factors affect the cost of handyman insurance, including:
- Handyman services you provide, such as painting or carpentry
- 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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.