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Find insurance for handyman contractors in Pennsylvania
Learn about license requirements and the most common handyman insurance policies in Pennsylvania.
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What are the most common policies for handymen in Pennsylvania?
Handyman contractors may need different types of insurance coverage depending on their work. These are the most popular commercial insurance policies for Pennsylvania 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
Most states require 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
Tools and equipment insurance
This type of 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 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 Pennsylvania?
Whether you're in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or elsewhere in Pennsylvania, you may need the following types of handyman business insurance to comply with local laws:
General liability insurance
Handyman contractors in Pennsylvania typically aren't required to carry general liability insurance, however it may depend on your location and the scope of work for certain jobs. Additionally, some homeowners may require you to carry this coverage before they'll sign a contract with you.
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'll 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 city and state requirements, and get licensed in Pennsylvania, handyman businesses with one or more employees must provide workers’ compensation insurance, which covers medical bills and disability benefits for work injuries. You may need this coverage if you want to subcontract with another company.
Independent contractors and sole proprietors in risk-laden professions, such as roofers, tree service technicians, electricians, and HVAC contractors, should consider carrying workers' comp in Pennsylvania even if they don't have any employees. This is because personal health insurance is unlikely to cover work-related injury claims.
Most workers' comp policies also 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 Pennsylvania businesses are:
- $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 in property damage liability per accident
- $5,000 in personal injury protection (PIP)
For vehicles 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 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
There isn’t a specific handyman license in Pennsylvania, but you may need a contractor’s license depending on the type of work you do and the cost of the work you take on. If you perform home improvement or renovation jobs worth more than $5,000 in a year, you must register with the Attorney General’s Office to get a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) number.
Some cities also have their own requirements. For example:
- Philadelphia requires OSHA safety training (OSHA 10 for workers and OSHA 30 for supervisors), as well as proof of insurance, which may include general liability, workers’ compensation, and auto liability coverage.
- Pittsburgh requires city contractor registration, proof of tax compliance, a contractor bond, and at least $300,000 in general liability insurance.
Like in other states, getting licensed often involves passing an exam, proving work experience, completing a background check, and paying fees. You’ll likely also need insurance coverage, such as general liability and workers’ comp, depending on the type of work you do and whether you have employees.
How much does handyman insurance cost in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania handyman contractors who buy policies from Insureon pay an average of:
General liability: $57 per month
Workers' compensation: $43 per month
Commercial auto: $191 per month
Several factors affect handyman insurance premiums, including:
- Home repair and handyman services you provide, such as concrete or carpentry
- Business property and equipment
- Business income and size
- Years of experience
- Policy limits, deductibles, and exclusions
- Claims history
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How do I get Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 for proof of insurance the same day.