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Handyman Insurance

Handyman
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Why is insurance a must for handyman businesses?

Injury, tool theft, and client lawsuits are just a few risks that a handyman comes across on the job. Liability insurance for handyman keeps your small business protected by covering expenses related to these risks, offering you both financial protection and peace of mind.
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Get the right coverage quickly

TechInsurance helps you compare insurance quotes from top U.S. insurance companies with our easy online application to get the best handyman insurance.

6 policies every handyman should consider

Clients, contracts, or state laws may require insurance for a handyman business. These handyman insurance policies protect small business owners against common construction lawsuits and other top risks.

General liability insurance

General liability insurance icon

A general liability policy protects against legal and medical costs related to client property damage and injuries. It's often required by state laws and contracts.

BEST FOR
  • Medical bills from client bodily injuries
  • Damaged customer property
  • Advertising injury and copyright lawsuits

Business owner's policy

Business owner’s policy icon

A BOP bundles commercial property insurance and general liability coverage at a discount. It's often the most cost-effective type of business insurance for a handyman.

BEST FOR
  • Client slip-and-fall injuries
  • Accidental damage to a client's property
  • Theft and vandalism

Workers' comp insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance icon

Most state laws require businesses with employees to carry workers' compensation insurance to cover workplace injuries. In some states, even sole proprietors who work in construction must carry this policy.

BEST FOR
  • Medical expenses from work injuries
  • Disability benefits
  • Lawsuits from workplace accidents

Commercial auto insurance

Commercial auto insurance icon

A handyman with business vehicles must carry a commercial auto policy to comply with state laws. It helps pay for financial losses in an accident, including legal costs and property repairs.

BEST FOR
  • Auto accident injuries
  • Auto accident property damage
  • Theft of a construction vehicle

Contractor's tools and equipment

Contractor’s tools and equipment coverage icon

A type of inland marine insurance, this policy protects your construction tools and equipment wherever you bring them. That includes items in transit, stored off-site, or used at a job site.

BEST FOR
  • Equipment that is less than five years old
  • Items valued at under $10,000
  • Tools that travel to construction projects

Professional liability insurance

Professional liability insurance icon

Professional liability insurance covers legal fees related to a mistake, missed deadline, or other accusation of professional negligence. It's also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).

BEST FOR
  • Project delays and budget overruns
  • Wrong materials and other mistakes
  • Breach of contract

Handyman insurance costs

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Here's a quick look at the average costs of common handyman insurance policies purchased by TechInsurance customers:

General liability: $67 per month
Business owner's policy (BOP): $93 per month
Workers' compensation: $138 per month

Factors that can influence your premiums include:

  • Types of handyman services offered
  • Number of employees you have, including subcontractors
  • Types of insurance purchased
  • Policy limits, deductibles, and other coverage options (e.g., additional insureds)
  • Claims history

Start a free application to see how much insurance will cost for your business.

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Why handyman businesses choose TechInsurance

Get insured quickly with TechInsurance

Get insurance fast so you can get started working with clients. Fill out our easy online application, choose a policy, and pay online to start coverage today.

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Get insured quickly with TechInsurance
Get insurance fast so you can get started working with clients. Fill out our easy online application, choose a policy, and pay online to start coverage today.
Gain client confidence
Insurance shows clients your business is reliable, and some contracts even require it. View and print your certificate of insurance anytime with TechInsurance.
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TechInsurance has licensed insurance agents who specialize in handyman business insurance in all 50 states. You’re assigned a dedicated account manager who’s ready to help.
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Common questions about insurance for handyman businesses

Find answers to frequently asked questions about handyman liability insurance.

What other insurance policies do handyman businesses need?

Depending on the type of handyman services you provide, you may have additional insurance requirements and will need more types of coverages.

Additional handyman insurance coverages to consider include:

  • Builder's risk insurance: Also called course of construction insurance, this policy helps pay for damage to a structure in progress and construction materials.
  • Inland marine insurance: Commercial property insurance only covers items at your business address, so you may need inland marine insurance for items in transit or at a job site. This equipment coverage includes contractor's tools and equipment insurance and installation floater insurance for materials awaiting installation.
  • Commercial umbrella insurance: When your underlying general liability, commercial auto, or employer's liability policy reaches the coverage limit on an insurance claim, an umbrella policy activates to provide additional coverage.

Do handyman businesses need a license or permit?

The short answer is no. Generally speaking, there is no "handyman license" that needs to be obtained before you can start work. However, depending on the type of handyman work you do and the laws in your state, you may be required to get a general contractor's license.

For example:

  • You may need a license to do certain types of work, such as plumbing, roofing, or electrical work. These requirements differ by state.
  • You might need a permit for a specific project. If you're doing simple odd jobs like painting a room or completing a small deck repair, you likely won't need a permit. However, for more extensive work, like building a structure of a certain height or converting one type of room into another, you will most likely need a construction permit. Again this depends on your state laws.

How is a handyman different from a general contractor?

Even though both handymen and general contractors perform similar construction work, like repair and maintenance, there are differences between the two. The biggest being in their licensure and insurance requirements, as well as the types of projects they handle.

In order to start a business and get client contracts, general contractors usually need a certain amount of education and work experience. Specific licensing and insurance coverages are also likely required. On the other hand, a handyman can complete client work with just about only their working knowledge and the right tools and equipment.

General contractors tend to work on larger, more extensive construction projects. This may include major renovations or specialty projects, like electrical work.

On the other hand, a handyperson is usually a jack-of-all-trades and completes more basic, smaller-scale projects that aren't as extensive. For example, a handyman may be asked to fix a leaking faucet or perform a basic carpentry task.