Handyman Insurance (Liability Coverage)

Handymen are incredibly in-demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the general maintenance and repair industry will grow by 8% between 2020-2030, based on estimations. But although working as a handyman can be very lucrative, it can also be a very risky job. Fortunately, handyman liability insurance can protect you.

As a handyman, you probably have a variety of job responsibilities, like repairing appliances, fixing major home systems, identifying potential hazards, and performing assessments. In addition, handymen often use ladders, power tools, and other heavy equipment while on a residential or commercial job site.

To protect your business from these risks, having handyman liability insurance is important. Insurance can help pay for your legal fees in the event of a third-party claim. Also, if you’re looking to expand your business and find new customers, having liability insurance shows prospective clients that you’re a responsible business owner.

General Liability

Property Coverage

Auto Insurance

Workers Compensation

Tools Coverage

What’s Covered Under Handyman General Liability Insurance

When you purchase a general liability insurance policy for handymen, you receive comprehensive coverage for many of the most common risks you might face on the job. Here are the coverages that come with a handyman liability insurance policy.

Bodily injury. Bodily injury insurance will cover your liability when someone is injured on a job site. For example, imagine that you’re working at a customer’s home, and you accidentally leave a power tool plugged in. The homeowner trips over the cord and breaks their ankle. In this case, bodily injury liability insurance can pay for your legal fees if you get sued. It would cover the homeowner’s medical bills.

Property damage. Property damage insurance applies if you accidentally damage someone else’s property. So, for instance, let’s say you are inspecting a customer’s plumbing system and you unintentionally dislodge a pipe that ends up causing water damage. Property damage liability insurance would help pay for the repairs.

Products and completed operations. Even after a job is complete, you can still face legal issues if the client finds something wrong. For example, if you painted someone’s home without proper ventilation, and weeks later, the client complains about an air quality issue, you could find yourself in a legal situation. Products and completed operations insurance would pay for your lawyer fees.

Medical payments. If someone is hurt on a job site, medical payments insurance helps pay their medical expenses. This policy can pay for things like surgery, imaging, hospitalization, prescription medications, and rehabilitation costs. Keep in mind that this coverage only applies to third-party bodily injury claims, so it won’t cover your injuries or an employee’s injuries at work.

Personal and advertising injury. Personal and advertising injury insurance covers third-party claims of slander, copyright infringement, and libel. For example, if you and one of your competitors use similar messaging in a new advertising campaign, you may get sued. However, your personal and advertising injury insurance would pay for your legal bills and a settlement or judgment with the other party.

Damage to Premises Rented To You. As a handyman, you might rent or lease an office to conduct business from. If something happens to your rented space, your handyman liability insurance policy can cover it. For instance, if you were doing some basic electrical work to install a company sign and accidentally started a small fire, this policy would help pay for the repairs.

What’s Not Covered Under Handyman General Liability Insurance

Most handyman liability insurance policies offer a variety of coverages based on the unique risks that handyman and other repair professionals can face. However, there are certain things that this policy will not cover. As a result, you might need to supplement with additional insurance policies to fill gaps in your coverage.

Here are some of the things that handyman liability insurance will not cover:

Intentional injuries or property damage
Injuries to employees
Tools and Equipment

When you purchase liability insurance, make sure to read the fine print of your policy. Every policy is different, including exclusions and coverage limits. If you aren’t sure what your policy does and does not cover, you can always reach out to an agent who can explain your policy in more detail.

How To Get Handyman General Liability Insurance

Before you purchase a handyman general liability insurance policy, there are a few things you should keep in mind. This will ensure you have a sufficient amount of coverage while staying within your budget.

Know your risks. The amount of risk your business faces should match the amount of insurance coverage you buy.
Choose a deductible wisely. When you get general liability insurance, you choose a deductible. It’s an out-of-pocket cost that is required whenever you have an approved claim. The higher your deductible is, the lower your insurance premium will be. Make sure to choose a deductible you can comfortably afford if you have a claim.
Get the right amount of coverage. Handyman liability insurance is only beneficial if you have enough coverage. As a rule of thumb, it’s always better to have more coverage than you think you will need. Claims can be very expensive, and without enough insurance coverage, you would have to make up the difference out-of-pocket.
Get to know your policy. Handyman liability insurance policies are not all the same. Before you purchase a policy, you should know what is and is not covered. Don’t forget to ask about endorsements that might benefit your business, as well.
Talk to an agent. Before you sign on the dotted line, it’s worth speaking with an agent to ask questions about your policy. They can help you with insurance terminology, coverage limits, deductibles, or anything else you’re not sure about. An agent can also help you determine how much coverage is right for your business.

Other Insurance For Handyman

Besides general liability insurance, there are a number of other policies that can be beneficial for handymen and general repair businesses. Here are some other kinds of insurance you might want to consider:

Business Personal Property
Auto Insurance
Workers Compensation
Tools Coverage
Surety Bond
Excess Liability

Handyman General Liability Costs

Handyman General Liability Insurance FAQ

We’re big believers in keeping things simple, so ask us anything and we’ll answer honestly and without the jargon.

Why Do Handymen Need Insurance?

Handymen need insurance because they face a number of risks on the job. Accidents can happen in any environment, even if you’re taking all the right safety measures. Liability insurance can protect you in third-party claims, so you don’t have to use money from your business to pay for legal fees. Having handyman insurance also shows customers that you’re a trustworthy and responsible business that is worth hiring.

What Are The Risks Facing Handymen?

Handymen face lots of risks on the job, whether they are inspecting a home, painting, spackling walls, laying tile, or building furniture. Handymen also tend to use heavy equipment and machinery, and use tall ladders for interior and exterior work. This can increase the risk of injuries, like falls, cuts, and burns, as well as accidental property damage on a job site.

Is General Liability Insurance Required for Handymen?

General liability insurance may be a legal requirement for handymen, depending on your location. You can check into the requirements for your location by contacting your state’s department of commerce. Typically, you only need insurance if you need a license to operate your business. However, some landlords require business owners to carry general liability insurance in order to rent or lease office space.

Are Monthly Payments Available For Handyman General Liability ?

Most Handyman General Liability policies come with monthly payment plans. Usually a down payment is required to start a policy. Please ask us about low down payment option.

What Are The Penalties To Cancel My Policy ?

We don’t penalize our customer. When you cancel your Handyman General Liability, you are not required to pay additional fees or penalties. You are however required to pay your premium dues up to the cancellation date. The remaining payments will be cancelled after a cancellation is processed.

How Much Is Handyman General Liability Insurance ?

When you purchase handyman liability insurance, you pay a premium, which is the cost of keeping your coverage in force. The cost of handyman general liability insurance depends on several factors, including the size of your business, where your business is located, your policy limits, and your deductible. For handymen, the cost of general liability insurance starts at $39 per month.