- If you are a Handyman, you should consider opting for several types of business insurance that can cover you, your employees, and third parties to physical injury, such as workers’ comp & general liability.
- You may also want to consider coverage for personal injury due to errors in your work with an E&O insurance plan. This can include protection for lawsuits from unsatisfied customers.
- Some Business Owners Policies may offer multiple types of coverage rolled into one, but it’s important to ensure these types of policies meet all your needs.
- Depending on the type of business and where you operate, additional coverages may be needed, such as coverage for your tools & equipment with an inland marine or BPP plan.
- Since there are many different types of insurance available to handymen, we recommend using an online quote tool to cut down on the research process and get matched to plans that meet your business’ needs.
When you buy something using links found on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. This content is reviewed & supervised by The Los Angeles Times.
Handyman Insurance: Best Companies April 2024
Secure your toolbox with customized coverage from top insurance companies.
Quotes available through:
On This Page
- Key takeaways
- Our top picks for the best handyman insurance
- What is handyman insurance?
- Who needs handyman insurance?
- What does handyman insurance cover?
- What type of insurance do you need for a handyman business?
- How much does handyman insurance cost?
- FAQ: Handyman insurance
- Recommended articles
- Related topics
On This Page
- Key takeaways
- Our top picks for the best handyman insurance
- What is handyman insurance?
- Who needs handyman insurance?
- What does handyman insurance cover?
- What type of insurance do you need for a handyman business?
- How much does handyman insurance cost?
- FAQ: Handyman insurance
- Recommended articles
- Related topics
Kiah Treece - Business Finance
+ 1 other
Reviewed By
Blake Esken - Los Angeles Times
Handyman insurance is a form of business insurance that provides coverage for the various risks associated with working as a handyman. As a handyman, your job duties may include repairing appliances, identifying safety risks, conducting assessments, and more. It’s likely you commonly work with ladders, power tools, and other heavy equipment. Having handyman insurance is essential to protect you and your business from these types of risks.
Handyman insurance typically includes general liability insurance. Depending on your business, you may need to purchase additional types of business insurance, such as one that protects your employees or business equipment, to have comprehensive coverage.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what handyman insurance is, as well as what it covers and who needs it.
Our top picks for the best handyman business insurance
- Markel Insurance: General Liability
- Frank Winston Crum Insurance: General Liability
- ABIC Insurance: General Liability
- Clear Blue Insurance: General Liability
- Harborway Insurance: General Liability, Inland Marine
- Hiscox Insurance: General Liability, Professional Liability, Business Personal Property
- Accredited Insurance: General Liability
- Travelers Insurance: Professional Liability
- Cerity: Workers’ Compensation
- biBERK Business Insurance: Workers’ Compensation
- USG Insurance Services, Inc.: Cyber Liability
Our top picks for the best handyman insurance
Advertiser Disclosure
Markel Insurance
AMB Financial Strength
A (Excellent)
Specialized for:
General Liability
Why We Like It
Markel Insurance Company is a nationwide insurance provider with over 70 years of experience. It offers General Liability coverage for niche small businesses including contractors and other professional services. Markel is known for its exceptional customer service and its overarching customer-first company policy which prioritizes offering good guidance ahead of selling policies. Markel has also set a robust goal of becoming the premier claims-handling organization in its industry. As such, it works to maintain the highest ethical standards and offer fair and equitable claims services to all customers. This makes it an ideal partner for insured parties.
Coverage Highlights
With General Liability through Markel, you can gain access to:
- $1 million occurrence limit & $2 million aggregate limit
Other coverage highlights include:
- $100k in coverage for damage to rented premises
- $5k in coverage for medical expenses
- Waiver of Subrogation (optional)
- Blanket Additional Insured endorsements (optional)
Frank Winston Crum Insurance
AMB Financial Strength
A- (Excellent)
Specialized for:
General Liability
Why We Like It
Frank Winston Crum Insurance Company specializes in providing expansive General Liability coverage at competitive prices for contractors and other construction-related businesses.
More notably, Frank Winston Crum is an admitted program which means it has met the regulations set by the state Department of Insurance.
This is great for insured parties as it means that if the insurer were to fail, the state would intervene and pay claims on its behalf. However, the chances of failure are slim given its A- financial rating from AM Best. Another highlight to mention is that its coverage automatically includes features that are typically add-ons with most other plans.
Coverage Highlights
With General Liability through Frank Winston Crum, you can gain access to:
- $1 million occurrence limit & $2 million aggregate limit
Other coverage highlights include:
- $300k in coverage for damage to rented premises
- $10k in coverage for medical payments
- Waiver of Subrogation (automatically included)
- Blanket Additional Insured endorsements (automatically included)
ABIC Insurance
AMB Financial Strength
A (Excellent)
Specialized for:
General Liability
Why We Like It
ABIC-RRG is short for American Builders Insurance Company. As the name sounds, ABIC specializes in plans for:
- general contractors
- artisans
- handymen
- electricians
- and other trades in the building and construction sector.
Given the company’s niche experience, it is a great option for small businesses in the construction industry. ABIC offers expansive General Liability coverage and has skilled agents who will evaluate every insurance account based on the needs of the individual business.
Coverage Highlights
With General Liability through ABIC, you can gain access to:
- $1 million occurrence limit & $2 million aggregate limit
Other coverage highlights include:
- $100k in coverage for damage to rented premises
- $5k in coverage for medical payments
- Waiver of Subrogation (optional)
- Blanket Additional Insured endorsements (optional)
Clear Blue Insurance
AMB Financial Strength
A- (Excellent)
Specialized for:
General Liability
Why We Like It
If you need specialized General Liability insurance with a professional claims team to meet your contracting needs, Clear Blue is a solid choice. Clear Blue General Liability Insurance is specifically tailored for the construction industry with add-on options to help minimize your risks.
Clear Blue covers a wide range of contracting trades across the US but, with its headquarters in Charlotte, NC, mostly specializes in covering contractors in the Southeastern states.
It’s backed by the larger Frank Winston Crum group and has an excellent AM Best financial strength rating of A- VIII. This backing also makes them an admitted program which means it has met the regulations set by the state Department of Insurance (DOI). This is great for insured parties as it means that if the company were to fail, the state would intervene and pay claims.
Coverage Highlights
Contractors opting for General Liability through Clear Blue Insurance gain access to:
- $1 million occurrence limit & $2 million aggregate limit
Other coverage highlights include:
- $300k in coverage for damage to rented premises
- $10k in coverage for medical payments
- Waiver of Subrogation (automatically included)
- Blanket Additional Insured endorsements (automatically included)
Harborway Insurance
AMB Financial Strength
A+ Superior)
Specialized for:
General Liability, Inland Marine
Why We Like It
Harborway is a lesser-known provider that offers specialized coverage for:
- General liability insurance
- Business personal property insurance
- Inland marine insurance
This provider offers great coverage for equipment and items you transport or store off-premises makng is great for companies that send employees to work off-site or occaisionally do field work.
While Harborway isn’t an AM Best rated company, it is reinsured by Munich Re which has an AM Best financial strength rating of A+.
Coverage Highlights
General Liability Coverage through Harborway offers access to:
- $1 million occurrence limit & $2 million aggregate limit
Other coverage highlights for General Liability include:
- $100k in coverage for damage to rented premises;
- $5k in coverage for medical payments;
- Waiver of Subrogation (optional)
- Blanket Additional Insured endorsement (automatically included)
- Contractors’ Errors & Omissions endorsements (optional)
Business Personal Property Coverage through Harborway offers access to: *Property limits of $5k, $10k, $15k, $20k, $25k, and $50k *Blanket Additional Insured endorsement (automatically included)
Inland Marine Coverage through Harborway offers access to:
- $5k or $10k coverage limits on inland marine property
- Blanket Additional Insured endorsement (automatically included)
Hiscox Insurance
AMB Financial Strength
A (Excellent)
Specialized for:
General Liability, Professional Liability, Business Personal Property
Why We Like It
Hiscox is one of the largest insurance providers in the US and operates in all 50 states. It offers serval types of coverage options to suit your needs including:
- General liability insurance
- Professional liability insurance
- Business personal property insurance (add-on)
Hiscox specializes in insurance for small and micro-businesses and its robust coverage options are available for tons of business types & trades. Hiscox also has over 120 years of experience behind its name as part of the original Lloyds group from 1901. This long track record speaks volumes for how trustworthy Hiscox is.
Coverage Highlights
General Liability Coverage through Hiscox offers your choice of access to:
- $1 million occurrence limit & $2 million aggregate limit
- $2 million occurrence limit & $3 million aggregate limit
Other coverage highlights for General Liability include:
- $100k in coverage for damage to rented premises
- $5k in coverage for medical payments
- Blanket Additional Insured endorsement (automatically included)
- Waiver of Subrogation endorsement (optional)
Professional Liability Coverage through Hiscox offers your choice of access to:
- $1 million occurrence limit & $1 million aggregate limit
- $2 million occurrence limit & $2 million aggregate limit
- $3 million occurrence limit & $3 million aggregate limit
Business Personal Property add-on:
- Business Personal Property coverage is available as an add-on to your Hiscox General Liability policy
- Choice of coverage limits: $5k, $10k, $15k, $20k, or $25k
Accredited Insurance
AMB Financial Strength
A- (Excellent)
Specialized for:
General Liability
Why We Like It
Accredited Insurance is backed by the massively-known Travelers Insurance with whom it co-built a General Liability policy tailored specifically for small businesses.
Accredited offers insurance in all 50 states as well as Washington DC and has been in business for over 50 years. The company has proven itself for its high-quality service, stability, and integrity.
Accredited also has a strong financial strength rating of A- from AM Best. This means you can rest easy knowing that you will be supported by a strong company should anything go wrong.
Coverage Highlights
Contractors opting for General Liability through Accredited gain access to:
- $1M Occurrence limit & $2M Aggregate limit
Non-contractors have the option of plans ranging from:
- $100k occurrence limit & $300k Aggregate limit
- $1 million occurrence limit & $2 million aggregate limit
Other coverage highlights include:
- $100k in coverage for damage to rented premises
- $5k in coverage for medical payments;
- Waiver of Subrogation (optional)
- Blanket Additional Insured endorsements (optional)
Travelers Insurance
AMB Financial Strength
A++ (Superior)
Specialized for:
Professional Liability
Why We Like It
Travelers is one of the largest insurance providers in the US and offers nationwide business insurance coverage.
Travelers can offer many different types of coverage for businesses of all sizes but is specifically well suited for Professional Liability plans for companies in the fields of:
- Accounting
- Bookkeeping
- Tax Preparation
Travelers is a great choice for professional liability backing thanks to the brand’s nationwide coverage, 160 years of expertise, and top financial rating of A++ from AM Best.
Coverage Highlights
Professional Liability Coverage through Travelers offers access to:
- $1 million occurrence limit & $1 million aggregate limit
Optional add-ons include:
- Defense Outside Limits coverage
Cerity
AMB Financial Strength
A- (Excellent)
Specialized for:
Workers’ Compensation
Why We Like It
Cerity offers affordable workers’ compensation policies and can cover various types of businesses and industries. As a major insurance provider in the US, Cerity is known for its:
- Low prices
- Simple policies
- Same-day coverage
When you sign up for a workers’ comp policy through Cerifty, you get same-day coverage and proof of insurance. This means you can get your business started faster with very little lag time.
Cerity is a well-known provider in the insurance industry and has an AM Best financial strength rating of A- (Excellent), as well as 4.4 stars on Trustpilot. Cerity is offered nationwide in all states except Ohio, North Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming (where private worker’s comp is not legally sold).
Coverage Highlights
Workers’ comp coverage through Cerity offers access to:
- Bodily Injury by Accident at $1M per accident
- Bodily Injury by Disease at $1M per each employee, subject to a $1M policy limit
Other coverage highlights for workers’ comp from Cerity include:
- Statutory Workers’ Compensation coverage
- Customers have the option to include or exclude the owner in coverage when permitted under state law
biBERK Business Insurance
AMB Financial Strength
A++ (Superior)
Specialized for:
Workers’ Compensation
Why We Like It
biBerk is a subsidiary of the famous Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group. As part of Berkshire Hathaway, biBerk is automatically backed by an A++ AM Best financial rating and over 75 years of experience in the insurance industry. This ensures you will get reputable service and solid coverage you can rely on.
The provider specializes in Workers’ Compensation coverage for small businesses across all US states except OH, ND, WA, and WY.
A major highlight of biBerk is that workers’ comp is available to sole proprietors and multi-employee businesses.
Coverage Highlights
Workers’ Comp coverage through biBerk includes Employers’ liability limits for:
- Total policy limit of $500k
- Bodily Injury by Accident at $100k/accident limit
- Bodily Injury by Disease at $100k/employee limit
- Coverage for the owner (optional depending on state law)
Other plan highlights:
- biBerk’s Workers’ Comp plans offer statutory Workers’ Compensation coverage. This means that the employee is not required to prove that their employer is at fault to receive compensation.
USG Insurance Services, Inc.
AMB Financial Strength
A- (Excellent)
Specialized for:
Cyber Liability
Why We Like It
With the growing need for cyber security coverage, look no further than USG Insurance Services, Inc.
USG offers top-notch Cyber Liability insurance to protect small and micro-businesses from cyber-attacks and data breaches originating from outside your company.
Plans are available for a broad range of business types and come backed by North American Data Security as well as a solid AM Best financial rating of A-. USG operates 20+ branches across the country, meaning you’re sure to have a regional or local office nearby to support you with queries and account management help when needed.
Coverage Highlights
Cyber Liability Coverage through USG offers access to:
- $250k occurrence limit & $250k aggregate limit
Other coverage highlights for Cyber Liability include:
- $1k deductible
- $250/year flat rate of coverage
Advertiser Disclosure
GET A QUOTE
What is handyman insurance?
Handyman insurance is a type of business insurance that protects against the risks associated with being a handyman.
It can protect your business from financial losses that arise from claims of bodily injury, property damage, and lawsuits. This type of insurance typically includes general liability insurance, as well as additional types of coverage depending on the specifics of the job.
Who needs handyman insurance?
All professional handymen should carry some form of insurance to protect their financial interests.
You need it so you don’t have to pay out of pocket for work-related accidents like property damage or bodily injury.
The following professions can benefit from having this type of coverage: painters, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics, furniture assemblers, and anyone else who delivers professional home improvement services.
Is handyman insurance required to operate a business?
Handyman insurance requirements vary by state. Some states do not require coverage for handymen that charge less than a certain amount. For example, handymen in California are not required to carry insurance — though they are strongly encouraged to do so. That said, if you have employees, all states but Texas require you to carry workers’ compensation. Furthermore, you’re only permitted to charge up to $500 per project before being required to get licensed as a general contractor.
Even if handyman insurance isn’t legally required in your state, having it can still make it easier to get jobs. Homeowners are often more willing to hire a handyman who carries general liability insurance at a minimum because it can also protect them from financial losses in case of an accident.
If you need help knowing what type of coverage you need, an insurance professional can help you understand your options and obligations.
Speak to an insurance professional for free!
What does handyman insurance cover?
Handyman business insurance can be customized to meet the unique needs of your business.
There are several types of coverage, each of which protects your business from different types of risks. By combining different policies, you can cover a wide range of financial risks.
Here are some of the most common coverages included in handyman insurance policies:
Bodily injury
Handyman insurance almost always includes coverage for costs related to third-party bodily injury. If a customer or member of the public gets injured due to your work, handyman insurance can cover the costs of medical bills. It can also cover legal expenses in case you’re sued.
Property damage
Handyman insurance often protects against unforeseen property damage that could occur as a result of your work. This type of insurance will cover the costs of repairing or replacing damaged property.
For example, if you’re repairing a client’s door and accidentally damage the door frame, handyman insurance can help cover the cost of replacing it.
Personal and advertising injury
Handyman insurance can also protect your business from personal and advertising injuries, such as libel, slander, and copyright infringement. With this protection in place, your business can cover defense costs for legal representation to defend you in court in case of a lawsuit.
For example, if you’re sued for using copyrighted images on your website without permission, handyman insurance could cover the cost of defending against the claim, as well as cover any damages that you’re ordered to pay.
Damage to premises rented to you
Perhaps you rent an office to carry out your work. If something damages this rented property, handyman insurance can help cover it. For example, if you’re moving a piece of heavy equipment and it scratches or dents the floor, handyman insurance can help with the repair costs.
Medical payments
If a customer or member of the public is hurt on the worksite and needs medical care, handyman insurance can pay for the medical bills. It can cover the costs of treatments like hospitalization, medication, surgery, and rehabilitation.
This type of coverage typically only applies to third-party claims. If you or an employee get injured on the job, you’ll likely need to have workers’ compensation to cover this type of claim.
What type of insurance do you need for a handyman business?
Handyman insurance is often a combination of coverages that protect you against a wide range of claims.
These are the most common types of insurance coverage included in a handyman insurance policy:
Advertiser Disclosure
Protects handypersons from claims of bodily injury, property damage, personal/advertising injury, and completed operations.
Examples of coverage:
- Cost of damages resulting from work performed
- Medical costs of clients injured on job site (for example, from tripping over a tool)
Protects handypersons against claims of business negligence, as well as lawsuits resulting from errors or omissions of information.
Examples of coverage:
- Legal fees
- Settlements
Covers handypersons and their employees from financial losses & liability if they become injured or ill due to work-related causes.
Examples of coverage:
- Medical expenses of employees injured on job site
- Lost wages from being unable to work
Covers physical assets like equipment when in transit over land or temporarily stored at off-site locations.
Examples of coverage:
- Repair of equipment or tools damaged in transit
- Replacement of equipment or tools damaged in transit
Covers company vehicles and employees who drive them. Includes coverage for injuries, and vehicle damage, medical payments, collisions, and more.
Examples of coverage:
- Fixing vehicle after a collision
- Paying for medical bills of injured occupants
Covers employee theft of valuables items or funds. Especially important for businesses that send workers to clients’ homes or businesses.
Examples of coverage:
- Replacing stolen property
- Reimbursement of stolen funds
Covers damage, loss, and theft of physical assets at a business’ primary location. It covers items like equipment and tools but does not cover the building.
Examples of coverage:
- Replacement of stolen equipment or tools
- Repair of damaged equipment or tools
Protects companies’ data & intellectual property from cyber-related risks such as financial losses caused by cyber-attacks, external data breaches, etc.
Examples of coverage:
- Data recovery costs
- Legal fees
You’ve viewed 6 of 10 categories
LOAD MORE
General liability
Handyman general liability insurance typically protects your business from claims of property damage, bodily injury, and personal or advertising injury. Should a third party sue you or your business for any of these matters, this type of coverage will often cover legal fees, court costs, and settlement fees up to the policy limit.
For example, if your client trips over a cord and gets injured, general liability insurance can help with their medical bills. If they sue you, it can also cover your legal fees.
Workers’ compensation
Workers’ compensation insurance provides financial protection if employees get injured or sick while working. This type of policy covers medical bills, lost wages, and sometimes even funeral expenses related to job-related injuries or illnesses. Workers’ comp can also protect employers from lawsuits by providing specific benefits exclusively to employees. Coverage is required for all businesses with employees in all states but Texas.
Commercial auto
Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles that are used for business purposes. If you’re transporting materials and accidentally rear-end another card, commercial auto insurance would help to cover any damages to the vehicle and third-party injuries. Depending on the policy, it may also include coverage for items damaged inside the vehicle.
Inland marine insurance
Inland marine insurance covers damage to items, such as tools and equipment, that are in transit or stored in a temporary offsite location. Since handymen often transport equipment between job sites, this type of coverage can be critical for protecting property when it’s not at its primary place of business.
Commercial property
Commercial property insurance, also called business property insurance, provides protection for your business’s physical assets, such as inventory and equipment. It covers the financial losses if your property is damaged due to fire, theft, natural disasters, and other hazards.
Let’s say a fire breaks out in your work shed, and this damages your tools and equipment. Commercial property insurance would cover the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged property, including the tools, equipment, and shed.
How much does handyman insurance cost?
Handyman insurance typically costs $500 to $2,000 per year, depending on the amount and type of coverage you choose, your location, and the specifics of your business.
While it can be expensive, this type of insurance provides critical protection that you may not be able to cover on your own. It’s best to get an insurance quote from multiple providers and compare costs to find the one that best suits your needs and budget.
How much is handyman insurance in California?
Handyman insurance in California can start as low as $13 per month for basic coverage. However, most handymen pay around $100 per month for coverage. The cost of insurance in California depends on the amount and type of coverage you need, the type of work you perform, your annual revenue, your claims history, and other factors.
Advertiser Disclosure
GET A QUOTE
FAQ: Handyman insurance
Is Handyman Insurance required by law?
Handyman insurance is only required for businesses with employees, and even then, only workers’ compensation coverage is legally required in every state but Texas. While other types of handyman insurance aren’t required, it’s still beneficial to have other types of coverage. This way, you’re protected in the event of a liability claim for injuries or property damage sustained during business operations.
What kind of insurance does a handyman need?
As a handyman, you may need a combination of insurance policies to best protect yourself and your clients. The most important type of coverage for your business is general liability insurance, as it protects customers and members of the public against injuries and other damages resulting from your business operations. You should also include commercial property insurance in your policy to help cover property damage from events like fire, wind storms or theft.
Kiah Treece is a business finance expert with more than five years of editorial experience. Through her experience as a small business owner, real estate investor, and lawyer, she’s knowledgeable in the areas of banking, loans, financing, and insurance for small businesses. Her first-hand experience has enabled her to break down complex financial topics to help consumers make informed decisions so they can spend their money wisely.
Explore related articles by topic
You’ve viewed 3 of 3 articles
LOAD MORE