Handyman Insurance

Finally, Handyman Insurance That’s as Professional as You

You’re a skilled professional, capable of outstanding carpentry work, repairs, and installations. So, don’t you deserve an insurance plan that protects you and meets the needs of your budget?

At Simply Business, we believe you can have both—strong protection and affordable coverage. That’s why we offer free quotes and the ability to quickly compare plans from the nation’s top insurers.

Don’t delay. In your profession, anything can happen. You need handyman liability insurance that will protect you if an accident, injury, or loss happens. It takes just 10 minutes to find a plan today. All you have to do is answer a few quick questions first.

Ready to get started?

Available Policies:

• General liability insurance
• Workers’ compensation insurance

Benefits

• It can protect you if there’s an accident, injury, or loss.

• It demonstrates professionalism to your customers.

• In many states, it’s legally required before you do work.

  

What Type of Coverage is Best for My Handyman Business?

Commercial general liability insurance

First, you may want to get a commercial general liability insurance (CGL) policy. It can cover the costs of most accidents, damage to property, and injuries to third parties, like your customers. It can also protect your tools and equipment if they get damaged or stolen while you’re on the job.

Many states require handymen to purchase insurance before doing work. Even if that’s not the case in your state, it’s still a good idea. Without coverage, you have to pay for these costs all on your own. That could be about $30,000, which is the average claim for small business property damage and accidents.

An example: Imagine you’re cleaning out gutters for a family in your town. You set up your ladder next to the house and step away for 5 minutes to get water. While you’re away, your customer’s son trips over the ladder and gets injured. His parents take him to the hospital, angry that you left your ladder unattended. Later they sue you for their son’s medical bills and ongoing doctor’s visits. This ends up costing thousands of dollars.

Without coverage, you’ll have to pay these bills on your own, as well as legal representation. The sheer cost could end up shutting your business down. But with insurance, you’re more likely to be protected. Your plan may be able to cover the cost of medical bills, plus any legal fees along the way, up to your coverage limit.

General liability insurance usually covers:

What general liability insurance usually doesn’t cover:

Workers Compensation Coverage

If you have employees, you also need workers compensation insurance. In fact, you should get one as soon as you hire your first employee, even if it’s a part-time worker. For most states, it’s a legal requirement.

It makes sense. In 2017, work injury costs added up to $161.5 billion. When an employee is injured, the average cost of a claim for a small business owner is $39,000. In the handyman profession, this could potentially be even more. That’s a lot for any business.

Fortunately, workers compensation may be able to cover you. It can pay for ambulance rides, emergency room visits, medications, and more. It can also cover an employees’ missed wages while they’re recovering.

An example: You’ve hired a new employee to help with a painting project. To paint over the stairs, your employee sets up a ladder. But he quickly falls and hits several stairs. After an emergency room visit, you learn he’s broken several ribs and will be out of work for a couple months recovering.

Without workers compensation, you may need to pay part of your employee’s salary, plus his medical costs. Fortunately, if you have workers compensation, you’re likely covered. It can help you pay for his ER visit, doctor’s checkups, and part of his lost wages. Best of all, this accident may not hurt your business financially.

Workers compensation can usually cover:

However, workers compensation insurance usually does not cover:

Why You Need Handyman Insurance

It’s worth the cost.

Insurance can seem expensive. And, when you’re just starting out or if you work part-time, you might wonder if you really need coverage.

You do. Trust us.

The cost of handyman insurance is very small compared to what you could pay in medical bills or legal fees. Plus, most states require that you purchase commercial general liability insurance and workers compensation anyway. If you don’t have a plan, you could end up paying pricey penalty fees.

Simply Business offers quality insurance plans at a premium you can afford. Currently, our handyman insurance premiums average about $38 per month. Compare that to the average costs of damage or accidents:

• $30,000 for damage to property or accidents
• $39,000 for work injuries
• $20,000 if a customer slips and falls

As a handyman, you can also get sued. In fact, 43% of small business owners say they’ve been threatened or dealt with a civil lawsuit. No business is immune, no matter how big or small.

Even if you haven’t done anything wrong, you can get sued. For example, let’s say you paint the outside of a customer’s house. A couple of years later, they come back to you, dissatisfied with your services. The paint is peeling, and they sue you for the costs of repainting. Even if it’s not your fault, you’ll likely still need to hire a lawyer to defend your business.

It shows you’re professional and trustworthy. Most homeowners want you to carry insurance. It’s even a good idea to showcase your insurance policy in your proposal of work. When deciding between two handymen with similar prices, homeowners may choose someone who appears professional and trustworthy. A good insurance plan helps you demonstrate these qualities.

If you buy insurance through Simply Business, you’ll get a certificate of insurance (COI) that proves you have coverage. You can also share your insurer’s logo with customers.

Handyman Insurance FAQs

• Is a handyman policy required by law?

  It depends on where you live. Some states require you to carry insurance, but others don’t. Check your state’s laws first.

  But, even if your state doesn’t require you to be insured, you should still get a plan. Here’s why:

  • It can prevent you from having to pay for property damage and accidents out of your own pocket.
  • It can cover the cost of a lawyer if your business gets sued.
  • It can demonstrate that you’re professional and credible.
  • It might be able to help you get approved for a contractor’s license.
• Is insurance tax deductible?

  In general, you can typically deduct the costs of commercial general liability insurance and workers compensation. Wondering what other business expenses you can deduct? Find out here. We also recommend that you consult a tax professional for specific advice related to your business.

• How much coverage do I need?

  Every handyman has different needs. The coverage you get will depend on:

  • The size of your business
  • Your payroll and annual revenue
  • The state you live in
  • And more

  Our quote form makes it easy to see what kind of coverage is best for you. If you have more questions, you can always call one of our licensed insurance agents. They’re happy to help answer your questions.

• What should I consider before buying handyman insurance?

  In order to get a free quote in just 10 minutes, we recommend you have this information on hand:

  • Annual revenue estimates
  • Payroll estimates
  • Information about past claims
• Does handyman insurance differ by state?

  It’s possible. Every state handles the requirements for handyman insurance a little differently. Fortunately, our quote form helps. It gives you information based on where you live, so you don’t necessarily have to sort through state-specific details beforehand.

• What does business insurance cover?

  Handyman insurance should include commercial general liability insurance and workers compensation (if you have employees). With these plans, you’re protected against:

  • Bodily injury
  • Accidents and damage
  • Employee injuries
  • Unintentional mistakes
  • And more
• How much does insurance cost?

  Your insurance costs depend on the type of work you do, and if you have any employees. But generally speaking, the cost of your policy is determined by:

  • Payroll estimates
  • The location of your business
  • The specific services you offer
  • And more

  Wondering how much your handyman insurance policy may cost? All you have to do is click here. Then answer a few questions. We’ll help you get free quotes and compare policies.

Why Choose Simply Business?

Need quality handyman insurance fast? You’ve come to the right place.

Simply Business is an online insurance brokerage that specializes in helping small business owners, like you, get financial protection. We’re one of the fastest-growing online brokers for business insurance and have supported thousands of small business owners across the nation.

If you’re wondering why you should choose us, it’s simple:

• We’re trustworthy and reassuring. No one wants to experience an accident, injury, or lawsuit. But if one happens to you, we have your back. You trust us to cover your costs and help you get back on your feet.
• We make it easy to compare free quotes. Insurance doesn’t need to be complicated. Our online quote form recommends policies that perfectly meet your needs.

You’ve worked hard to build your handyman business. It’s time to protect it with coverage you can trust. All you need is 10 minutes today to secure your business’s future.

This content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal, tax, accounting, investment, or any other form of professional advice.