It is extremely important for individuals running a handyman service to protect themselves and their businesses with the appropriate insurance coverage. Handyman insurance covers risks associated with work performed at a client’s premises, such as accidents resulting in property damage and bodily injury.
Even with all the necessary precautions and safety standards in place, accidents can happen on the job; when an incident inevitably occurs, a handyman insurance policy protects the handyman from legal claims and financial liabilities. The policy will cover all the costs and damages arising from the accident, thus insulating the handyman and their business’s financial resources.
If you’re confused about where to purchase a handyman insurance policy for your business, this guide will take you through the top eight handyman insurance providers in the market today.
These are the insurance providers we’ll be covering:
- The Hartford: Best for independent contractors
- Progressive Commercial: Best for vehicles
- State Farm: Best for small businesses
- Gallagher: Best for risk management and consultancy services
- CNA: Best for multiple liability policies
- CoverWallet: Best for a wide range of coverage options
- Hiscox: Best for swift and affordable quotes·
- Thimble: Best for short-time liability policies and instant COIs
Comparison Table
Insurance Provider | Quote Process | Claims Process | Instant Certificate of Insurance (COI) | Financial Rating |
The Hartford | Online/telephone/ agent | Online/telephone/ agent | Yes | A+ (Superior) |
Progressive Commercial | Online/telephone/ agent | Online/telephone/ agent | Yes | A+ (Superior) |
State Farm | Telephone/ agent | Online/telephone/ app | Yes | A+ (Superior) |
Gallagher | Online | Online/telephone/ | Yes | A+ (Superior) |
CNA | Online/telephone | Online/telephone/ | Yes | A (Excellent) |
CoverWallet | Online/telephone | Online/telephone | Yes | A (Excellent) |
Hiscox | Online/telephone | Online/telephone/ | Yes | A (Excellent) |
Thimble | Online | Online | Yes | A (Excellent) |
Best Handyman Insurance Companies for 2023
Let us now delve deeper into each of these top handyman insurance providers and explore their features, pros and cons, and pricing structures.
The Hartford – Best for independent contractors
Hartford currently provides insurance to over one million small businesses nationwide. Its core policies make it the ideal option for independent contractors, and coverage is available in all 50 states. Standout features include a comprehensive coverage limit and project-based offerings, ideally suited to handyman businesses of all sizes.
Pros & Cons
pros
- Availability of short-term and per-project coverage
- Multiple personalized plans for handymen
- Round-the-clock phone support for claims
cons
- Project-based coverage only available in 26 states
- Complicated online quote process
- Does not cover tools and equipment
Pricing
Pricing for handyman insurance from The Hartford will depend on your specific requirements. You must request a quote online and speak with a company representative to receive an accurate quote. A two-day policy with $300,000 in coverage will cost approximately $18, while a three-day policy with $1 million will cost roughly $57.
Progressive Commercial – Best for vehicles
Progressive Commercial is one of the most experienced commercial vehicle insurers in the United States. It offers the option to integrate auto insurance and handyman insurance policies.
Pros & Cons
pros
- Coverage for work vehicles that are also used for personal transport
- Various discounts available
- Commercial vehicle coverage extends to all 50 states
- Convenient mobile app
cons
- Does not cover tools and equipment
- Limited coverage options
Pricing
The average monthly commercial vehicle insurance premium for contractors from Progressive Commercial stands at around $186. The company also offers various discounts.
State Farm – Best for small businesses
Handyman policies fall under State Farm’s business insurance for artisan and service contractor offerings. These are similar to business owners’ policies but include features and clauses that protect trade work. State Farm policies cover claims reported after completing the job, tools and equipment, business personal property, and more.
Pros & Cons
pros
- Single policy that integrates several kinds of coverage
- Offers personalized plans to suit every budget
- Convenient mobile app
- Customizable policies
- Local agents provide personalized service in all 50 states
cons
- The abundance of policy options may pose challenges in understanding
- Online quotes not available for small business insurance
Pricing
You will need to request a customized quote based on your specific requirements from a local State Farm agent.
Gallagher – Best for risk management and consultancy services
Gallagher is a prominent global insurance brokerage firm specializing in providing comprehensive small business insurance coverage in collaboration with a diverse range of carrier partners. This industry leader offers invaluable support in developing strong risk management strategies and conducts essential employee safety and compliance training.
Pros & Cons
pros
- Competitive pricing
- Swift online quotes
- Customer service
- Offers guidance on various types of insurance coverage
cons
- Some users have reported issues when getting claims processed
- Lacks email and live chat support
Pricing
Expect to find competitive pricing options with Gallagher. Requesting a personalized quote is a swift and easy process requiring you to fill out basic company information online. Alternatively, you could speak with a company broker to request a quote.
CNA – Best for multiple liability policies
CNA has been around for over 120 years and is one of the largest business insurance providers in the United States. The firm provides various commercial insurance options and customized plans for businesses of all sizes across all industries.
Pros & Cons
pros
- Multiple liability insurance and coverage options
- Easy claims process
- Customizable plans
cons
- Customer service could be better
- Limited online support
- Need to contact an agent to receive a quote
Pricing
Pricing is determined based on your specific requirements, and you will need to contact a CAN agent to submit your information before you receive a quote.
CoverWallet – Best for a wide range of coverage options
CoverWallet is ideal for business owners who want the flexibility to be able to enhance their handyman policies with various add-on features and endorsements. It offers several coverage options to protect the business from damage arising from operational interruptions, equipment failure, injuries, and more.
Pros & Cons
pros
- A broad selection of policy add-ons
- Individual assessment report to determine the ideal policy type
- Round-the-clock phone support
- Appoints dedicated agents to every quote
cons
- Long chat support response times
Pricing
Pricing will vary significantly based on the size of your business and your specific requirements. You will need to contact CoverWallet for a custom quote.
Hiscox – Best for swift and affordable quotes
Hiscox offers extremely affordable handyman insurance, and premium costs will vary based on several factors, such as the size of your business, location, and more. The online quote tool is straightforward and can provide an accurate quote based on your requirements.
Pros & Cons
pros
- Handyman general liability insurance policies start as low as $30 monthly
- Various kinds of coverage for small businesses
- Online quote and purchase process is streamlined and straightforward
- Wide coverage amount range from $300,000 to $2 Million
cons
- No coverage for tools and equipment
- Not available in Alaska
- Phone support only available on weekdays
Pricing
Hiscox offers extremely affordable handyman insurance. The online quote tool is extremely easy to use and can provide you with an accurate quote based on your requirements.
Thimble – Best for short-time liability policies and instant COIs
Thimble offers flexible short-term coverage options by hour, day, or month. It is the ideal option for handymen that need different coverage for different jobs. Features an easy-to-use mobile app through which customers can easily manage or modify their policies, edit coverage terms, and retrieve COIs.
Pros & Cons
pros
- Easy online enrolment
- Offers flexible duration policies on demand
- Policies can easily be altered, stopped, or cancelled
- Convenient mobile app
cons
- Limited phone support
- Several excluded activities
Pricing
Handyman insurance prices start at just $5 per hour.
Our Methodology for Picking the Best Handyman Insurance Service Providers
In compiling the 2023 list of leading handyman insurance providers, we meticulously analyzed the preferences of potential customers. Our evaluation encompassed a range of aspects, including policy diversity, customer service quality, financial ratings, and overall convenience.
This comprehensive approach granted us valuable insights into the distinctive experiences offered by each of these insurers.
Conclusion
Securing the right insurance for small businesses, especially handyman services, is critical to long-term success and peace of mind. As we explored the best handyman insurance companies for 2023, it became evident that the right coverage goes beyond mere protection—it becomes a strategic asset. By considering the unique needs of your business, the types of policies on offer, exceptional customer service, robust financial ratings, and overall convenience, you can make an informed decision to safeguard your handyman enterprise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is handyman insurance, and why do I need it?
Handyman insurance is designed to protect the handyman’s finances from legal claims and financial liabilities arising from accidents or mishaps that might occur on the job. If you own a handyman business, you need handyman insurance to cover the risks of working on a client’s premises.