As a handyperson, you work different jobs on any given day, which is why it’s so crucial to have the right insurance coverage to protect your livelihood. As you research different insurers and weigh your options, ensure to factor in cost, how quickly you can get a quote, how easily you can access your policy, and how the company shows that it cares about you.
I reviewed nearly 20 companies to find the five best handyman insurance brokers and providers.
Best Providers for Handyman Business Insurance
- Simply Business: Best overall broker for buying insurance online
- Next Insurance: Best overall provider for handyman insurance
- The Hartford: Best for independent contractors
- Thimble: Best for short-term liability
- Hiscox: Best for quick and affordable quotes
Best Providers for Handyman Business Insurance Compared
Simply Business: Overall Best Broker for Buying Insurance Online
Pros
- Instant COI
- Easily compare providers online
- Support services
Cons
- Customer service not available seven days a week
- Not all coverages are available online, such as property
- Cannot file claims directly with Simply Business
Standout Features
- One-stop shop for insurance from different providers
- Quickly compare online quotes
- Allows policies to be purchased online
- Provides a dedicated agent to help you manage your policy
Financial stability: Travelers purchased Simply Business in 2017. One of the older insurance credit rating agencies AM Best rated Travelers an A++ (Superior).
Simply Business is the best overall broker for handyperson insurance because of its quote, policy purchase, and policy management systems. In 10 minutes or less, the broker generates free quotes from top providers for you to compare. It even gives you the flexibility to tailor the limits and deductibles according to your needs.
Simply Business’ greatest weakness is availability—the broker is open only on weekdays, and it doesn’t have an app. While liability and workers’ comp are available online, some other coverages, like commercial property, are only available if you call and speak with a dedicated agent. If you want to manage your policy using an app or be able to create and instantly share a COI for work, then consider Next Insurance, our top-recommended handyperson insurance provider.
During our research to determine the best handyman business insurance companies, Simply Business provided us with five quotes from carriers, including Hiscox. The average price for the policies was $977 annually. No information was provided on the options for monthly payments.
The quotes were for a general liability policy with a $1 million limit, though there was no coverage for tools. If you are looking for coverage beyond general liability (for instance, inland marine or commercial property insurance), you can always call Simply Business to discuss additional coverage options.
Simply Business is available in all 50 states. The quoting process is quick and easy—we received five quotes in less than 10 minutes. When you’ve made a purchase, you will receive a copy of the full policy and a COI.
Simply Business provides you with a personal account where you can manage your policy, add additional insureds, request a COI, and file a claim. The broker has also published a guide for contractors with state-by-state requirements to obtain any necessary licenses.
Users have given Simply Business high marks on third-party review websites. On the independent customer review site Trustpilot[1], Simply Business has a score of 4.8 out of 5 stars from more than 1,100 reviews.
Next Insurance: Overall Best Provider for Handyman Insurance
Pros
- 1,300 professions covered
- Professional liability included with general liability
- Flexible payment plans
Cons
- Customer service isn’t available 7 days a week
- No dedicated 24/7 call center
- Not all coverage is available everywhere
Standout Features
- Next doesn’t require documents to request a quote or bind a policy
- iOS and Android apps to manage policy and claims and create COIs
- Offers tailored coverage for commercial and residential technicians
- Limits of up to $30,000 for tools and equipment available
Financial stability: Next is a newer carrier, but it has created a strong financial foundation to pay claims. AM Best rated Next Insurance an A- (Excellent).
Next Insurance is our overall best provider for handyman insurance because it has the necessary range of policies for handypersons, offers the ability to get instant insurance and a COI online for free, and tailors policies for small businesses in the construction space.
You can purchase inland marine coverage for tools and equipment as an add-on to general liability insurance. Also, you can choose from three levels of coverage: Basic, Pro, and Pro+, with limits for tools ranging from $3,000 to $10,000. The inland marine insurance covers equipment, miscellaneous tools, and borrowed tools and equipment.
The Hartford is a provider similar to Next Insurance but with a larger amount of available coverage, like commercial auto. If you drive and transport tools in a work van dedicated to your business, then consider The Hartford.
Quotes from Next usually come in three levels. We received the following quotes:
- Basic coverage was quoted at $1,787.75 monthly and included $1 million in total general liability insurance and $20,000 in professional liability insurance.
- Premier coverage was quoted at $1,827.84 monthly and included the same liability coverage as the basic, but with an added $5,000 for tools.
- Deluxe coverage was quoted at $1,976.50 monthly, with $2 million aggregate general liability coverage and $50,000 professional liability insurance. The policy also included $10,000 for tools and equipment.
The deductible for tools for both the premier and deluxe coverage is $500.
While Next is available in all 50 states, certain coverage may not be available depending on the state you’re in—for instance, inland marine isn’t available in New York.
Next Insurance has lower-than-average complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Currently, the insurer has over 5,000 user reviews on its website[2], with an average score of over 4 out of 5 stars.
The Hartford: Best for Independent Contractors
Pros
- 24/7 claims line
- Quick online quotes
- Instant access to your policy
Cons
- No app for commercial lines
- Usually unable to purchase a policy online
Standout Features
- Has an online portal for instant access to policy documents
- Offers short-term insurance for quick projects
- Quick and easy quotation and application process
- Offers multiple coverages depending on the project
Financial stability: The Hartford has been in operation for more than 200 years and has proven its financial strength through multiple disasters. The Hartford’s AM Best rating is A+ (Superior).
The Hartford is an experienced insurance provider with over 1 million small business customers. If you are an independent contractor, this provider is your best option because it has developed core policies specifically for independent contractors and lets you create an instant COI to help with any job site requirements. The Hartford is also the only insurer listed in this guide with a 24/7 call center.
This provider’s terms are for six months to a year. If you are looking for short-term coverage, check out Thimble—it’s the only provider on this list with short-term liability insurance coverage.
For most lines of business and industries, including contractors, The Hartford will generate an online quote. However, it usually requires you to call one of its reps to purchase a policy.
Unfortunately, we were unable to get an online quote despite several attempts and were instead referred to speak directly with The Hartford. Given the inherent risk associated with contractors, especially those in the construction industry, the provider referred us to an agent to review the specific risks of our industry.
If you work not only as a handyperson but also as a contractor, The Hartford offers independent contractor business insurance for longer-lasting projects. These policies will satisfy the requirements of any job site or general contractor. As a small business insurance provider, The Hartford offers the full range of coverage you need, including workers’ compensation, professional liability, a business owner’s policy (BOP), and commercial auto.
Customers are quite satisfied with The Hartford’s service. Its complaints for commercial insurance are lower than the national average.
After purchasing your policy, you can manage your account, pay your premium, or file a claim online—and you can even call its service center 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you prefer to use a phone. Besides that, if a customer wants proof of insurance, The Hartford offers COIs on demand.
Thimble: Best for Short-term Liability
Pros
- Flexible policy terms
- Affordable insurance
- Easy-to-use website
Cons
- Nearly impossible to speak to anyone in person
- Claims handled by a third-party administrator
- No commercial auto insurance available
Standout Features
- Offers an app for easy policy and claims management
- Purchase insurance for an hour, day, week, month, or year
- Manage your policy, submit a claim, or create a COI through the app
- Quote process clearly outlines what is (and isn’t) covered
Financial stability: Thimble works with multiple carriers to provide insurance. The quoted policy below was through National Specialty Insurance Company (NSIC). AM Best’s rating of NSIC is A (Excellent).
If you are just starting out as a handyperson or are only doing side work, Thimble is your best option. It is the only provider in this guide to offer short-term liability insurance directly by the day or month, and the coverage for short-term liability insurance is available immediately. Thimble also has annual policies if you’re looking for longer-term insurance.
However, the provider is available only on weekdays, and since it’s a managing general agent, it doesn’t handle claims directly. While Thimble is a great option for getting a quick quote, check out a broker like Simply Business if you’d like to compare quotes to get a better idea of the coverage available.
For one-day general liability coverage that started at the time of the quote and ended at 11:59 p.m. on the same day, we were quoted $28.73. This was for general liability insurance with $1 million in total coverage.
Policies come with $1 million or $2 million limits. The policy is strictly for liability with no equipment or property coverage.
While Thimble doesn’t have a 24/7 call center, the app functions as one, allowing you to obtain a quote, purchase a policy, manage it, and file a claim on your smartphone.
If you’re a handyperson who does jobs in the evening or on the weekend as a side hustle, Thimble’s app makes it easy to get short-term coverage. You can get a quote and purchase a policy for a specific job—and have an instant COI to show to the customer.
Hiscox: Best for Quick & Affordable Quotes
Pros
- Independent agents
- Partners with multiple brokers
- Same-day coverage
Cons
- Only available on weekdays
- Have to call for higher-limit policies
- Higher record of customer complaints
Standout Features
- Offers flexible payment options to meet all business needs
- Allows additional insureds to be easily added to your COI
- Covers numerous industry classifications
- Has worldwide coverage
Financial stability: Hiscox’s AM Best rating is A (Excellent).
With roots that go back to 1901, Hiscox has a history of financial resiliency and offers discounts for home-based businesses. It generates quotes online within minutes, and the prices are usually some of the lowest you will find—partly because the limits may be much lower than the average limit of $1 million.
Target industries for Hiscox include smaller businesses with five to 10 employees, so if you’re a handyperson operating out of your home, this is the best option. The provider’s handyperson policy covers a range of industries, including plumbing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) services.
As a traditional provider, Hiscox services the policy and handles claims in-house If you would like the same type of service but with 24-hour availability, check out The Hartford.
We received a quote for $2,399 annually for a general liability policy for a home-based handyperson business. It offered a monthly option with $599.70 down and then 10 payments of $179.93. The policy came with a total limit of $300,000 with no deductible but did not have the option to insure your tools.
Most insurance policies have a section that details coverage restricted to a specific territory and time. Hiscox covers your work anywhere in the world—so long as you file the claim in the United States, a US territory, or Canada.
While Hiscox does not have a 24/7 call center, its webpage functions like one. You can access and manage your policy, request a COI, and file a claim online. If you do need to speak with someone, you can email or call Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.
Some carriers will require an upfront payment or a down payment along with fees for a monthly plan, but Hiscox has flexible payment options without fees. However, it does have higher-than-expected complaints per the NAIC.
How We Evaluated the Best Insurance for Handyman Businesses
We determined the best handyman insurance companies using our proprietary evaluation system. We focused on the customer’s needs and paid particular interest to convenience, financial ratings (AM Best), customer service, types of policies offered, and the overall experience as a policyholder for a specific company.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Handyman insurance provides protection for your business for claims filed, either due to liability against you or damage to your property. Depending on the size of your business, you should consider these four policies:
- General liability is for third-party claims of injury and property damage.
- Commercial property repairs or replaces your property, including tools and equipment, that may be damaged, lost, or stolen.
- A business auto policy is a coverage you should consider if your van or truck is used as more than a commuter vehicle. If you have a vehicle solely for work, or a converted van with tools and equipment shelves lining it, then you should look into commercial auto coverage.
- Workers’ compensation is necessary, depending on your state, if you employ anyone for your business.
Anyone who works as a handyperson should look into this coverage. At the very least, most states will require handyperson liability insurance if you seek a contractor’s license.
Handyperson insurance quotes consider the risk, experience, and location of the job, among other factors—meaning that the total cost depends on the details of your business. According to Insureon, a liability policy’s average monthly cost is $65. Through The Hartford’s Putty, policies start at $7 a month. At Hiscox, the majority of policyholders pay less than $50 each month.
A COI is proof of liability insurance that is often required when bidding or working on a job. Sometimes, the general contractor will request to be listed as an additional insured and the COI will reflect this request. You can learn more in our guide on what a COI is, which includes a sample certificate.
Bottom Line
Whether you’re installing a ceiling fan or hanging drywall, it’s important to have the right coverage. We’ve taken the time to find you the best handyman insurance companies, and we’ve designated Next Insurance as the best overall insurer. Complete a short online questionnaire and receive a quote in minutes.
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