Did you know that small DIY and domestic repair and improvement projects around the US amounted to $457 billion in 2020? Despite the small cost and scope of these kinds of projects, they add up to quite a sum.
These small projects can still be a significant source of liability for your handyman business if you aren’t careful. In California, handyman workers must meet requirements like possessing a contractor license and getting proper permits for work for more than $500.
Even if you are doing smaller jobs, handyman insurance policies may be a solid investment to protect against being exposed to liability on the job. This article will cover tackle all questions about handyman insurance in California, such as:
Does a handyman need insurance in California?
What are the different types of business insurance for handymen in California?
Cost of handyman insurance in California
Best California handyman insurance companies
California law requires that any licensed handyman has specific insurance policies to be able to operate in the state. These policies are a general liability insurance policy and a worker’s compensation insurance policy.
However, someone can operate as an unlicensed handyman if they do not accept any job that exceeds $500 in value. When operating as an unlicensed handyman, you do not need to have insurance.
California handyman liability insurance comes in different forms of coverage. The most common types of handyman liability insurance coverage are listed below:
| Policy | What it Covers |
|---|---|
| General liability | Covers liabilities and expenses incurred from damage if a non-employee gets hurt or property becomes damaged on the job. |
| Professional Liability | Helps handymen defend themselves if they are accused of making a mistake that causes the client to lose money |
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $1,000,000 | $100,000 | $5,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | Excluded | Yes |
| Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included? | Yes | No | Excluded | Excluded | Yes |
| Equipment breakdown floater included? | No | Yes | Yes | Excluded | No |
| Can you get a certificate of insurance online? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
General liability insurance is the bread and butter of handymen insurance in California. Any licensed handymen will be required to have this, and clients commonly ask for proof of coverage to agree to a job. General liability can help pay for certain expenses like:
Hospital visits and medical fees
Property damage on the job
Any lawyer's fees and court judgments
The minimum general liability coverage required to get a handyman license in California is a policy with a cumulative limit of $1 million. These licensing requirements are decided by the California Contractors State License Board.
Without a license, a handyman is limited to simpler and less costly jobs. Examples include:
Hang drywall
Fix a broken fence
Repair leaky sinks
Fix a toilet that won’t flush
Repair someone’s door
Fix household appliances
Yes, a handyman will need to have a license for any jobs that exceed $500 in value, which requires a general liability insurance policy.
| CoverWallet (Best) | NEXT | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $10,000/$25,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $250,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $20,000/$50,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $250,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 | $500 | $500 |
Professional liability insurance is the policy that protects Handymen from any errors or omissions that happen on the job. For example, if you improperly install a toilet and that toilet floods the bathroom, this policy could cover the liability expenses you may incur.
Professional liability insurance is not required by California law. However, professional liability policies can be included in general liability policies, which are required by law for licensed handyman workers.
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| NEXT (Best) | Thimble | |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregate limit | $5,000/$10,000 | $1,000/$5,000 |
| Offered as an endorsement to general liability insurance? | Yes | Yes |
| Covers hired and borrowed equipment? | Yes | Yes |
| Miscellaneous equipment also covered? | Yes | No |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 |
Tools and equipment insurance in California covers the handyman’s expensive gear while it is on a job site. Any damage to your equipment can be covered, as well as instances of theft. It is sometimes an add-on for general liability policies.
Yes, personal tools can be insured through a tools and equipment policy. However, any damage or theft they experience is only covered while they are used on a job.
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Hiscox | The Hartford | Thimble | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $110,000 | $15,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $15,000 | $15,000 | $50,000 | $250,000 |
| Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Included | Excluded |
| Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | Included | Included | Included |
| Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | Included | Included | Excluded |
| Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Included |
| Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | Included | Included | Included |
Commercial property insurance focuses on liabilities and expenses that may occur away from the job site. If you have real estate where you store equipment, tools, or materials, while they are on the premise, they are covered for thefts or damages. This insurance also covers damage to the building itself as well.
No, commercial property insurance policies are not required by law for licensed handyman workers.
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | The Hartford | Hiscox | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General liability aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 |
| Commercial property coverage limit | $50,000 | $320,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $35,000 | $75,000 |
| Optional policies can be added? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds for free? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BOP discount? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Business owner’s policy combines claims from other policies like commercial property and general liability to save costs rather than buying both policies. Business owner’s policy can cover things like:
Property damage
Lawsuit fees
Medical expenses
Stolen business property
Commercial auto insurance for handymen covers any expenses that their vehicle incurs while performing their work. Regular auto insurance will typically not cover the damage from accidents related to work unless it happens during a work commute.
Any commercial auto policies must have a minimum limit of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. They must also include at least $5000 of property damage. This policy limit may increase based on the type of vehicle. These limits are set by the DMV of California.
The average California handyman insurance cost is $80 per month for a $1 million general liability coverage. The price of handyman insurance will vary based on the policy options available and the tools and equipment you need to be covered. Below is a price comparison of some of the top handyman insurance companies in California:
| Company | Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEXT | $13 | $156 | Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for handymen |
| The Hartford | $19 | $228 | Tracking claims |
| Hiscox | $28 | $336 | Small businesses |
| Tivly | $29 | $348 | Comparing handyman insurance quotes over the phone |
| Thimble | $42 | $504 | Policy bundling |
| CoverWallet | $60 | $720 | Comparing handyman insurance quotes online |
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Handyman liability insurance in California is not always easy to find because of the many options that exist out there. Luckily, we have created a roundup of some of the best choices and the advantages of having a handyman insurance policy with their company.
Best overall
Issues an online proof of insurance instantly
Fastest general liability insurance handymen
Great customer service and reputation
Excellent rates
Outstanding value for money
Get a 10% discount if you buy two or more policies
Couldn’t find any
NEXT has affordable insurance options no matter what the size of your business is. They offer cover policies for equipment, general liability, professional liability, and commercial property. Their general liability insurance can also be packaged with professional liability and tools & equipment coverage.
This company was founded in 2016 but has garnered an impressive amount of expertise in that time. They earned an A- (Excellent) financial score from AM Best rating. They report servicing over 420,000 customers a year with a high retention rate.
Best for: Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for handymen
Average cost: $13 per month
Our rating: 10/10
The filing process is online and simple
Instant insurance certification
Combining policies is easy
Fewer options than some
The Hartford has an A+ BBB rating for its customer satisfaction and boasts an A+ rating from AM Best. Their financial security translates into $11 billion of direct premiums written in 2022. They are a great choice for a small business owner since they service over one million small businesses every year.
They offer general liability insurance, commercial property insurance, professional liability insurance, and business owner’s policy insurance options that handyman workers can take great advantage of.
Best for: Tracking claims
Average cost: $19 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Compares quotes quickly
Good selection of insurance partners
Represents you in the claims process
Not a provider
CoverWallet, as its name suggests, is a digital wallet for your insurance policies. It allows you easily compare quotes from top insurers so you can choose the right one. They have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
CoverWallet offers general liability insurance options for handyman workers in California through their partners. You can get free quotes online, or you can leave your insurance decision in the hands of an experienced broker that provides customized recommendations.
Best for: Comparing handyman insurance quotes online
Average cost: $60 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Quick process
Huge partner selection
Helps connect you through a tailored customer experience
Doesn’t write the policies
Like CoverWallet, Tivley is another tremendous digital marketplace with many insurance partners. They have over 200 different insurance partners, which guarantees that you will have lots of choices. They are focused on the digital space but have over 20 years of insurance experience under their belt.
Some of the top providers of handyman liability insurance that they partner with is The Hartford, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, and Gallagher. Tivley is highly reviewed online and has an A rating from the BBB. Call a representative to compare quotes over the phone.
Best for: Comparing handyman insurance quotes over the phone
Average cost: $29 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Helps you with risk management
Purchase what you need
Bundling multiple policies is simple
Not a provider
Thimble has one of the best selections for handymen for their liability insurance thanks to its policy bundling and many partners. They allow you to bundle general liability, professional liability, business owner’s policy, and tools & equipment however you want. You only pay for what you need.
This company is a jack of all trades, supporting insurance policies for over 300 professions. This makes it easy to get those extra options that might be convenient. They have an A+ rating from the BBB and have been accredited since 2018. They have an impressive 4.5/5 stars for their customer reviews on BBB.
Best for: Policy bundling
Average cost: $42 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Tailored insurance for small businesses
Worldwide coverage if the policy is purchased in US or Canada
Dedicated claims agents
Purchases require talking to an agent
Hiscox is a great choice for small business handyman workers. They offer a tailored general liability policy that protects against bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury.
This company has an A+ from AM Best for its financial strength. They use their business acumen to write policies for 500,00 customers, many of whom take advantage of their small business expertise.
Best for: Small businesses
Average cost: $28 per month
Our rating: 10/10
1 / 5
Use anyone except Employers. Period. They are non-transparent and shameful. After I complained long enough to warrant a call from a supervisor, the supervisor called back from a PRIVATE NUMBER (no caller ID), left a message that they are not reversing their decision (without any communication with me), and failed to leave a phone number for me to call back. She was hiding! They also fact find via email and phone calls, which is terrific for speed and communication. However, after setting a precedence of email or phone calls, they send time sensitive information via email, without any heads up... they are hoping you miss it and forfeit via expiration. Evil policies. Go elsewhere.
1 / 5
This place is an absolute joke of a company and should be ashamed of the way they conduct business. I was hurt on the job at the end of July and it took them just shy of 7 weeks to issue out a paycheck to me. Yes the amount was back dated but still. Not many have the luxury of not receiving a paycheck for almost 2 months. To top it all off, the original adjuster marked me down for the wrong state which caused a problem from the get go, I've had 3 different adjusters now since each one can't seem to figure out the simplicity of my claim. All my paperwork which includes, my job, house, and drs visits all are from the same state and city but yet some how I have been filed under a completely different state 1500 miles away. They do not answer your phone calls or emails no matter how many you leave. I've had to escalate my frustrations to the supervisors of each of these individuals in order to even get some kind of response. I've had more communication and information given to me about my claim from the customer service representatives then the actual adjusters.......... please tell me how that works?! A serious overhaul needs to happen here in order to serve your clients the way they deserve to be taken care of. 10/10 do not recommend this company to a single soul on earth
1 / 5
I have never had the displeasure of working with a more incompetent and disrespectful person in my life. I’m an injured worker and the adjuster that was assigned to my case was named Carrie Furgeson. In the past 6 weeks that I’ve been injured and out of work I have only been able to get ahold of her twice, not for lack of trying. I have left countless voicemails, countless emails, and she ignores them all. When I am finally able to get ahold of her I’m greeted with terrible customer service. She is rude, she talks over me and I’m hardly able to get a word in edgewise. She spelled my name wrong on my documents even after I spelled it for her properly countless times, this caused a whole new issue with my bank. I have bill collectors from the hospital calling me demanding payment and Carrie Furgeson won’t do a single thing to help, or to get them paid. All of my documentation is in Colorado, my job is in Colorado, my address is in Colorado, all my Dr offices and appointments have been in Colorado and Carrie still managed to hold my claim because she wasn’t sure what state she needed to file it under. It’s been 6 weeks since my Injury and my company still hasn’t received the wage paperwork to fill out so they can get me my correct wages. When she’s not ignoring me she’s answering my questions with “I don’t know” well I don’t know how she got this job, because apparently she doesn’t know anything about it. She is a disgusting morose individual inside and out and I genuinely wish her the worst in all of her future endeavors. I highly recommend you don’t use this company. Please if you are a business owner and your looking into this company please don’t use them. I’m sure they have the cheapest payment and that’s why companies use them in the first place, but you will be doing your employees a grave disservice by forcing them to venture into this absolute dumpster fire of a company. I would rate 0/5 if possible but 1 was the lowest I was allowed.
5 / 5
Their general liability insurance purchase process is simply the best online experience I've ever had in my life!
5 / 5
As long as they cover your line of business, you're literally covered! best rates, best coverage, best online experience, best professionals, can't be happier that I chose them!
Not all those who wander are lost.
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