California Handyman Insurance: Cost & Quotes

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Updated: March 27, 2025 . 8 min read

Written by Ofir Sahar

CEO & Founder

Ofir Sahar

CEO & Founder

Some of the products on this page come from partners who may compensate us when you click on their links or take specific actions. This helps us keep our content free. That said, our opinions are our own and based on independent analysis.

 

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 profit.

In California, handyman workers must meet requirements like possessing a contractor license and getting proper permits for work for more than $500.

This article explores the various california handyman insurance policies, for the costs and the best companies offering.

Does a Handyman Need Insurance in California?

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.

Handyman Liability Insurance in California

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

General Liability Insurance for Handymen in California

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.

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

 

Professional Liability Insurance for Handymen in California

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.

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

Compare California Handyman Insurance Quotes Online

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Tools and Equipment Insurance for Handymen in California

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.

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

Commercial Property Insurance for Handymen in California

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.

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

Business Owner’s Policy for Handymen in California

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

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Commercial Auto Insurance for Handymen in California

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.

 

Cost of Handyman Insurance in 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.

Best California Handyman Insurance Companies

NEXT 

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 earned an A- financial score from AM Best rating. 

Average cost: $13 per month

Our rating: 10/10

Pros

  • 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 

Cons

  • Couldn’t find any

The Hartford

The Hartford has an A+ BBB rating for its customer satisfaction and boasts an A+ rating from AM Best.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.

Average cost: $19 per month 

Our rating: 10/10

Pros

  • The filing process is online and simple
  • Instant insurance certification
  • Combining policies is easy

Cons

  • Fewer options than some

Compare California Handyman Insurance Quotes Online

Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!

CoverWallet

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.

Average cost: $60 per month 

Our rating: 10/10

Pros

  • Compares quotes quickly
  • Good selection of insurance partners
  • Represents you in the claims process

Cons

  • Not a provider

Tivly®

Like CoverWallet, Tivley is one 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. 

Average cost: $29 per month 

Our rating: 10/10

Pros 

  • Quick process
  • Huge partner selection
  • Helps connect you through a tailored customer experience

Cons

  • Doesn’t write the policies

Thimble

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.

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. 

Average cost: $42 per month

Our rating: 10/10

Pros

  • Helps you with risk management
  • Purchase what you need
  • Bundling multiple policies is simple

Cons

  • Not a provider

Hiscox

Hiscox is a great choice for small business handyman workers. 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.

Average cost: $28 per month 

Our rating: 10/10

Pros

  • Tailored insurance for small businesses
  • Worldwide coverage if the policy is purchased in US or Canada
  • Dedicated claims agents

Cons

  • Purchases require talking to an agent

 

About the author

Ofir Sahar

Ofir is the founder and CEO of Insuranks. He established Insuranks in 2019 from scratch and has been running educational insurance websites since 2009 on a mission to help businesses...See full bio.

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