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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.
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.
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 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:
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 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 |
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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 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 |
| 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:
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.
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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