The best handyman insurance companies will offer coverage for the scenarios you’ll encounter, come at an affordable price, be financially sound, and have excellent customer service to deal with questions or claims. You’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but since businesses involved in the industry will work on different types of projects, the best provider will be different for everyone.
To help save you time and point you in the right direction, I’ve researched multiple companies and compiled a list of my top picks for the best insurance companies for handyman businesses.
- Simply Business: Best overall for easy online process
- Next Insurance: Best specialization for construction businesses
- Hiscox: Best for quick online quotes
- The Hartford: Best for independent contractors
- Thimble: Best for short-term coverage
Best insurance for handyman businesses compared
Simply Business: Best overall for easy online process
Pros
- Great way to find handyman insurance quickly
- Top pick if you are looking to save money on insurance
- Great support services for customers
Cons
- Customer service not available 7 days a week
- Not all coverages are available online (e.g., property)
- Cannot file claims directly with Simply Business
Standout features
- One-stop shop for buying insurance from different providers, where you can quickly compare quotes and purchase a policy online
- Simply Business’s target customers are microbusinesses of 1-3 total employees.
- Provides a dedicated agent to help you manage your policy if you prefer to speak with a representative
- Allows you to save money by comparing the same coverages for different prices and then purchasing the one that is best for your business
Financial stability: Travelers purchased Simply Business in 2017. One of the older insurance credit rating agencies, AM Best, rated Travelers an A++ (Superior).
Customer service accessibility: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. ET
My expert opinion
I rated Simply Business as the best overall because of the ease of getting an online quote and low starting prices. After jumping onto the company’s website, I had half a dozen quotes within five minutes. As part of this process, the company provides you with its own recommendation, but you can also customize and explore options through other insurance providers. It is also incredibly affordable — its advertised starting prices are at $21 per month — and it makes purchasing and managing a policy straightforward.
One of the downsides of working with Simply Business is that its customer service team is only available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. With that being said, you can still purchase insurance on a weekend, but you’ll have to wait until a weekday to speak with someone if you have questions. Additionally, some coverages may not be available online and may require you to speak with a representative, depending on your specific circumstances.
If you want to manage your policy using an app or have the ability to create and instantly share a certificate of insurance (COI), other providers such as Next Insurance might be a better fit for you.
I obtained six quotes for handyman insurance in Texas. All of the quotes were for the same coverage amount of $1 million in general liability insurance and an aggregate limit of $2 million.
- Frank Winston Crum Insurance: $54.22 per month
- American Builders Insurance Company: $58.34 per month
- Clear Blue Insurance Company: $61.80 per month
- Markel: $74.04 per month
- Harborway Insurance: $192.75 per month
- Accredited America: $208.50 per month
Here, you can see the importance of getting multiple quotes, as the difference between the cheapest and most expensive options yields a difference of $1,851.36 per year.
Simply Business is available in all 50 states. The quoting process is quick and easy — I received quotes in less than 5 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, Simply Business has a score of 4.6 out of 5 from over 1,400 reviews.
Next Insurance: Best specialization for construction businesses
Pros
- Save up to 25% when you bundle policies
- Professional liability is automatically included with general liability
- Flexible payment plans are available
Cons
- Customer service isn’t available 7 days a week
- No dedicated 24/7 call center
- Not all coverage is available everywhere
Standout features
- Enables you to get insurance easily, as it doesn’t require documents to request a quote or bind a policy
- Allows you to manage your policy and claims, as well as create COIs through its app, which is available on iOS and Android
- Offers tailored coverage to meet the different needs of commercial or 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).
Customer service accessibility: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT
My expert opinion
Next Insurance was my pick as the best company for construction businesses, as its key clients are those involved with general contracting work and handypersons. As a result, its representatives are highly knowledgeable in this line of work and can provide customized policies with the right coverages for your unique circumstances. It also offers the ability to instantly get insurance online.
I visited the Next website and was able to easily get a quote within minutes. I was provided with several easy-to-understand options — ranging from Basic, Premier, and Deluxe coverage options — depending on my preferences. It also outlined what coverages were included and which ones were not, and provided the ability to customize my coverages.
Next Insurance might not be the best fit for you if you drive and transport tools in a work vehicle. For something like this, I would recommend The Hartford, as it also offers commercial auto insurance for easier bundling.
I obtained a quote for a business located in Texas and was given the following three options:
- Basic coverage was quoted at $250.34 monthly and included $1 million in general liability insurance and $10,000 in professional liability insurance.
- Premier coverage was quoted at $409.76 monthly and included the same liability coverage as the basic, but with an additional $30,000 for tools and equipment.
- Deluxe coverage was quoted at $443.09 monthly and provided a higher $2 million aggregate limit for general liability coverage, and $25,000 in professional liability insurance. The same $30,000 premier coverage for tools and equipment is included.
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 3,300 user reviews on its website, with an average score of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
One strength of Next is its app: you can manage your policy, file claims, and produce COIs for free and as often as you need one. I’ve downloaded the app — it is very user-friendly and easy to navigate, and it lets you have a lot of control over how to handle the policy.
Hiscox: Best for quick online quotes
Pros
- Get a fast quote online
- Policies are designed for home-based businesses
- Purchase same-day coverage online
Cons
- Only available on weekdays
- Complaints are average to higher than average
- Does not have commercial auto insurance
Standout features
- Offers flexible payment options without added fees to accommodate the budget for your business
- Allows you to adjust your policy when your business grows and needs higher limits or other coverages
- Supports creating and downloading an instant COI through your online account
- Has general liability, professional liability, inland marine, and workers’ compensation
Financial stability: Hiscox’s AM Best rating is A (Excellent).
Customer service accessibility: Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET
My expert opinion
While there are many insurance companies that can offer fast quotes in a matter of minutes, I was able to secure a quote with Hiscox in under 60 seconds. For this reason, it was my pick for businesses looking for a quick and easy online quotation process. It also advertises instant coverage and quick claims resolution should the need ever arise.
That’s a good segue to a major benefit of working with Hiscox. It’s a more traditional provider, so it handles all policies and claims in-house, something that allows for greater control and speed in resolving claims. It generally targets smaller businesses, so this could be an excellent fit in terms of coverage, expertise, and customer service for handymen operating out of their homes.
While Hiscox is great at handling and responding to claims, it does not have a 24/7 claims call center. While you can file claims on weekends and after hours, you’d have to wait until the next business day to speak with someone. If you’re looking for a company with 24-hour availability, consider The Hartford.
I received a quote for $98.03 per month on a general liability policy for a home-based handyperson business in Texas. This was structured as a single down payment of $326.70, followed by 10 payments of $98.03. This was for a policy with a $1 million limit per occurrence, a $2 million aggregate limit, and no coverage on 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 US, a US territory, or Canada. Honestly, I’m not sure what type of work a handyman would do outside of the US — but it is a nice feature to have.
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, there are more complaints than expected per the NAIC.
The Hartford: Best for independent contractors
Pros
- You can reach claims or customer service 24/7
- Over 1 million small businesses are insured with The Hartford
- Once purchased, you’ll have instant access to your policy
Cons
- There is no app for commercial lines
- Usually, you are unable to purchase a policy online
- Handyman insurance is targeted more toward contractors
Standout features
- Enables you to manage your policy and claims and request a COI through its online portal
- Has coverage for handypersons in multiple fields, including plumbing, electricians, painters, and HVAC
- Provides multiple coverages, depending on the project, through quotes online or over the phone
- Allows you to purchase nearly any type of core small business policy, along with countless endorsements, making the policy a perfect fit for your handyman business
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).
Customer service accessibility: 24/7 call center
My expert opinion
The Hartford has developed core policies specifically for independent contractors and lets you create an instant COI to help with any job site requirements or bidding processes. This insurance company 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 generates an online quote. However, you usually need to call one of its reps to purchase a policy.
Unfortunately, I was unable to get an online quote despite several attempts and was instead referred to speak directly with The Hartford. Given the inherent risk associated with contractors, especially those in the construction industry, the provider referred me to an agent to review the specific risks of our industry.
With that being said, average customer premiums for general liability insurance were typically around $67 per month, which many business owners should find rather affordable. In fact, that’s a major reason it landed The Hartford on our list of the cheapest general liability insurance companies for small businesses.
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 very happy 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.
Its customers are happy with the claim experiences they’ve had with The Hartford. On its website, there are nearly 900 reviews for general liability claims with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Thimble: Best for short-term coverage
Pros
- Flexible policy terms for coverage short-term periods
- Easily modify coverage for specific jobs
- You can get insurance in just minutes
Cons
- Nearly impossible to speak to anyone in person
- A third-party administrator handles claims
- No commercial auto insurance available
Standout features
- Has an app on iOS and Android that lets you get a quote and buy a policy
- Enables you to manage your policy, submit a claim, or create and share a COI through the app
- Allows you to purchase insurance for an hour, day, week, month, or year for short-term projects, making it ideal for someone who finds work on apps like Taskrabbit
- Clearly outlines the coverage (what’s included and what’s not) during the quote process
Financial stability: Thimble works with multiple carriers to provide insurance. The quoted policy below was through the National Specialty Insurance Company (NSIC). AM Best’s rating of NSIC is A (Excellent).
Customer service accessibility: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. ET
My expert opinion
Most policies from insurance providers offer coverage for six months or one year — only a few offer shorter-term coverage, which is more suited for part-time handypersons. With Thimble, I was able to get a quote in a matter of minutes, with the option to choose either long-term coverage or coverage by the job. You can also quickly and easily purchase a policy online for near-instantaneous coverage. For these reasons, Thimble got my vote as the best provider for short-term coverage.
One of the downsides of working with Thimble, however, is that its customer support can be lacking in comparison to other providers. For example, its chat and email support is only available on weekdays during regular business hours. And while our team was able to find a phone number for the company, we were unsuccessful in getting through to a live person. Notably, Thimble is a managing general agent, so it doesn’t handle claims directly.
If any of those are a dealbreaker for you, consider working with a broker like Simply Business.
I obtained a quote for a handyman business located in Texas and received an estimate of under $6 a day. Unlike some other states, Texas state law requires policies to be for a minimum of 60 days, so the total cost came out to $335.61 for $1 million in general liability coverage. The cost was comparable to other states with no minimum coverage period, coming out to a cost ranging from $10 to $30 per day.
You can customize your policy to have either $1 million or $2 million in general liability coverage. Add-ons are also available for things like customer property protection and business equipment protection.
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 phone.
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.
Despite being a newer company, Thimble’s reviews continue to grow in the right direction. There are almost 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot from policyholders, garnering an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
How I evaluated the best insurance for handyman businesses
The overall scores for each insurance company were based on four criteria: financial stability, customer satisfaction, convenience, and policies offered.
- Financial stability: The more financially sound a provider is, the more likely it will be able to pay out claims. To determine the strength of a company, I used AM Best’s financial ratings.
- Customer satisfaction: Reviews and ratings from an insurance company’s current customer base can give the most accurate insight as to what you can expect as a new client. Here, I considered reviews and ratings from various websites such as Google reviews, Trustpilot, and the Better Business Bureau.
- Convenience: Companies that made the quotation and purchasing experience easy scored highly. The amount of time needed for each of these steps was also a consideration in the scoring process.
- Policies offered: For this section, I considered the types of coverages offered, including the amounts and level of customization that were available.
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.
Handyperson insurance quotes consider the risk, experience, and location of the job, among other factors, so the total cost depends on the details of your business. According to our research, a liability policy’s average monthly cost is between $22 and $166.
A certificate of insurance is proof of liability insurance. Commonly called a COI, it is often required when bidding or working on a job. Sometimes, the general contractor requests 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.
While there is no nationwide requirement for this industry, general liability will likely be required in most situations. If you need to be licensed, the licensing board almost always requires general liability. Most municipalities will require it, and some, like Chicago, have stringent requirements for insurance, even for handyman businesses. Even if you can get away without it, the benefits and protections can make the cost of general liability insurance worthwhile with just a single claim.
Every state except Texas and South Dakota requires workers’ compensation insurance. However, the threshold for when it is required changes. Sometimes, it is one employee, and sometimes, it is three or four. If your business is growing and you are hiring employees, make sure you are compliant with the insurance you provide.
Bottom line
Regardless of whether you’re a full-time or part-time handyman, it’s important to have the right amount and type of coverage. Using our list, you should be able to find a company well-suited for your needs, regardless of whether you want to prioritize affordability, customer service, or ease of obtaining coverage. If you’re looking for the best combination of features and qualities, consider checking out Simply Business, as it was selected as the best overall insurance company.
