Knowing your trade is one thing. Knowing how to shield your business from the unexpected is another.
You've built your handyman business one job at a time—fixing leaky faucets in Herkimer, hanging doors in Lowville, patching drywall across Central New York. Customers call because you deliver. But every job carries risk, and one claim without adequate coverage could set back everything you've worked to build.
At the Horan insurance agency, we work with small business owners throughout CNY—including handymen who have a hard time finding coverage elsewhere.
In this article, we'll walk you through why handyman insurance is difficult to find, what coverage options are worth considering, and how we can help you get insured.
Why Most Insurers Don’t Cover Handymen and How We Can Help
As a handyman, you never know what kind of job you might get called for. One day, you might be fixing a leaky faucet or a broken window in Herkimer. The next day, you might be zipping over to Lewis County to install a ceiling fan or a new door in Lowville. You might even be doing some carpentry, painting, or landscaping work throughout CNY.
You might have noticed that finding insurance for your handyman business is not easy. That’s because many insurers are reluctant to cover a jack-of-all-trades like you. They prefer to insure businesses that specialize in one service, such as
- flooring,
- painting,
- drywall,
- masonry,
- HVAC,
- or another specialty
They think that handymen who do all of these and more are too risky and unpredictable.
They don’t understand the scope and the value of your work. That’s also why some agents might ignore your calls or fail to give you quotes. They don’t have the resources or the knowledge to find the right coverage for you.
But don’t worry. We have good news for you. We have the ability to get you coverage that is specifically designed for the handyman. The qualified carriers we partner with offer handyman insurance policies that cover a wide range of services and activities.
Whether you do plumbing, electrical, carpentry, or anything in between, we can find a policy that matches your needs and budget. We can also customize your policy to include any additional coverages you might need, such as tools and equipment, workers compensation, or commercial auto.
We know how to work on your behalf to find solid coverage for your handyman business. Contact us to get started.
The Six Ways General Liability Can Help Cover Your Business
One of the most important coverages that you need as a handyman is General Liability. This coverage can apply to the following scenarios:
Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability
This can cover you if you accidentally hurt someone or damage their property while working on a project. For example:
- You break a pipe while fixing a faucet, causing water damage to the client’s walls and furniture.
- You drop a ceiling fan on a client, injuring them.
Products and Completed Operations Liability
This can cover you if your work or products cause harm to someone or their property after you finish the project. For example:
- Your faulty wiring causes an electrical fire in the client’s home.
- Your loose board causes a client to trip and get injured on their deck.
Personal and Advertising Injury Liability
This can cover you if you infringe on someone’s rights or reputation through advertising or communication. For example:
- You use someone else’s photo without permission in your social media post.
- You write a negative review about a competitor’s work, defaming them.
Medical Payments
This can cover the medical expenses of someone who gets injured on your premises or because of your work, regardless of fault. For example:
- You drop a tool on a client’s foot, requiring them to see a doctor.
- You’re up on a ladder, and a client gets hit by a falling object, needing medical treatment.
Damage to Rented Premises
This can cover the damage you cause to a rented space you use for your business. For example:
- A fire breaks out and damages your unit.
Legal Defense Costs
This can cover the legal fees you incur if someone sues you for any of the above reasons. For example:
- A client sues you for negligence, claiming you caused more damage to their property.
- A competitor sues you for false advertising, claiming you make unrealistic promises in your marketing materials.
Don’t Risk Your Handyman Business Without General Liability Insurance
General Liability is vital coverage for your handyman business. It can help address costly claims and lawsuits that could damage your reputation and finances. It can also help you attract more customers and build credibility with them.
Without General Liability, you’re exposing yourself and your business to unnecessary risks that could jeopardize your success.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to get insured. Contact us today, and let us help you find the best handyman insurance policy for your needs.
We’re an independent CNY insurance agency that has worked with small businesses for years. We have the experience and the expertise to help you navigate the complex and confusing world of insurance. We work with multiple carriers to compare rates and options, and we tailor each policy to your specific needs and budget.
We're not tied to any one company, so we can offer you unbiased information and straightforward recommendations. We're also your local resource, so we understand the challenges and opportunities handymen face in CNY. We're here to support you and help you grow your business.
Running a handyman business means showing up ready for whatever the day brings. Having the right insurance coverage in place means you won't face an unexpected claim alone.
The Horan insurance agency works with CNY handymen who struggle to find coverage through standard channels. We work with carriers that write policies for your trade, and we can walk you through the coverage options that make sense for your situation — without the runaround.
Click the Get a Quote button below to fill out a short form and get started, or call us at 315-635-2095 to speak with one of our licensed agents.
But if you need more information on moving from personal insurance coverage to a commercial policy as your handyman business grows, read When Should Small Contractors Switch from Personal to Commercial Auto Insurance?
