Insuring your handyman business
Your work is complex and involved – as are the demands of your clients, but despite your best efforts, sometimes things break, or mistakes are made. You need to be able to deal with unhappy customers, or onsite accidents that result in injury. Putting business insurance in place means you have cover to help when things don’t go to plan and at Hiscox we can tailor your insurance package to your company.
Why you need business insurance as a handyman
Illness and injury
Work as a handyman or handywoman is demanding, but it’s not just about lifting and shifting, hammering and painting – your client or even a member of the public could be injured, whether you’re at fault or not.
You may also face compensation claims if a client or member of the public is injured. We’ll cover you for expenses, legal claims and loss of earnings, so you can get on with your clients’ projects.
Unhappy clients
Despite your best efforts, you might be challenged on the work you deliver. It could be that a project goes over budget, or the client demands revisions that cause disagreements. Maybe they just change their mind.
No matter who’s at fault, if a client brings a claim, your business insurance policy is designed to defend and protect you.
Protecting your tools
Without tools, you can’t work. It could be that someone breaks into your van and steals your tools during a job.
Having property away and in transit, or tool, insurance means there's help with the cost of replacements. This helps your handyman business to get back on track.
If you’re not sure what you need, tell us a little more about what you do. We’ll help you to build your quote and explore any other insurance needs.
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Key types of insurance for the handyman industry
Public liability insurance
No matter how careful you are in your trade, you can’t always anticipate what other people will do, especially if they’re members of the public who aren’t up to speed on what you’re doing. Public liability insurance protects you if a member of the public, or your client, claims they’ve been injured or their property was damaged because of your actions at work.
Public liability insurance can cover the cost of compensation and the legal expenses of the claims process.
Employers' liability insurance
Employers’ liability insurance can help to pay compensation should an employee become injured or ill through their work for you.
Employers’ liability insurance can be required by law (external link) if you employ people. So, if you’ve recently taken on an employee, even casual part-time staff, to support with your client jobs you’ll likely need to arrange this insurance.
Tool insurance
As a handyman or handywoman, tool insurance, technically known as property away and in transit, helps to protect your equipment when you’re out on a job or en route to one.
You naturally rely on your tools to get the job done – whether that’s precision screwdrivers or powerful drills. But should they be lost or physically damaged while you’re on-site, tool insurance could help with the cost of replacements.
Other business insurance covers are available to handymen. You might add commercial property insurance if you own buildings, business contents insurance for what's inside your premises or equipment breakdown insurance in case something fails mechanically.
These are just some of the types of business insurance we offer. We can provide other specific types of cover and build them into a policy tailored to the exact needs of your business.
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