It is possible to be hired as a handyman (or handyperson/handyworker) to do everything from repair screen doors to air conditioning to lawn sprinklers to gutter cleaning. Here, we will explain what you need to know about handyman insurance in Florida, as well as how to get a handyman license. Here’s how to get a handyman license in Florida.
Find the right handyman business insurance in Florida
In Florida, we offer customized handyman insurance policies for small businesses and self-employed individuals. Oh, and when you bundle two or more policies, you can save up to 10%.
Liability in general
You can get financial protection from general liability insurance if someone other than an employee gets injured or if you damage another person’s property. For a handyman license in your state, general liability may be required, and clients often ask for proof of coverage. Contractors’ E&O, or professional liability coverage, is included in general liability for handymen, and can cover business disagreement costs.
You can use General Liability to pay for:
- Payments for medical care
- Damage to property
- Judgments and legal fees
E&O insurance for contractors
Handyman business errors and omissions insurance (also known as professional liability) allows you to defend yourself if you make a mistake that costs someone money. The handyman business insurance policy may cover expenses incurred as a result of someone breaking into your building and stealing equipment if you were accused of improperly installing a door.
You can use Professional Liability to pay for:
- Negligence (actual or alleged) by a professional
- Costs associated with legal defense
- Judgments
- Equipment & Tools
Gear and equipment protection
The handyman gear you keep in your vehicle, on a trailer, or on a job site is protected by tools and equipment coverage. We offer tools & equipment insurance for handymen as an add-on to our general liability insurance if you do not own or lease property and regularly carry expensive equipment to a job site.
With Inland Marine, you can pay for:
- Owned equipment
- Clothing and tools for employees
- Equipment borrowed from a friend
In Florida, what are the insurance requirements for handymen?
Your handyman job is worth more than $2,500, or you advertise as a contractor, so Florida requires you to have insurance. You should first research the insurance requirements in your county. For example, in Miami-Dade, Florida, you must have the following insurance before taking on a job:1
A handyman business is protected from financial losses due to accidents caused by third-party bodily injury or property damage by general liability insurance, also known as commercial general liability (CGL). Suppose a client trips over your toolbelt and sprains their ankle, and your general liability insurance covers the trip to the emergency room and pain medication for them.
Business owners should have worker’s compensation insurance if their employees are injured or ill on the job. It can cover medical expenses, lost wages, disability, and rehabilitation costs.
In Florida, what other types of insurance do handymen need?
The following policies are not required, but they are recommended as they can protect you and your hard-earned income from other risks.
A professional liability policy protects your company from claims that your clients have suffered financial or reputational harm as a result of your improper services. The term is also used to refer to “errors and omissions insurance” or “professional indemnity insurance”.
Inland Marine insurance protects your own or rented work equipment from accidental loss, damage, or theft while you are transporting it to job sites.
You can insure the building where you work as well as the contents of your business within 100 feet of it with commercial property insurance. Through Thimble’s Business Owners Policy (BOP), which is bundled with general liability, you can purchase commercial property insurance. Thus, your office and the equipment in it are covered from third-party claims, while your first-party property is protected.
What is the cost of Handyman insurance in Florida?
The average monthly cost of Thimble’s Handyman Insurance in Florida is $115.82. There are several factors that influence your quote, such as your ZIP code, the length of your policy, and whether you need additional coverage, such as equipment protection, professional liability insurance, or a business owner’s policy.
The price you pay for handyman insurance in Florida will be determined by several factors, including:
- History of claims
- Limits you set for yourself
- Experience in the workplace
- What is the number of employees you have
The average handyman in Florida pays about $13 per month for business insurance.
NEXT offers coverage for more than 1,300 small business professions at the right price, no matter what you do.
In Florida, what are the requirements for handyman licensing?
You must know how to classify your business operations before you start working. Handy workers are not required to obtain the same licenses as contractors as long as the work is relatively minor and the cost of labor, materials, and other items does not exceed $2,500.
In addition, you need a contractor’s license if your work is part of a larger project undertaken by a general contractor (as a subcontractor) or if you advertise your services as a contractor. Florida requires you to be licensed if your jobs total over $2,500.
In order to prove to the state that you are competent and have the necessary insurance coverage, you’ll have to follow a series of steps.
In your county, you should find out what licenses you need to pass because different jobs require different licenses. Miami-Dade County, for instance, requires plumbing maintenance contractors to pass an exam that tests their knowledge of fixtures, fittings, faucets, and other topics.
Proof of insurance may be required for Florida handymen and workers if they seek licensure in the state. To determine if this obligation applies to you, check with the Department of Business & Professional Regulation or your local licensing board. As an example, officials in Orlando require current proof of workers’ compensation insurance or a relevant exemption from contractors. Thimble obtains and sends a Certificate of Insurance to your app and inbox quickly, which shows that your policy is both active and valid. Downloading as many COIs as needed is gratis.
Obtain your state license and register with your county authorities: When you obtain your state license, you might need to submit it to the county authority where your business is located. A Certificate of Insurance, containing your company’s name and contact information, as well as a Certificate of Insurance for workers’ compensation and liability coverage, may also be required.6
As with insurance, a surety bond guarantees that you will do your job well, be honest, and adhere to local, state, and federal regulations. A surety bond or continuation certificate is required for specialty contractors and state-registered contractors in Orlando. For state-regulated contractors, a surety bond of $5,000 is required, while specialty contractors that are not regulated by the state are required to provide a bond of $1,000.
Make sure your business doesn’t get swamped by a claim
You should buy handyman insurance before an accident occurs and you need to file a claim. You may not even be able to work in Florida without this coverage.
Handyman Insurance premiums vary depending on your ZIP code and other factors.
It is mandatory for Florida handymen to pass a licensing exam, provide proof of insurance, obtain a surety bond, and register with local regulatory agencies.
Florida’s 5 Best Handyman Insurance Companies
Our research has led us to recommend the 5 best handyman insurance companies in Florida.
1. Online quotes are best with CoverWallet
The CoverWallet app is a digital business insurance broker that offers you quotes from a number of companies. They will only show you quotes from companies they are partnered with, so you should still shop around.
There are agents at CoverWallet who can help you figure out what type of insurance you need, including general liability, business owner’s policy, workers compensation, and property insurance.
The quote is for a BOP policy for a handyman business in Florida with two full-time employees and annual revenue of $400,000.
2. Working with an agent nationwide is best
You can start an online quote with Nationwide, but you’ll have to call and work with an agent to buy a policy. Nationwide has thousands of agents located across the country, so finding one should be easy. If you don’t know what you need, you can call a coverage assistant for assistance.
Nationwide is the leading farm and ranch insurer. They insure over half a million small businesses of all kinds, and have excellent financial strength.
3. Comprehensive coverage is best with Liberty Mutual
You may want to consider Liberty Mutual if your handyman business has evolved into a multi-million dollar contracting business.
The Liberty Mutual website is very lean on details regarding small business insurance, as they want you to direct your questions to an agent.
4. Next : What’s best for bundling discounts?
The online quote process is very quick and easy, and you can save up to 10% on several policies when you bundle them together at Next. You can purchase insurance online, or if you prefer, you can work with an agent. If you have unique needs or a specialized business, you may need to call. You can also make claims online.
Our handyperson business in Florida has three employees and generates $400,000 in revenue each year.
5. Cheapest coverage with Simply Business
With Simply Business, you can find low-cost insurance for your handyman business. They work with many carriers to find the right coverage for your business. To ensure that all carriers they work with have excellent financial ratings, they vet them all. They specialize in finding good low-cost carriers to partner with.
Thoughts for the day
As a handyman in Florida, you can choose what jobs you take, who you work for and how much work you do. Get handyman insurance to protect the business you’ve built.
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