Insurance for Handyman in Ohio
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General Liability insurance for a Handyman in Ohio
Sometimes sold as Commercial General Liability (CGL), General Liability insurance protects handymen and other contractors against third-party claims and lawsuits that result from bodily injury or property damage. Your policy will cover your legal costs and compensation to the wronged party. General Liability coverage typically applies whether the claim made against you has merit or not.
Why is handymen liability insurance important in Ohio?
As a handyman, you have to be ready for anything. Your clients come to you for home improvement projects big and small, from installing a new faucet or weatherproofing windows to replacing roof shingles or doing paint touch ups. But are you ready for everyday accidents that could cost your business?
Consider this: You’re working in a client’s home and accidentally knock a stack of fine china plates off the kitchen counter. The client insists that you pay to replace the broken plates, since you were the one who broke them.*
Accidents happen, but you may still be responsible for fixing the situation. Property damage and bodily injury claims made by your clients or other outside parties can ruin your business’ finances, and sometimes your personal ones as well. General Liability handyman insurance in Ohio helps protect businesses against these types of incidents, by taking care of your legal costs and compensation to third-parties.
Did you Know?
Handymen who apply for state or local general contractor licenses in Ohio typically need General Liability insurance to receive a license.
Why become a Handyman in Ohio?
Homeowners reportedly spent $600 billion in 2021 on home improvements, maintenance, and emergency repairs. DIY projects were popular with some, but many people do not have the skill or desire to take on home renovations themselves. Ohio handymen could find themselves in even higher demand if these trends continue.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) counted 56,880 general maintenance and repair workers in Ohio in 2020. This includes contractors providing general handyman services. National job growth projections from the BLS forecast growth of 8% for these positions between 2020 and 2030. This is on par with average growth projections for all jobs in the country.
The employment rate for general maintenance and repair workers in Ohio is strong. Interestingly, this extends beyond the state’s largest cities. Steubenville metro area has one of the highest concentrations of these jobs in the country, and non-metro areas in North Northeastern Ohio has one of the highest rates of employment.
Ohio’s general maintenance and repair workers have an average yearly salary of $43,350. This beats the national yearly average of $40,850. However, your annual wage may vary depending on where your work in the state.
Annual average salaries for some Ohio cities:
- Akron – $43,240
- Cincinnati – $44,340
- Cleveland – $43,790
- Columbus – $44,750
- Dayton – $43,170
Handyman license requirements in Ohio
The state of Ohio does not require a license for minor repair work that costs less than $1,000. Your handyman services may fall under this category. However, larger projects may require you to have a state or local license. You might consider getting a general contractor license to cover your bases or to expand the services offered by your handyman business.
Though there are different requirements for state and local general contractor licenses, most require you to show proof of your General Liability insurance when you apply. You may also need to maintain a minimum level of coverage to keep and renew your license.
For example, to get a general contractor license in the city of Columbus, you will need to show proof of General Liability insurance with at least $300,000 for damages to a single person and $500,000 for one occurrence.**
What does General Liability insurance for a handyman cover?
General Liability insurance provides important protections for handymen. These policies typically cover third-party claims of:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
Your policy will likely cover your legal expenses that are incurred while defending yourself against a liability claim or lawsuit. It will also help cover costs associated with fixing the situation or compensating the party who brought the claim.
Handymen liability insurance coverage applies whether a claim has merit or not. A false or baseless claim can be expensive to resolve. The financial fallout could drain your bank accounts and potentially cause you to close your business. General Liability insurance can help shield your business and personal finances, regardless of whether you are found liable or not.
What is not covered?
General Liability insurance does not cover many events, including:
- Workplace injuries suffered by you or your employees
- Damage to your equipment, tools, or personal property
- Intentional third-party property damage
Please refer to your policy documents for complete details on what your General Liability insurance does and does not cover. You might also consider a risk management plan to help you avoid unnecessary claims and other forms of insurance to further protect your handyman business.
How much does handyman insurance in Ohio cost?
Each handyman is unique, and so is your business. Insurance companies take many factors into consideration when they calculate your General Liability policy premium. Your handyman business will likely differ in some ways from others in your area, meaning you might pay a different amount for your handyman contractor insurance in Ohio.
General Liability premiums are based in part on factors such as:
- Your experience in the field – How long you’ve worked as a handyman, plus any relevant training or licenses you hold, can impact your premium.
- Where you work – The geographic area where your business is based can affect your insurance costs. For example, a handyman in Columbus may pay more than a handyman business in a small town.
- Past claims history – You may be considered more of a risk to insure if you have previous handyman liability claims and may pay more for your policy.
- Your coverage needs – The more coverage you need or want, the more you can expect to pay for a policy. You may need to have a minimum amount of coverage to hold some contractor licenses.
Since the cost of General Liability insurance depends on your business’ make up and circumstances, getting quotes from more than one insurer can help you understand how much you can expect to pay for coverage.
BizInsure makes it easy to fine handyman insurance in Ohio. In just 10 minutes, you can compare General Liability insurance and buy a policy that fits you needs. Start comparing online quotes now.
Other common trades we cover
More than just handymen in Ohio may benefit from the protection provided by General Liability insurance. We also help cover other types of contractors, including:
- Carpenters
- Construction
- Electricians
- Heating & Air
- Floorers
- Janitorial
- Landscapers
- Masons
- Painters
- Plasterers
- Plumbers
- And many more
Why choose BizInsure for handyman insurance in Ohio?
Handymen around the state, from Columbus to Cleveland, come to BizInsure for their handyman liability insurance needs. Here’s why:
Easy to apply
Answer just 10 questions or less (for most business owners) to get your quotes, and no complicated paperwork to buy.
Top-rated partners
We only partner with A-rated or better insurers with competitively priced policies for Ohio contractors
Get covered quickly
It takes just 5 minutes to quote and 10 minutes to buy, and your proof of insurance will be sent instantly by email.
Quality customer support
Licensed agents are available to help you at every step of the way, online and over the phone.
Why wait? Find handyman contractor insurance in Ohio to meet your small business’ needs. compare quotes online now.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is handyman insurance in Ohio mandatory?
Handymen in Ohio may be required by law to carry General Liability insurance in some circumstances. These insurance mandates typically apply when you hold a specialty or general contractor license.
Ohio handymen must apply for a general contractor if they are performing work that totals $1,000 or more. You may also need other specialty licenses, such as those for electricians or HVAC contactors, if your business offers these specialty or other services. In most cases, you will need to show proof of your General Liability insurance to get general and specialty contactor licenses. You may also need to maintain minimum levels of coverage to keep and renew these licenses.
Please contact the Ohio Construction Licensing Board and your local licensing authority to ensure you are meeting the licensing and insurance commitments in your area.
Even if you are not required by law to have handyman liability insurance, you may need a General Liability policy to rent a commercial office or workshop. If you work as a subcontractor for another company, they may require you to have your own General Liability insurance while you work for them.
Does handyman liability insurance cover my equipment and tools? Does it cover commercial auto?
No, General Liability handyman insurance in Ohio does not cover your equipment, tools, or commercial vehicles. You may seek other forms of insurance to help protect these areas of your small business.
Your General Liability insurance will cover damage to a third-party’s tools, equipment, or vehicles. This can include many members of the public, including your clients, vendors, and delivery people.
What risks does a handyman face on the job?
There are several general liability risks that you may face as a handyman. Following safe work practices can help you avoid unnecessary claims and lawsuits, and General Liability insurance can protect your business if an accident does happen.
Handymen often work in client’s homes and yards. This creates an opportunity for a client to injure themselves due to your negligence or for you to accidentally damage their belongings. These events can lead to a general liability claim or lawsuit where you might need to compensate your client for financial losses they’ve experienced.
You may also face these same risks in your offices or workshop. Other members of the public, such as delivery people and vendors, can also make general liability claims against you.
