Running a handyman business in the UK often means focusing on getting jobs done rather than fine print. Yet without the right handyman insurance in place, small oversights could lead to big problems.

We help arrange cover that suits self-employed handymen, tradespeople, and small businesses. Below, we highlight three areas handymen often forget about when sorting their insurance, potentially leaving gaps that prove costly.

1. Believing Public Liability Covers Everything

Public liability insurance is often the first cover a handyman considers. It can help protect against claims from members of the public for accidental injury or property damage caused by work activities.

What handymen sometimes miss is that public liability does not usually cover:

• Personal injury to themselves

• Damage to their own tools or materials

• Incidents outside the scope of declared business activities

If a handyman accidentally injures themselves or damages their own tools, public liability cover would not typically provide support. Ensuring all activities and trades are declared when arranging cover is essential to avoid accidental exclusions.

2. Overlooking Tools Insurance for Items Kept in Vans

Many handymen rely on tools insurance to protect valuable equipment, but not all realise that cover may have limits if tools are kept in vans.

Policies often specify that tools left in unattended vehicles overnight are not automatically protected unless certain conditions apply, such as:

• The van is parked in a secure locked facility

• Tools are removed from the vehicle when not in use

• Additional overnight vehicle cover is purchased

Given how many handymen store tools in vans as part of day-to-day business, checking these terms carefully is advisable. We help arrange insurance that can include protection for tools stored in vehicles, subject to specific security requirements.

3. Forgetting About Employers’ Liability When Hiring Help

A handyman working solo may not need employers’ liability insurance. However, if anyone is brought in to help, even casually or temporarily, this could change the legal position.

Employers’ liability cover is usually required by law if a handyman employs:

• Temporary subcontractors

• Casual labourers

• Family members assisting with paid work

Failing to have this cover when legally required could result in penalties and leave a business exposed to costly claims if a worker suffers injury. We help clarify when this cover is necessary, offering tailored options to suit individual business needs.