When running a handyman business in the UK, it can be easy to focus solely on the next job. Yet overlooking the importance of handyman insurance could leave self-employed tradespeople exposed to financial risks that are difficult to recover from.

We help arrange policies suited to the real-world needs of handymen, whether working solo or with a small team. Below is a clear guide to the key types of cover many professionals consider essential.

Public Liability Insurance: Essential for Most Handymen

For any business interacting with clients or the public, public liability insurance for handymen is often considered non-negotiable.

It can help cover costs related to:

• Accidental damage to a client’s property

• Injury to a third party due to your work

Many domestic customers, letting agents and commercial sites may ask for proof of public liability cover before allowing work to begin. Having this in place could offer reassurance not just for clients, but for your own business too.

Tools Insurance: Protecting Your Essential Equipment

Without tools, most handymen would struggle to complete a job. Tools cover is specifically designed to help protect against theft, loss or accidental damage to your equipment.

This could apply whether tools are kept:

• On-site

• In a van

• Stored at home

When arranging cover, it is worth checking:

• Are tools left in vehicles overnight included?

• Is there a single-item limit or overall sum insured?

We help arrange options tailored to these practical considerations, recognising how often tools are targeted by thieves.

Employers’ Liability Insurance: Required if You Have Staff

If you hire anyone to work for you, even on a casual or part-time basis, employers’ liability insurance could be legally required under UK law.

This cover helps protect against claims from employees who suffer illness or injury due to work undertaken for your business. Even if your team consists of friends or family helping out occasionally, it is important to check whether they count as employees under the law.

Personal Accident Insurance: Looking After Yourself

Many handymen are self-employed, which means if injury prevents them from working, there could be no income coming in. Personal accident cover can help provide financial support if you suffer an injury that stops you working temporarily or permanently.

This type of insurance could cover:

• Lost income during recovery

• Lump sum payments for serious injury

It is an important consideration for sole traders and small businesses alike, as Statutory Sick Pay does not apply to the self-employed.

Cover for Specialist Services: Check What Is Included

Handymen often take on a wide variety of jobs, from light plumbing to basic electrical tasks. However, not all handyman insurance policies automatically cover every type of service.

Before accepting a job, ask:

• Is the work type listed in your policy?

• Are there exclusions or conditions applied to certain tasks?

Overlooking this detail could mean a claim is not covered if it arises from an activity outside your declared business description.