Handyman insurance built around the jobs you actually take.

In our 2026 Georgia files, a solo handyman's general liability with an A++ rated carrier came in at the carrier's $500 minimum premium for the year ($1M/$2M limits). That was lower than the online estimate we ran for a solo handyman: $77.83 a month, about $934 a year, at higher $2M/$4M limits, before fees.

The $500 policy was written by Houston Casualty Company, a Tokio Marine HCC company rated A++ (Superior) by AM Best, at $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. It was placed by a licensed agent, and the A++ carrier's premium was lower than four online quotes for the same business at the same limits. With $10,000 of tools coverage ($305), a $125 policy fee and $37.20 of surplus lines tax, the full bill was $967.20 for the year, or $252.70 down and 10 monthly payments of $82.45 on the installment plan. The online estimate came from Coterie at its default limits of $2 million per occurrence and $4 million aggregate. A 3-person handyman crew was estimated at $306.67 a month. Pricing, fees and taxes vary by carrier and by business. These are past quotes and estimates for other businesses, not a quote for yours.

Mostly size. For a one-person handyman business, the price often lands on the carrier's minimum premium.

In our files, the solo handyman's rated premium came out below the carrier's $500 minimum, so the minimum applied. Coterie showed the same $77.83 monthly estimate for a solo handyman at two different sales levels, which points to a minimum as well. Once you add people, payroll and sales, the price climbs: the 3-person estimate was about four times the solo one. Other factors that move the number: the type of work and how much of it is higher-risk, the limits you choose, subcontracting, claims history, years in business, and what your customers' contracts require.

Most Georgia handyman businesses start with general liability, because homeowners, property managers and general contractors usually ask for a certificate before you start.

From there it depends on how you work: tools and equipment coverage (inland marine) for gear you carry from job to job, commercial auto if a vehicle is titled to the business or used regularly for work, since a personal auto policy may not fully cover business use, and workers' compensation once you regularly have three or more employees, as Georgia law generally requires (O.C.G.A. 34-9-2).

Many handyman policies list the work they cover and exclude jobs outside that list, and the common exclusions are the higher-risk ones.

Depending on the carrier, that can include roofing, work above a set height, electrical, plumbing or HVAC work beyond minor repairs, structural work, new construction, mold or water remediation, tree work, and work you sub out to someone else. Read the description of your work on the quote and on the policy. If you do any framing, siding, gutter or roofing work, a licensed agent quotes it instead of an online program, so the policy is built around that work.

Georgia requires a residential contractor license when the total value of a residential job, or what you're paid for it, whichever is higher, exceeds $2,500 (O.C.G.A. 43-41-2).

State law also has a limited exemption for repair work that doesn't affect the structural integrity of the property, as long as you tell the owner you don't hold a license under that chapter (O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(g)). Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work generally require their own state license. Confirm your specific work with the state licensing board and your local building department. This is general information, not legal advice. Carriers often ask about licensing on the application, so answer accurately.

Often, yes. A handyman with no employees may be able to buy owner-excluded workers' comp, often called a ghost policy, to give a general contractor the certificate it asks for.

General contractors ask because under O.C.G.A. 34-9-8 a contractor can be responsible for a sub's uninsured workers. The owner is usually excluded, so it provides no workers' comp coverage for your own injuries. If you want workers' comp that covers you or a helper, we can quote a standard policy, including options to cover you as the owner where the carrier allows it. If you add a helper or pay subs who don't carry their own workers' comp, the carrier can charge for that pay at the audit. If you work alone with no employees and no subs, you can apply online. If you sub out work, a licensed agent places it. See workers' comp with no employees and who to call for a Georgia ghost policy.

General liability can cover property damage and injuries you cause to others, but it has limits worth knowing before a job goes wrong.

Policies generally don't pay to redo your own faulty work, and the standard general liability form excludes certain damage to the particular part of the property you're working on. A claim that shows up after the job is finished, like a leak from a fixture you installed, is usually handled under products-completed operations coverage, if your policy includes it, so confirm that it does. Your own injuries as the owner generally aren't covered by general liability either. Coverage is always subject to policy terms, conditions and exclusions.

If you buy online through Coterie, your certificate of insurance (COI) and policy are emailed to you when you bind.

For policies a licensed agent places, we send your certificate and policy documents once the carrier issues the policy. After that, Quinn Alliance clients can request certificates in our client portal. If a homeowner, property manager or general contractor needs to be added as a certificate holder or additional insured, send us their exact name and address and the contract requirements. New certificate holders are added quickly, and some requests need an endorsement from the carrier. We'll tell you if one does.