Handyman Insurance

Quick, easy, and affordable insurance for handymen

Suitable insurance types for handymen include: 

  • Public Liability Insurance
  • General Property Insurance 
  • Personal Accident Insurance 
  • Professional Indemnity Insurance
  • Tax Audit Insurance
  • Workers Compensation Insurance (if employing staff)
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Instant, Affordable Cover

20+ Years of Experience

270k+ Businesses Covered

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What Insurance Does a Handyman Need?

Public Liability Insurance is the most important cover for handymen. It is often required before you can start work. It protects you if your work causes injury to someone else or damages their property.

Why Handymen Need It

Handyman work covers a wide range of jobs, often on occupied homes and busy sites. Small mistakes can lead to big claims. For example, a ladder could damage a wall, a tool could fall and crack tiles, or a client could trip over your equipment. Even minor jobs can turn into costly claims. Public Liability Insurance protects you when accidents happen on the job.

What It Covers

  • Accidental injury to clients, visitors, or members of the public
  • Accidental damage to homes, units, or commercial property
  • Legal fees and claim costs if a claim is made against you
  • Cover commonly required by real estate agents, builders, and commercial clients

Who It Suits

  • Sole trader handymen
  • Subcontractors working under builders or property managers
  • Small handyman businesses
  • Handymen working on residential, strata, or commercial jobs

This cover helps you meet site requirements and protects your income if something goes wrong.

Also known as “Tools and Equipment Cover.”

Your tools and equipment are critical to getting the job done. General Property Insurance protects them if they are stolen, lost, or accidentally damaged. Cover applies whether your tools are on site, in transit, or stored in your vehicle.

Common Items Covered

  • Hand tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, levels, and measuring gear
  • Power tools including drills, grinders, sanders, and saws
  • Toolboxes and mobile storage systems
  • Equipment stored in vans, utes, or trailers
  • Job-specific tools used for repairs, maintenance, and installations

Why Handymen Rely On It

Handyman tools are a common target for theft, especially when left in vehicles or on job sites overnight. Accidental damage can also happen during transport or while working in tight spaces. Replacing tools out of your own pocket can be costly and stop you from working. Tools cover helps you replace essential equipment quickly so you can get back on the job with minimal downtime.

If an injury or illness stops you from working, Personal Accident Insurance provides weekly income replacement. This is important for handymen, as physical work, lifting, working at height, and using tools increases the risk of strains, falls, and on-site injuries.

What It Covers

  • Weekly income replacement if you cannot work
  • Cover for work-related and non-work injuries
  • Optional cover for illness
  • Lump sum benefits, depending on the level of cover selected

Why Handymen Need It

If you cannot lift, climb, drive, or use your tools, you cannot earn an income. There is no sick leave for most handymen. This cover helps keep money coming in so you can pay bills, cover living costs, and focus on recovery without added financial pressure.

Many handymen provide advice as part of their work, even if the job is mainly hands on. If a client claims your advice caused them financial loss, Professional Indemnity Insurance can protect you.

Common Examples

  • Advising clients on repair options or maintenance solutions
  • Recommending materials, products, or installation methods
  • Providing advice on property improvements or minor renovations
  • Preparing quotes, scope notes, or reports for real estate agents, strata, or property managers

Why Handymen May Need It

If a client relies on your advice and later claims it was wrong or incomplete, they may seek compensation. Professional Indemnity Insurance helps cover legal costs and claims, adding an extra layer of protection if your work includes advice, recommendations, or written documentation.

If you employ staff, Workers Compensation Insurance is required by law. It covers wages, medical expenses, and rehabilitation costs if an employee is injured or becomes ill because of their work.

Who Needs It

  • Handymen who employ full-time or part-time workers
  • Businesses that hire apprentices or labourers
  • Handyman businesses that pay wages or salaries

When It Is Not Required

For sole trader handymen, subcontractors, and owner operators with no employees, Workers Compensation Insurance is usually not required unless you start hiring staff.

The Australian Tax Office can audit any handyman, regardless of business size. Tax Audit Insurance covers the cost of your accountant’s or bookkeeper’s fees if you are audited by the ATO.

What It Includes

  • Accountant and tax agent fees
  • Bookkeeping review and reconciliation costs
  • Professional help responding to ATO questions and requests

Why It Is Worth Having

An ATO audit can take time and cost thousands in professional fees. This cover is a low-cost way to protect yourself from unexpected expenses and reduce stress if your tax affairs are reviewed.

How Much Does Handyman Insurance Cost?

Total Premium = Policy Type + Turnover + Risk Level + Claims History

Your final price depends on the type of handyman work you do, where you work, the value of your tools and equipment, your chosen liability limit, and whether you add covers such as personal accident or workers compensation. Cover can be arranged Australia wide.

Lower Risk Handyman Work

(for example basic repairs, flat pack assembly, painting touch ups, minor maintenance, small residential jobs)

Typical public liability from $400–$900 per year

Higher Risk Handyman Work

(for example work at height, ladder work, decking repairs, bathroom repairs, commercial jobs, frequent use of power tools)

Typical public liability from $900–$2,500+ per year

These figures are a general guide only. Your premium is tailored to the exact work you do, your turnover, equipment value, and the level of cover you choose. A quick quote will give you an accurate price based on your handyman business.

Why Choose Our Contractor Insurance Experts?

We know contractors need reliable cover without the hassle. That is why over 270,000 Aussie small businesses trust us.

  • Contractor-Specific Knowledge: Our brokers understand tradie risks and jobs. Get faster service, practical advice, and cover that suits your work. Check plumbers insurance or electrician insurance.
  • Simple and Fast: Grab a quote online, set up cover, and get documents in minutes. Want to chat? Our team picks up the phone.
  • Backed by Experience: We are part of Elliott Insurance Brokers with over 20 years helping contractors. Enjoy personal service with solid support.
  • Sustainable and Ethical: As a carbon-neutral business, we look after the planet while protecting your crew.
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Our Quick & Easy Quoting Process

Arranging handyman insurance is fast and straightforward with Contractor Cover. Follow these steps to protect your income in minutes.

1

Tell Us About Your Work

Complete our short online form with details about your occupation, income, and the level of cover you want to arrange.

2

Compare Quotes or Speak With a Broker

Review available cover options online or speak with one of our Australian-based brokers to compare quotes, benefit periods, and policy features in plain language.

3

Arrange Your Cover

Once approved, your policy can be put in place quickly, with documents issued so you can get back to work knowing your income is protected.

Note: Cover is subject to policy terms, conditions, exclusions, and insurer acceptance.
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About Us

Contractor Cover broker shaking a contractor's hand

Contractor Cover is the one-stop insurance shop for contractors across Australia.

We understand that contractors require targeted business insurance which offers both value for money and optimal cover. With that in mind, we’ve packaged the most common insurances the average contractor needs into a single policy. This means that you don’t need to waste your time contending with multiple policies – everything you need is included in one convenient package.

Speak with our team today for more information or fill in our easy online quote form.

270k+ businesses covered

20+ years of experience

Instant, affordable cover

FAQs

Public liability insurance helps protect you if your work accidentally injures someone or damages property. This is the most commonly requested insurance for glaziers, contractors, and subcontractors working on residential or commercial sites.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Accidental damage to client property during installation or removal
  • Injury to customers, tenants, or members of the public
  • Legal, defence, and investigation expenses
  • Claims that arise from on-site activities

General property insurance helps protect your tools and equipment if they are lost, stolen, or damaged. This is especially important for contractors who store tools in vehicles or move between multiple job sites.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Theft from locked vehicles or secure sites
  • Accidental damage to tools and equipment
  • Repair or replacement of essential items
  • Portable equipment protection across Australia

Professional indemnity insurance helps protect you if a client claims your advice, design input, or professional service caused them a financial loss.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Allegations of incorrect advice or measurements
  • Claims related to specifications or design recommendations
  • Legal and defence costs
  • Compensation resulting from professional errors

Personal accident insurance provides income support if you cannot work due to injury or illness. This is especially valuable for sole traders who rely on continuous work to maintain their income.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Weekly income payments during recovery
  • Specified injury lump-sum benefits
  • Optional illness protection
  • Support after workplace or non-workplace incidents

Tax audit insurance helps protect you from the professional fees incurred when responding to an ATO audit. Even compliant businesses can be selected at random.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Accountant and bookkeeper costs
  • Audit preparation and lodgement support
  • Assistance responding to ATO information requests
  • Ongoing guidance throughout the audit

Workers compensation insurance helps protect employees who suffer a work-related injury or illness. This insurance is mandatory for employers in most states and territories.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Medical treatment and hospital expenses
  • Rehabilitation and recovery support
  • Partial wage replacement while the worker is off the job
  • Return-to-work planning and assistance

Several factors impact how much contractors pay for insurance. Insurers assess your risk level and the nature of your work to determine your premium.

Key influences include:

  • Trade type and the risk involved
  • Turnover and business size
  • Number of subcontractors or employees
  • Value of tools and equipment
  • Claims history
  • Chosen liability limit and policy options

You should review your insurance at least once a year, or any time your business changes. A quick review helps ensure you remain properly protected.

Common triggers include:

  • Taking on larger or more complex jobs
  • Hiring or removing workers
  • Increasing your turnover
  • Buying new tools or equipment
  • Expanding into commercial work

We take your privacy seriously. Your information is stored securely and used only to provide insurance services, issue documents, manage claims, or support your policy. You may view a copy of our full privacy policy at any time, and we are happy to explain how your information is handled.

Meet Your Insurance Team

At Contractor Cover, we’re proud to have a dedicated executive team that brings decades of experience, strategic insight, and an unwavering commitment to supporting Australian contractors. 

John Elliott

CEO

Rachael Milne

Chief Financial Officer

Kristofer Wright

Head of Technology

Tim Stingers

Insurance Broking Team Leader