Handyman insurance in Florida, for the jobs you do inside people’s homes.
Repairs, installs, assembly, drywall patches, fixtures and punch lists across Florida: we help one-person and small handyman businesses cover liability, tools and the work van, and answer the certificate requests that come with property-management work. In English, Spanish or Russian.
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Small jobs, real exposure
A handyman spends the day inside other people’s homes and rental units, which is exactly why a small mistake can turn into a large claim. The U.S. Census Bureau counts 10,287 residential remodeling establishments with paid employees in Florida (County Business Patterns, 2023), and many more handymen work on their own.
Typical problems we hear about:
- A supply line or toilet you installed leaks and damages floors and cabinets.
- A TV mount or shelf pulls out of the wall and injures someone or breaks what’s underneath.
- You scratch hardwood floors, crack countertops or damage furniture while working.
- A tenant or homeowner trips over your tools or drop cloth.
- You fall from a ladder, or cut or burn yourself on the job.
- Your tools are stolen from the van while you’re inside a customer’s home.
- A property manager won’t send more work until you provide a certificate of insurance.
Coverage that usually fits a handyman business
General liability
For claims that your work caused injury to someone or damage to their property, such as a leak from a fixture you installed, subject to the policy terms. Property managers usually ask for it on a certificate.
Tools & equipment
Inland marine coverage for your power tools, ladders and equipment, in the van, at the job or in storage.
Commercial auto
For the van or pickup you use for the business. A personal auto policy may not cover a vehicle used mainly for work, so tell us how you use it.
Workers’ compensation
Once you hire help, workers’ comp pays medical bills and lost wages if they’re hurt on the job. The threshold depends on the kind of work you do (see below).
Business owner’s policy
For eligible businesses, combines general liability with coverage for business property, such as a small shop or stored materials.
Florida points for handymen
The $2,500 minor-work exemption has limits
Florida’s contractor licensing law exempts work “of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature” when the total contract price for labor, materials and everything else is less than $2,500 (§ 489.103). The exemption does not apply if the job is part of a larger or major operation, if a job is split into smaller contracts to stay under the limit, or to a person who advertises as a contractor or otherwise says they are qualified to engage in contracting. Work outside that exemption may require a state contractor license; you can check licenses on the DBPR license search.
Why it matters for insurance: when we quote, we describe your operations as they actually are. If you take on work that needs a license, tell us, so the policy matches the work you do.
Workers’ comp when you hire help
Florida Statutes § 440.02 requires workers’ compensation for most private employers with four or more employees, and for construction-industry employers with one or more. The statute’s definition of construction includes substantial improvement in the size or use of any structure. If your jobs are mostly repairs and installs, ask us which threshold applies before you bring on a helper.
What to have ready for a quote
- The kinds of jobs you do, and any you don’t (roofing, electrical panels, gas lines, etc.)
- Whether you hold a contractor license, and which one
- Estimated revenue for the next 12 months and your largest typical job
- Helpers or employees, and any work you sub out
- Homeowners vs. landlords and property managers
- Your van or truck (year, make, model, VIN) and who drives it
- Tools and equipment you want covered, with approximate values
- Claims in the last three to five years
Working for a property manager?
Forward us their certificate request. Many ask to be listed as additional insured; we’ll confirm what your policy supports and get the certificate issued once the policy is in place.
Related: general liability, commercial auto and contractor insurance.
Talk to our team
M&K Agency is a family-owned agency in Florida City serving business owners across Florida by phone, text and email. When you call, you talk to one of us, in English, Spanish or Russian.
Mikhail Kozlov
Craig Fernandes
Carolina SilvaHandyman insurance: common questions
Do I need a license to work as a handyman in Florida?
State law exempts casual, minor or inconsequential work when the total contract price is under $2,500, but not if the job is part of a larger operation, is split up to stay under the limit, or if you advertise as a contractor. Work beyond that may require a state contractor license. When in doubt, check with the state licensing board before you take the job.
Does general liability pay if a fixture I installed leaks?
Water damage to the customer’s property caused by your work is the kind of claim general liability is meant to address, subject to the policy’s terms, limits and deductible. It usually won’t pay to redo your own work, so ask us to explain what your policy excludes.
Can I use my personal car insurance for my work van?
Not always. Personal auto policies may exclude or limit a vehicle used mainly for business. Tell us how the vehicle is used and titled, and we’ll tell you whether you need a commercial auto policy.
I work alone. What do I need first?
Most solo handymen start with general liability, because that’s what customers and property managers ask for, and add tools coverage and the right auto policy. Call us and we’ll go through your situation.
Do you only work with handymen near Florida City?
No. Our office is in Florida City, but we work with handyman businesses across Florida by phone, text and email, in English, Spanish and Russian.
This article is general information, not legal advice or policy language. Coverage depends on the terms, limits and exclusions of your policy, and eligibility rules can change. Talk with a licensed agent about your situation.
Sources
Legal facts on this page were checked against these official sources on September 26, 2026.
- Florida Statutes § 489.103: exemptions from contractor licensing (including minor work under $2,500 and owner-builders)
- Florida Statutes § 440.02: workers’ compensation definitions (employment, construction industry, employee)
- Florida DBPR: license search
- U.S. Census Bureau: County Business Patterns 2023 (Florida establishments by industry)