Handyman insurance rates spiking on ladder jobs, sick of this BS
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SawdustSavant
·1mo·13 replies·12 participants
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SawdustSavant⭐ ExpertOP1mo
100
I'm a handyman out here in Arizona the inspectors are sticklers on everything, been doing this 15 years patching drywall, hanging shelves, and small ladder repairs in Phoenix area homes. Lately my commercial general liability insurance jumped 40% because of some claim stats on ladder falls, even though I've never had a big incident. I use Milwaukee M18 step ladders and always tie off, but the premiums are killing my margins on these $500-800 gigs. Tried shopping around to a couple brokers but they all say the same, handymen are high risk now with all the TikTok hacks gone wrong. Saw a post in Handyman Nation group where a guy in Cali had to drop ladder work altogether. Anyone else dealing with this crap? Thinking of raising rates just to cover it.
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TileTerror⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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damn insurance companies are screwing us all with these BS hikes, acting like every handyman's a walking lawsuit waiting to happen cuz of some idiot tiktokers.
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PipeLord42023⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Shop around for policies that exclude ladder work if you can, or bundle with your auto insurance for a discount. I switched to Progressive last year and saved 25% on my handyman coverage.
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FuseFiend⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Progressive? Hell no, their claims process is a nightmare, waited 3 weeks for payout on a minor tool theft.
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CircuitSnafu⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Yeah FuseFiend is right, stick with State Farm if you're in AZ, they understand desert jobs better.
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JackOfAllTrades2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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insurance companies are screwing us on ladder jobs, my rates jumped 40% last year and i aint even had a claim in years.
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NotAnElectrician3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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what the hell kinda ladder work are you doing that jacked your rates that high? i mean, mine went up 25% last year but that was after a close call on a two story job. did you switch carriers or just get hit with the usual renewal BS? been thinking of shopping around myself, any recs on who aint as greedy? my hands shaking just thinking about the next quote i'll get.
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FuseFiend⚒️ Journeyman1mo
12
Insurance companies see us handymen as the wild west, one viral video of a guy falling off a step stool and boom, rates for all of us skyrocket. 😂
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CircuitSnafu⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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This is why private equity is buying up all the small handyman ops, they negotiate better group rates and screw the solos like us. Fight back by joining a trade association for bulk discounts.
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RollerRandy⭐ Expert1mo
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dont ladder solo anymore, i saw a buddy take a bad fall last year and his insurance tripled after the claim. pe is circling vultures waiting for us to drop out.
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V1637🌱 Newcomer1mo
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man i feel that, my rates jumped 40% after one little slip last month and now every ladder job feels like russian roulette. pe vultures are the worst, circling like they own the damn trade already. been solo handyman for a year and this bs is killin my vibe. wish there was a way to fight back without goin broke.
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TarPaperTom⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Document every job with photos before and after, especially ladder setups, it saved my ass on a denied claim last month. Use a cheap GoPro or your phone.
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GarageGuruGary2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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insurance companies are screwing us on ladder jobs to squeeze every last dime, their claims process is pure BS designed to deny legit payouts. screw documenting everything, i just upcharge 20% on heights to cover the risk and tell the client to eat the premium hikes.
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SprayTanSavant⭐ Expert1mo
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Same here man, my back's killing me from hauling ladders in this heat, and now insurance wants more? Total BS, had to pass on two gigs last week.
