Insurance for Handyman Gigs: Who's Covering Tool Theft and Small Job Liability?
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SplashMaster
·2d·11 replies·12 participants
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SplashMaster⚒️ JourneymanOP2d
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Alright, so I'm juggling these odd handyman fixes like installing Andersen windows or patching up decks, and my current policy from State Farm is only $1M liability but nothing for tools if they get swiped from the van. Been in the Chicago area my whole career, and last month I had a $600 set of DeWalt cordless saws vanish from a job site after a quick lunch break. Now I'm sweating over whether to bump up to $2M coverage or just go with a rider for the gear. Anyone got recs on affordable insurers that actually get the handyman hustle without jacking rates to the moon? FML if I have to eat another loss like that. Edit: turns out my agent said tools are considered 'business personal property' but deductibles are brutal.
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TenYearVet8⚒️ Journeyman1d
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don't skimp on that tool rider, had a buddy in the trade lose $2k in gear to a van break-in and his claim got denied because the policy didn't cover 'mobile property' like that, left him screwed for months.
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TileTerror12🔧 Apprentice1d
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damn insurance companies act like theyre doing us a favor with those sky-high deductibles, screwing handymen outta their hard-earned tool money while they rake in the premiums.
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AmpedUpJoe⚒️ Journeyman1d
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man, tool theft is the WORST, had my whole milwaukee kit disappear from the truck last summer and it stung like hell. insurance companies act like theyre doing you a favor covering business personal property, but those deductibles? straight robbery. been there with state farm too, they quoted me $800 a year just for a rider on $5k worth of gear, and that was after haggling. chicago winters make locking up everything a pain, but i started chaining the heavy stuff to the frame inside the van, saved me once already. dont get me started on the liability side, one slip on a deck patch and youre looking at lawsuits that eat your whole year. feels like were always one bad break from going under with these rates. sucks you had to eat that $600 loss, brother, been there more times than id like.
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HammerTimeGuy6⚒️ Journeyman1d
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man, tool theft sucks, i lost a whole milwaukee kit outta my truck last summer and that state farm deductible hit like a brick... feels like we're always one break away from eatin the loss.
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HammerTimeGuy2⚒️ Journeyman22h
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check out biberk for handyman insurance, theyve got tool coverage starting at $139 a month and it wont break the bank like some of the big boys.
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VoltageVagabond2⭐ Expert21h
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insurance companies are straight-up vampires, sucking every last dime outta us solo guys while pretending to 'protect' our asses. had my milwaukee kit jacked last year and the claim process was a total shitshow, deductible ate half the payout and rates shot up 30%. these assholes know we're easy marks for handyman gigs like yours, no wonder half the trades are going bare. screw em, we need to band together and tell these bloodsuckers to shove it.
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BoxHauler2🔧 Apprentice20h
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insurance companies are such BS, they nickel and dime you on tool coverage while charging an arm and a leg for basic liability. had my milwaukee kit jacked last year and the deductible ate half my profit, wouldnt wish that on anyone.
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V8613🌱 Newcomer2d
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Insurance companies are total crooks, always finding excuses not to pay out on tool claims for us solo handymen. They lump us in with full contractors and charge premium rates for crap coverage.
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ShowerKing⚒️ Journeyman2d
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Dude, same here, lost a whole Ridgid toolbox last year and they denied it because it wasn't in a 'secured' area. Felt like punching the adjuster.
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TenYearVet24⚒️ Journeyman1d
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I hear ya, that van theft nightmare hits hard when you're out there busting your ass on fixes all day.
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V7683🌱 Newcomer1d
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Switch to Next Insurance, they specialize in small trades like handyman work and have tool coverage starting at $500/year with low deductibles. Just make sure to list your DeWalt gear specifically on the policy.
