There are a lot of things that come with being a homeowner, from regular upkeep to fixes that come out of the blue. A lot of people hire handymen to help them with jobs they can’t do themselves or don’t have time to do. A usual question, though, is whether or not homeowners insurance covers handyman work.
It’s not as simple as you might think to find the answer. Some types of damage or loss are covered by homeowners insurance, but not always. The work done by a handyman may or may not be covered, based on several factors. We will talk about how homeowner’s insurance works with handyman services and what you should know before you hire one in this post.
Figuring out what your home insurance covers
Most of the time, homeowners insurance protects your house and belongings from unplanned events like fires, theft, and bad weather. The most important parts of most laws are:
- Dwelling coverage: This protects the building of your home.
- Coverage for Personal Property: This covers your items inside the home.
- Liability coverage: It keeps you safe if someone gets hurt on your property.
- Additional Living Expenses (ALE): This covers your living costs if you have to leave your home because of damage that is covered by your insurance.
Most of the time, these protections don’t cover regular upkeep, home improvements, or repairs, but they are very important for big, sudden disasters. When it comes to repair services, this is where things get confusing.
Repairing damage vs. routine upkeep
There is a clear line between damage caused by accidents and normal wear and tear that insurance companies follow. For instance, if a storm damages your roof and makes it leak your homeowner’s insurance may pay to fix it. But if your roof leaks because it’s old or wasn’t taken care of properly, you’ll have to pay for it yourself.
Most of the time, handyman services are used for small repairs or routine upkeep. In order for renters insurance to pay for things like fixing a broken cabinet, patching drywall, or unclogging a drain, you have to do them yourself.
When your insurance might pay for handyman services
In general, homeowners insurance doesn’t cover handyman services. However, here are some scenarios where it might be:
- Damage Caused by a Covered Peril: If you hire a worker to fix damage caused by a covered event, like a broken window after a storm, your insurance company may pay for the repairs, as long as the damage was part of a claim.
- Liability for Handyman Injury: If a handyman gets hurt on your property, the liability coverage in your contract could help pay for their medical bills. This is true if you are found to be responsible for the damage because of unsafe conditions, but it is very important to make sure that your handyman has the right homeowners insurance to avoid problems.
- Accidentally Damage by a Handyman: If the handyman damages your property by accident, some homeowners insurance may pay for the repairs. Most of the time, though, you would get paid back through the handyman’s insurance.
Things that homeowners should think about
Make sure you remember these things before you hire a handyman:
- Check Handyman Insurance: Before you hire a handyman, make sure that he or she has liability insurance and, if necessary, workers’ compensation insurance. This keeps you from having to pay for their medical bills or property damage if they get hurt.
- Know Your Homeowners Policy: Read over the terms and conditions of your policy to see how it handles responsibility and damage claims. You can avoid unpleasant surprises by knowing what is and isn’t protected.
- Think about getting a home warranty: This might be a better choice if you want to be covered for regular repairs and upkeep. When home systems and tools break down because of normal wear and tear, home warranties will fix or replace them. This is something that homeowners insurance does not cover.
Conclusion
Handyman services are usually not covered by homeowners insurance because they are considered normal maintenance. However, your insurance policy and the help you need from a handyman may combine in some way, such as when there is damage from a covered peril or when someone gets hurt. Talk to both your insurance company and the handyman to make sure you understand what is expected of them and that you are covered from risks.
Being proactive, checking your homeowners insurance, and keeping up to date on your coverage will help you get through the sometimes complicated world of homeowner’s insurance and handyman services.
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