A bit of everything
A handyman might hang a door in the morning, fix a gutter after lunch and assemble flat-pack furniture before tea. The variety means exposure to lots of small risks: ladders, power tools, lifting and awkward positions. Falls from ladders and hand injuries are the most common reasons for time off.
Many handymen are former tradespeople or people who moved into the work later in life. That brings experience, but also older joints and sometimes existing back or knee problems.
Small jobs, steady customers
Most handymen are sole traders with a loyal list of local customers, landlords and letting agents. Some work part time alongside another job or a pension. Earnings come from lots of small invoices, and nothing comes in when you are laid up.
Insurers base income protection on the profits shown in your tax returns. If you work part time, the cover reflects that, and some insurers have a minimum number of working hours.
Letting agents and landlords can be a good source of regular work, but they may stop calling if you are unavailable for weeks. An income while you recover means you can come back properly fit instead of rushing.
- List the tasks you do every week, not just occasionally
- Mention if you avoid roofs, gas or electrical work
- Part-time workers can still get cover from many insurers
- Older applicants should check the policy end age
Rated on your riskiest regular task
Insurers place occupations into risk classes. For a job with many tasks, they usually look at the riskiest work you do regularly. A handyman who does gutters and roof repairs may be rated like a roofer. One who sticks to indoor jobs may be rated more lightly.
The class affects the price and the definition of incapacity. Being precise about what you do, and what you do not do, helps the insurer rate you fairly.
Life cover and later years
A life policy pays a lump sum if you die before it ends. Many handymen use it to protect a mortgage or family. If you are older, over 50s plans and whole of life cover are options to leave something behind or help with funeral costs.
The handyman trade has little effect on life cover terms.
How Hi Tomorrow helps handymen
We ask about the jobs you take on and turn down, how many hours you work and what you earn, then compare insurers on our panel. We explain how each insurer rates varied work, so you can see where you stand.
Some handymen tell us they gave up their old trade because of a bad back or knees. If that applies to you, we can look for the insurers whose view of that history is fairest, instead of taking the first offer. We fill in the forms with you and stay on hand if a claim is ever made.