Can a Handyman Get a Ghost Policy?

A Handyman Who Works Alone Can Get a Ghost Policy for Workers Comp

Yes, a handyman can get a ghost policy for workers comp. A ghost policy proves your business has coverage. It helps you give a certificate to someone who asks for it. It does not cover you, the owner, for injuries.

A ghost policy is for a business with no employees and no subcontractors. It shows your business has workers comp insurance. But it does not protect you if you get hurt on the job. If you want to be covered yourself, you need regular workers' comp.

Read on to learn how it works for a handyman and how to get started with your quote.

What Is a Ghost Policy?

A ghost policy is a workers comp policy. It is for a business with no employees. It proves that your business has coverage. You can give the certificate to someone who asks for proof. But it does not cover you, the owner, for injuries.

It is used when someone asks for a certificate. It does not protect you if you get hurt. You reject coverage for yourself when you buy it, so it pays no medical bills or lost wages to you.

Ghost policies are common for solo business owners. You need it if a client or a landlord asks for a certificate. It helps you show your business has coverage. A ghost policy is for the owner only. That means no employees and no subcontractors of any kind, even subs who carry their own insurance or hand you a certificate. If anyone else works for you — an employee, a subcontractor, a 1099 worker, day labor, or a family member who helps — you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy.

Why a Handyman Might Need One

Handymen often work alone. But sometimes a client or a property owner asks for proof of workers comp. They want to make sure the business has coverage. A ghost policy lets you show that you have a policy.

You might need a certificate for a contract, a job site, or a client. They might not let you work without it. A ghost policy helps you meet their request. But it does not cover you if you get hurt.

If you work alone, none of your work goes above 15 feet, and you only need to show proof of coverage, a ghost policy is a good choice. Your quote is fast and simple to get.

How to Get a Ghost Policy

To get a ghost policy, you start with a quote. You tell us what your business does. You say you have no employees and no subcontractors. Work above 15 feet can't be covered by this program, so if any of your handyman work goes that high, you need regular workers' comp instead. Then, we give you a price. If you agree, you pay by card, and Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of your payment and signed documents. The premium is fully earned, so once the policy is issued there is no refund.

The policy shows your business has workers comp. But it does not cover you, the owner. If you get hurt, you are not covered. You can still give the certificate to the person who asked for it.

You can get your quote in minutes. You just need to tell us about your business. You can start your quote on our site.

What You Need to Know Before Buying

A ghost policy does not cover you. It only proves that your business has coverage. If you get hurt on the job, you are not protected. If you want a policy that pays you when you get hurt, you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy.

Also, UNO sells ghost policies in 14 states, so it depends on where you live. You can find out by getting your quote. The quote will tell you if it is available in your state.

Finally, the price depends on your state and the kind of work you do. A handyman might have a different price than another trade. Your quote will give you the real price for your business.

What Happens If You Get Hurt

If you get hurt while working and you have a ghost policy, you are not covered. The policy only proves your business has coverage. It does not pay for your medical bills or time off.

You reject coverage for yourself when you buy a ghost policy. A 👻Ghost Policy never covers the owner; if you want coverage for yourself, you need regular workers' comp.

But if you only want to show that your business has coverage, a ghost policy is enough. Just know that you are not protected if you get hurt.

How to Use the Certificate

Once you have a ghost policy, you can get a certificate of insurance (COI). The COI shows that your business has coverage. You can give it to the person who asked for it.

The certificate has the policy number, dates, and coverage types. It shows your business has coverage. But it does not have all the policy details. It leaves out the full terms and conditions.

You can print the certificate or email it. It is a simple way to prove your business has workers comp. Just remember, it does not cover you, the owner.

Next Steps for You

If you are a handyman who works alone, none of your work goes above 15 feet, and you need to show proof of workers comp, a ghost policy can fit. It proves your business has coverage. But it does not cover you if you get hurt.

You can get started with a quote in minutes. You just need to tell us what your business does. You can start your quote now.

Remember, UNO sells it in 14 states. Your quote will tell you the price and the rules for your business. If you need more help, you can also check out how class codes work or learn more about certificates.