The policies an appliance repair business carries
Appliance techs work with gas, water and electricity in kitchens and laundry rooms. A leak after a washer repair or a gas line that was not tightened are the claims to plan for.
| Policy | Average a month |
|---|---|
| General liability | $83 |
| Tools and equipment | $42 |
| Commercial auto | $270 |
| Workers' compensation | $160 |
| Surety or license bond | $9 |
Averages are what Insureon's customers among contractors as a group (it publishes no separate figures for appliance repair) pay, from Insureon's cost page; most of its customers have fewer than five employees. Across all its small business customers, general liability runs $265 to $3,030 a year.
Claims appliance repair techs plan for
- A washer leaks after a repair and floods a laundry room
- A gas line is not tightened after a range repair
- A refrigerator is scratched moving it out
- A dryer catches fire after a repair
Ask your agent, in these words:
- Would my policy pay if a washer leaks after a repair and floods a laundry room?
- Would my policy pay if a gas line is not tightened after a range repair?
- Would my policy pay if a refrigerator is scratched moving it out?
- Would my policy pay if a dryer catches fire after a repair?
Name the work you sell
A policy covers the work you describe on the application. From the appliance repair services list, name each of these and ask whether any is excluded: washer repair; dryer repair; dryer vent cleaning; refrigerator repair; dishwasher repair; oven and range repair; microwave repair; diagnostic fee; install new appliance; ice maker repair.
Parts stock and diagnostic tools are what a tools policy covers. On the tools list, the items to list on the policy are refrigerant gauges, recovery and epa 608 card; brazing kit; manometer; infrared thermometer, and from the starter kit, multimeter; clamp meter; nut drivers and torx and security bits; appliance dolly and floor protection; flashlight and inspection mirror.
State rules in the license
Most states do not license appliance repair work as a trade of its own, so there is usually no state insurance minimum tied to a license. Cities and commercial customers can still set their own.
Workers' comp and bonds
The SBA says every business with employees must carry workers' compensation, unemployment and disability insurance. Insureon's average for contractors as a group is $160 a month, priced per $100 of payroll. A bond protects the state or the customer, not you; Insureon puts its yearly cost at a share of the bond amount:
| Bond amount | Estimated yearly cost |
|---|---|
| $5,000 | $25 to $500 |
| $10,000 | $50 to $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $250 to $5,000 |
Certificates of insurance
Property managers and home warranty companies ask for a certificate. Keep a PDF on your phone so you can send it the day they ask.
Sources
- Insureon: Insurance cost for contractors as a group, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: General liability insurance cost, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Workers' compensation insurance cost, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Surety bond cost, checked October 9, 2026
- SBA: Get business insurance, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.