Painting is one of the lower-cost trades to insure, but the claims are real: overspray on a neighbor's car, a spilled gallon on new carpet, a ladder that tips into a window. General liability handles those, and it is what nearly every client and property manager asks to see.
Once you hire a crew, workers comp becomes the bigger line on the bill. Ladder and scaffold falls are the most common injuries in painting, which is why painter workers comp rates run higher than you might expect.
What insurance do painters need?
Here is how each type of painters insurance fits a typical painter business, from what clients and states usually require to what depends on how you work.
General liability
Usually requiredOverspray and spills on client property. Pays for injuries and property damage you cause to other people.
About $72 a month for paintersWorkers comp
Usually requiredLadder falls make this a big one once you hire. Pays medical bills and lost wages when an employee gets hurt on the job.
About $190 a month for paintersTools & equipment
Most carry itSprayers and lifts. Replaces tools and gear that get stolen, lost, or damaged.
Business owners policy
Most carry itMany painting businesses qualify. General liability and business property bundled together, usually for less.
About $109 a month for paintersCommercial auto
Depends on your setupIf you haul ladders and crew. Covers trucks and vans you use for work, and the damage they cause.
About $295 a month for paintersLicense & surety bonds
Depends on your setupWhere your state or city requires a contractor license. A guarantee to your customer or the state that you will follow the rules and finish the work.
How much does painters insurance cost?
The typical painter business pays about $72 a month, or $862 a year, for general liability, based on published customer data. Your price moves with your services, revenue, crew size, claims history, state, and the limits you choose.
| Policy | Typical monthly | Typical yearly |
|---|---|---|
| General liability | $72 | $862 |
| Business owners policy | $109 | $1,308 |
| Workers compensation | $190 | $2,280 |
| Commercial auto | $295 | $3,540 |
Source: Insureon cost data for this trade. Yearly figures without a published annual number are the monthly figure times twelve. These are typical figures, not quotes.
Want a number for your setup? Try the contractor insurance cost calculator, or see ways to get cheap contractor insurance.
Common painter insurance claims
- Overspray and spillsPaint on cars, roofs, carpets, and furniture is the classic painting claim. General liability pays for the cleanup or replacement.
- Ladder and scaffold fallsFalls are the top injury risk for painting crews. Workers comp covers employees; general liability covers anyone else hurt by your setup.
- Lead paintDisturbing lead paint in older homes brings strict EPA rules and possible exclusions. Ask how each policy treats lead work.
- Wrong product claimsUsing the wrong paint or finish can lead to a negligence claim and a costly redo.
Painter license and bond requirements
Some states require a contractor license for painting jobs above a dollar amount, while others leave it to cities. If you work on homes or child care facilities built before 1978, the EPA requires lead-safe RRP certification.
Confirm before you rely on this. Licensing and insurance rules change, and cities can add their own. Check with your state licensing board and a licensed agent before you bid.