Finding the right insurance coverage for your painting business shouldn’t require a masterpiece of patience. At ContractorNerd, we’ve paired smart technology, painter-friendly insurers, and painter-savvy independent insurance agents to completely remodel the insurance experience for painters. We make painters liability insurance and business coverage tailored, easy, and data-driven – designed specifically for the unique risks painting contractors face.
Our platform enables painters to secure multiple quotes from leading painter insurers and make decisions about the ‘right’ amount of coverage – this includes common liability options like tools & equipment, completed operations, and more.
Furthermore, data sits at the center of everything we do – it helps painters like you become more informed buyers. Our analysis of over 1,100 painter insurance quotes from painter-friendly insurers gives you unmatched transparency on:
- What coverage you actually need
- What it should cost (by state and business size)
- How to get the most competitive quotes
As trades-only agents powered by thoughtfully designed technology, we’ve simplified the entire process down to minutes instead of days.
Painters Insurance – What Do You Need?
For painters, whether operating independently or managing larger enterprises, selecting the right insurance coverage is crucial for safeguarding your business. Here’s a customized breakdown for painters at different stages of their business journey:
1. Sole Proprietor
As an independent painter, you need essential coverage to protect your business:
Painters Liability Insurance (General Liability) – Your fundamental coverage for property damage and injuries to non-employees. When customers ask if you’re “insured,” this is what they’re looking for.
Tools and Equipment Coverage – Protects your brushes, sprayers, ladders, and other equipment that keep you working.
Commercial Auto – Required if you have a vehicle dedicated to your painting business.
2. Growing Business (with Employees)
Once you hire employees, add these protections:
Workers Compensation – Legally required when you hire employees. Note: Subcontractors don’t count—they should carry their own coverage.
Commercial Property – Protects your physical business locations including workshops, storage facilities, and offices.
3. Established Business (with 5-10+ Employees)
As your painting company expands, consider:
Excess/Umbrella Insurance – Provides additional liability coverage beyond your standard limits as your revenue and project volume increase.
Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) – Shields you from employee-related lawsuits involving wrongful termination, discrimination, or harassment claims.
Painters Liability Insurance – aka General Liability
General Liability is the most essential coverage for painters, protecting against the daily risks and hazards inherent in your work. Common claims include:
- Property Damage: Unintentional damage to clients’ buildings, finishes, or structures
- Bodily Injury: Injuries to clients or bystanders resulting from your painting operations
- Product Liability: Claims arising from defective materials or products (Optional Coverage)
- Completed Operations: Issues that emerge after project completion (Optional Coverage)
Liability Limits for painters: Most painters are recommended to secure $1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate limits. Boosting from $500k to $1M marginally impacts premiums but substantially increases protection.
Typical Premium: 0.6% to 1.5% of annual revenue. Insurance premiums for painters vary by state, as shown in the data below from top insurance carriers. These industry-specific rates reflect average costs for painting contractors.
Key Factors Impacting Liability Premiums for Painters:
- Revenue: More revenue means greater exposure and claim likelihood, reflected in higher premiums.
- Policy Limits: Certain projects/contracts may need extra coverage, increasing costs. But build these expenses into your rates to help offset.
- Claims History: Like auto insurance, frequent claims increase premiums. A clean history keeps premiums affordable.
- Location: Stringent state regulations can increase oversight and premiums.
- Services: High-risk services typically warrant higher premiums than routine interior painting.
Painters Insurance Cost – ContractorNerd’s Quotes Study
The cost of painters insurance varies significantly based on multiple factors, with annual premiums ranging from as low as $600 to over $25,000 depending on your location, business size, and coverage needs. Our analysis of insurance data across all 50 states reveals that painting contractors typically spend between 0.7% and 2.0% of their annual revenue on general liability insurance alone.
For a typical painting business with $150,000 in annual revenue, the national average for general liability insurance is $2,090 per year. However, this figure masks substantial regional variations. Painters in states like Ohio might pay as little as $660 annually, while those in California could face premiums exceeding $3,200 for the same coverage level. These disparities reflect differences in state regulations, litigation environments, cost of living, and local market conditions.
As painting businesses grow, insurance costs scale accordingly but often at a decreasing percentage of revenue. A painting contractor with $500,000 in annual revenue pays an average of $5,380 nationally, representing about 1.1% of revenue. For million-dollar painting operations, the average annual premium reaches $10,510, or approximately 1.0% of revenue. This economy of scale rewards growth while maintaining proportional protection.
Understanding the potential for savings helps painting contractors evaluate whether they’re paying competitive rates. The following table shows national averages alongside favorable rates available in the market:
| Revenue Level | National Average | Favorable Rate | Potential Savings | Low % of Revenue | High % of Revenue |
| $150,000 | $2,090 | $1,370 | $720 (34%) | 0.93% | 2.01% |
| $500,000 | $5,380 | $3,190 | $2,190 (41%) | 0.70% | 1.49% |
| $1,000,000 | $10,510 | $5,660 | $4,850 (46%) | 0.73% | 1.57% |
For detailed information about painter insurance costs in your area, we’ve developed comprehensive guide on the cost of painter insurance across all 50 states.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Painters
If a painting business owner hires any W2 employees to work for them, having active workers’ comp insurance coverage is legally mandatory in essentially all states. This critical coverage pays for the variety of costs directly associated with any job-related injuries or illnesses that employees may experience during the course of their work. This includes coverage for medical treatment, hospitalization, lost wages reimbursement, rehabilitation, retraining costs, death benefits to dependents and more.
Premiums depend on the risk of your staff’s responsibilities, grouped into class codes by the NCCI. With over 600 codes, this helps insurers accurately categorize and price policies. Painters mainly use code 5474, with rates ranging from $3.48 to $8.36 per $100 of payroll per year for each worker.
Typical Policy Limits: State-dependent. Policies typically have unlimited benefits. However, limits can vary based on individual state rules.
Typical Premium: $3.48 to $8.36 per $100 of payroll
Key Factors Impacting Painter’s Workers’ Comp Premium:
- Class Codes: Employees are grouped by job type and risk level. More hazardous roles equal higher premiums. Painters mainly use code 5474.
- State: Each state governs workers’ comp regulations including benefits, claims processes, and baseline insurance rates. The cost of living and medical care also cause geographic premium variances.
- Experience Modifier: This figure represents your safety record, beginning at 1.0. It then adjusts up or down based on your claims history. More claims drive the modifier and premiums upward.
- Payroll Amount: A key factor is gross payroll, calculated as payroll / $100 * rate * experience modifier. Higher payroll increases premiums.
Most and least expensive states for Plumber’s Workers Compensation Insurance:
| State | Premium per $100K Payroll |
| New York | $13,200 |
| New Jersey | $12,590 |
| Georgia | $12,230 |
| Idaho | $8,850 |
| South Carolina | $8,430 |
Most Expensive WC Premium States for Painters
| State | Premium per $100K Payroll |
| North Dakota | $2,540 |
| Indiana | $2,600 |
| Arkansas | $2,810 |
| Texas | $2,960 |
| West Virginia | $3,100 |
Least Expensive WC Premium States for Plumbers
If you’d like to learn more, see our guide on Workers Compensation Insurance for Painters.
Additional Insurance Painters Should Consider
Beyond essential coverage, here are additional insurance types painters may need as their business grows:
Tools & Equipment Insurance (Inland Marine)
Protects painting equipment and tools during transport and at job sites from loss, theft, or damage. Annual premiums range from $200-$2,000, with policy limits of $5,000-$15,000+. Most policies have per-item limits (typically $5,000).
Contractors’ E&O Insurance
Covers claims related to business mistakes and negligence in painting work. Includes claims for faulty work, improper application, or substandard service. Covers professional negligence claims, legal defense, and judgments. Annual premiums range from $50-$500, with policy limits of $10,000-$1M+.
Commercial Auto Insurance for Painters
Covers work vehicles and liability from accidents during business operations. Personal auto policies don’t cover business use. Premiums range from $1,500-$3,050 per vehicle annually. Standard limits are $100K per person, $300K per accident, and $100K property damage, though higher limits ($500K-$1M) are recommended.
Bonds for Painters
Guarantees work quality and meets licensing requirements. Typical bond amounts range $5,000-$25,000, with painters paying 1-3% as premium. Premium costs vary by credit score:
| Bond Amount | Excellent Credit | Good Credit | Bad Credit |
| $5,000 | $100 – $150 | $150 – $200 | $200 – $400 |
| $10,000 | $100 – $300 | $300 – $500 | $500 – $1,000 |
| $15,000 | $150 – $400 | $400 – $750 | $750 – $1,500 |
| $20,000 | $180 – $500 | $500 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| $25,000 | $200 – $500 | $500 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $2,500 |
Illustration of bond premium by amount and credit score below
Requirements vary by state – California requires $25,000 bonds while Texas has no statewide mandate.
Commercial Property Insurance for Painters
Protects buildings and contents (equipment, supplies, paint inventory) against fire, theft, vandalism, and weather damage. Essential for painting businesses with warehouses, shops, or showrooms. Annual premiums range $1,000-$5,000, based on property value, location risks, and building type.
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) for Painters
Combines general liability and commercial property insurance. Ideal for businesses with physical locations, covering customer injuries, property damage, business assets, and business interruption. Usually offers lower premiums than separate policies but less flexibility. Premiums vary by business size, location, claims history, and added coverage.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance for Painters
An alternative to increasing general liability limits. Provides extra liability coverage beyond standard policies like general liability, auto liability, and employer’s liability. Covers large claims exceeding primary policy limits. Typically adds $1M coverage (up to $2M+ available). Annual premiums: $500-$1,000.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance for Painters
Covers employee claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other workplace issues. Annual premiums: $1,000-$5,000. Policy limits: $100,000-$1M.
Cyber Liability Insurance for Painters
Protects against data breaches and cyberattacks, including investigation, customer notification, credit monitoring, PR, and legal costs. Policy limits: $100K-$1M. Annual premiums: $300-$1,000.
Pollution Liability Insurance
Pollution liability insurance covers property damage, bodily injury, and cleanup costs caused by exposure to hazardous painting materials like paints, thinners, primers, sealers, or lead. For small to mid-size painting contractors, annual premiums range from $750 to $2,000 or more depending on materials used and coverage limits.
Check Your Coverage in Minutes – No Obligation, No Hassle
Are you paying too much for painter insurance? Is your current coverage actually protecting your business? There’s only one way to know for sure – and it takes just minutes to find out.
With ContractorNerd’s no-obligation quote platform, you can instantly see if you’re getting a fair deal on your insurance. No pressure, no sales calls, no commitment required. Just clear, competitive quotes from painter-friendly insurers so you can make an informed decision about your coverage.
Why painters choose ContractorNerd for ALL their insurance needs:
✓ Complete Coverage, One Platform – Get everything from general liability to workers’ comp, commercial auto to umbrella policies – all in one place. No more juggling multiple agents or carriers.
✓ Digital COIs in Seconds – Land that new job faster with instant digital Certificates of Insurance. When clients ask for proof of coverage, deliver it immediately from your phone or computer. No waiting, no phone calls, no delays.
✓ Save Time, Win More Jobs – While your competitors are still waiting for their agent to return calls, you’re already sending COIs and starting work.
See your personalized quotes in minutes – with zero obligation.
There’s no cost to check, no commitment to buy, and no pushy sales tactics. Just straightforward information about your insurance options so you can protect your painting business with confidence.