Painters insurance is crucial to protect your business, yet many owners and contractors find getting liability insurance for painters and tailored coverage all too difficult. No more.
At ContractorNerd, we make painters liability insurance and business insurance tailored, easy, and data-driven. We’ve analyzed quotes for over 1,100 insurance quotes from top providers to provide transparency on what you need, what it should cost, and how to get quotes. Let’s get started with the basics.
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:
- Sole Proprietor Painters:
- Painters Liability Insurance (aka General Liability) covers property damage and non-employee injuries – this is what customers mean when asking if you’re “insured”
- Inland Marine protects your tools and equipment
- Contractor’s E&O covers claims from faulty workmanship
- Commercial Auto is needed for dedicated work vehicles
- Small Painting Business (2-3 Employees):
- Workers comp is required for employees (excluding subcontractors)
- Commercial property covers workshops, storage, and offices
- Umbrella Insurance (or higher limits on your Painters Liability) should be considered as your business grows in revenue and project count.
- Established Painting Business (5+ Employees):
- Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) to protect owners against potential lawsuits from employees.
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 recommend 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
Based on our analysis of over 800 General Liability insurance quotes from major carriers for painters across various states and business sizes, average annual premiums typically fall within these ranges:
- Small Painting Business ($150K Revenue, 1 employee) – $1,200 to $2,000
- Mid-sized Painting Business ($500K Revenue, 3 employees) – $3,400 to $5,200
- Large Painting Business ($1M Revenue, 5 employees) – $5,800 to $10,100
New painting businesses may initially pay 25%+ higher rates until insurers can assess their risk profile. Premiums often decrease after establishing a claims-free track record over several years. The following table shows typical general liability insurance premiums for painters across different states. Each revenue category assumes:
- $150K Revenue: Single owner, ~10% subcontractor costs, 5+ years claims-free operation
- $500K Revenue: Owner plus 3 employees, ~10% subcontractor costs, 5+ years claims-free operation
- $1M Revenue: Owner plus 5 employees, ~10% subcontractor costs, 5+ years claims-free operation
| State | $150K Revenue | $500K Revenue | $1M Revenue | |||
| Avg. Premiums | % of Revenue | Avg. Premiums | % of Revenue | Avg. Premiums | % of Revenue | |
| California | $2,570 | 1.7% | $6,610 | 1.3% | $13,570 | 1.4% |
| Texas | $1,880 | 1.3% | $5,230 | 1.0% | $10,430 | 1.0% |
| Florida | $2,610 | 1.7% | $7,490 | 1.5% | $15,560 | 1.6% |
| Massachusetts | $1,930 | 1.3% | $5,080 | 1.0% | $9,770 | 1.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $4,640 | 3.1% | $11,640 | 2.3% | $25,970 | 2.6% |
| Illinois | $2,950 | 2.0% | $7,250 | 1.5% | $15,540 | 1.6% |
| Ohio | $1,260 | 0.8% | $3,350 | 0.7% | $6,570 | 0.7% |
| Georgia | $1,670 | 1.1% | $4,340 | 0.9% | $8,180 | 0.8% |
| North Carolina | $1,320 | 0.9% | $3,540 | 0.7% | $7,190 | 0.7% |
| Michigan | $1,480 | 1.0% | $4,020 | 0.8% | $7,290 | 0.7% |
For detailed information about painter insurance requirements in your area, we’ve developed comprehensive guides for all 50 states. These resources will help you understand local regulations and ensure your painting business has proper coverage.
It’s important to consider the various types of painters that need to be insured.
Potential Savings on Liability Insurance for Painters
Working with an insurance agent who specializes in painter coverage can help you secure better rates and more comprehensive protection. Below are actual savings examples for painting contractors at different revenue levels – comparing the same business across different carriers. If you’re currently paying rates similar to the averages shown above, we recommend you get quotes to explore options for comparable or enhanced coverage at more competitive prices.
| State | $150K Revenue | $500K Revenue | $1M Revenue | |||
| Favorable Rate | Potential Savings | Favorable Rate | Potential Savings | Favorable Rate | Potential Savings | |
| California | $1,580 | 39% | $5,270 | 20% | $10,530 | 22% |
| Texas | $1,170 | 38% | $2,690 | 49% | $5,100 | 51% |
| Florida | $1,950 | 25% | $6,730 | 10% | $11,490 | 26% |
| Massachusetts | $1,330 | 31% | $4,070 | 20% | $6,530 | 33% |
| Pennsylvania | $2,800 | 40% | $7,140 | 39% | $19,400 | 25% |
| Illinois | $2,070 | 30% | $4,430 | 39% | $7,150 | 54% |
| Ohio | $660 | 48% | $1,620 | 52% | $2,290 | 65% |
| Georgia | $840 | 50% | $2,460 | 43% | $4,980 | 39% |
| North Carolina | $680 | 48% | $1,400 | 60% | $2,870 | 60% |
| Michigan | $1,030 | 30% | $1,950 | 52% | $3,040 | 58% |
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 |
| State | Premium per $100K Payroll |
| North Dakota | $2,540 |
| Indiana | $2,600 |
| Arkansas | $2,810 |
| Texas | $2,960 |
| West Virginia | $3,100 |
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 |
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.
Why Insure Your Painting Business With ContractorNerd?
Protect your painting business with ContractorNerd’s specialized insurance solutions. Our industry experts connect you with leading providers, offering competitive quotes tailored to your needs. Skip the complexity and get the right coverage at the right price. Get quotes today to secure your business with confidence.