Business Insurance for Painters
Painting
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How much does business insurance cost for painters?

Painter insurance costs depend on the type of insurance, policy limits, deductibles, and factors such as your business's location and number of employees. Save money on business insurance by comparing quotes from different providers with Insureon.

Top painter insurance policies and their cost

Here are the top painting business insurance policies and their average monthly cost:

Our figures are sourced from the median cost of policies for painters who apply for quotes with Insureon. The median offers a better estimate of what your business is likely to pay because it excludes outlier high and low premiums.

General liability insurance icon

General liability insurance

From sign painting to paperhanging and house painting, painters pay an average of $59 per month, or $704 per year, for general liability insurance. You may need proof of insurance for this policy to sign a commercial lease or a client contract.

Liability insurance for painters can help pay for medical expenses from accidents, such as a customer who trips over your ladder and suffers an injury. It can also cover costs if someone sues your business over a bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury.

This is the average policy for painting contractors who buy from Insureon:

Premium: $59 per month
Policy limits: $1 million per occurrence; $2 million aggregate
Deductible: $500

The cost of a general liability insurance policy depends on factors such as the coverage limits you choose, the size of your business, the amount of foot traffic, and any subcontractors or additional insured endorsements. Learn more about how your premium is calculated.

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Business owner's policy

Painting businesses and contractors pay an average of $84 per month for a business owner's policy, or $1,002 annually. Only small, low-risk businesses are eligible for a BOP.

A business owner's policy bundles two important types of coverage at a discount. It includes general liability coverage to protect against common lawsuits, and commercial property insurance to cover theft, vandalism, and damaged business property.

This is the average business owner's policy for a painter who buys from Insureon:

Premium: $84 per month
Policy limits: $1 million per occurrence; $2 million aggregate
Deductible: $500

The cost of a business owner's policy depends on factors such as the insurance options you choose, the size of your business, the amount of foot traffic, and the value of your business property.

Workers’ compensation insurance icon

Workers’ compensation insurance

Painting businesses pay an average of $239 per month for workers’ compensation insurance, or $2,871 annually.

Workers' comp helps pay for medical costs from work-related injuries and illnesses. Most policies include employer's liability insurance, which covers the cost of lawsuits related to workplace injuries.

There's usually no limit to how much a workers' comp policy can pay for employee benefits, though it depends on state laws.

The cost of workers' compensation insurance depends on factors such as the number of employees and the type of work they do. Learn more about how workers' comp costs are calculated.

Commercial auto insurance icon

Commercial auto insurance

Businesses and contractors that do residential and commercial painting pay an average of $139 per month, or $1,673 per year, for commercial auto insurance.

Most states require this coverage for vehicles owned by a painting company. For self-employed painters and other small painting businesses that use personal, rented, and leased vehicles used for work-related purposes, look to hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) instead.

Commercial auto insurance provides financial protection in the event of an accident involving your business vehicle. It can help pay for property damage, medical bills, and legal costs. When buying a policy, you'll need to make sure your coverage limits match the requirements in your state.

The cost of a commercial auto policy depends on the coverage options you choose, the value of the vehicle, and your insurance claims history. Learn how insurers calculate your premium.

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Contractor’s tools and equipment coverage icon

Contractor’s tools and equipment insurance

Painting businesses pay an average of $14 per month for contractor’s tools and equipment insurance, or $169 annually.

A form of inland marine insurance, this policy covers your property whether it’s in your office, in transit, or at a job site. It can pay for lost, stolen, or damaged tools and equipment valued at $10,000 or less.

The cost of contractor's tools and equipment coverage depends on the value of your tools and equipment and the type of work you do.

Professional liability insurance icon

Professional liability insurance

Construction businesses and contractors pay an average of $74 per month, or $886 per year, for professional liability insurance. Painting businesses can often bundle this policy with general liability insurance for a discount, at an average rate of $112 monthly.

This painter's liability insurance covers legal fees related to professional negligence, such as an accusation that you failed to use the correct kind of paint. It's sometimes referred to as errors and omissions insurance (E&O).

This is the average insurance coverage for contractors who buy from Insureon:

Premium: $74 per month
Policy limits: $1 million per occurrence; $1 million aggregate
Deductible: $1,250

The cost of professional liability insurance depends on factors such as the coverage limits you choose, the size of your business, and your profession. Find out how insurers set professional liability premiums.

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Commercial umbrella insurance

Painting businesses pay an average of $59 per month, or $707 annually, for commercial umbrella insurance, which you can buy to boost the limits of your underlying general liability, commercial auto, or employer's liability insurance.

When the underlying policy reaches its limit, commercial umbrella insurance activates to cover any costs over that limit, up to the additional limit of your umbrella policy.

The cost of commercial umbrella insurance depends primarily on the amount of coverage you purchase.

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Surety bonds

Construction contractors and businesses pay an average of $8 per month, or $100 per year, for a surety bond.

A surety bond reimburses your client if you're unable to fulfill the terms of a contract or other agreement. You may need a surety bond to get a license for certain types of work.

The cost of a surety bond primarily depends on the size of the bond.

How do I get painting business insurance?

Insureon can help you find affordable painting insurance coverage in three easy steps:

  1. Fill out a free online application with details about your business.
  2. Compare custom quotes from top-rated U.S. insurance providers.
  3. Select a policy and pay the premium to begin coverage.

You can consult a licensed insurance agent for questions about your risks and state insurance requirements. Once you've bought a policy, you can download a certificate of insurance for proof of coverage. Most small business owners can get insured within 24 hours of applying for quotes.

Updated: August 30, 2023
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