Get a Painter Insurance Quote

What is painter insurance?

Painter insurance is a specialized package that covers the most common risks faced by painting contractors. This type of insurance provides legal and financial protection in case of accidents, like paint spilled on an expensive hardwood floor or an employee falling off a ladder and breaking an arm.

Whether you’re painting the interior of a home as a solo contractor or working on large commercial properties with an extensive team, your business is always exposed to a handful of perils. Painter insurance is how you protect yourself from these perils.

Though it can’t stop bad things from happening, having painter insurance will ensure that if they do happen, you’re ready to stave off massive financial losses that may otherwise derive from litigation, damage or injury costs.

What does painter insurance cover my business for?

A comprehensive painter insurance policy offers protection in the areas of operation that present the greatest level of risk to painters. This includes the following types of coverage:

• Commercial general liability insurance (CGL): Typically covers bodily injury, property damage and personal injury that may occur during business operations. Let's say, for example, that a client trips over some of your equipment and injures themselves. CGL would help cover medical expenses and legal fees associated with the incident.
• Tools and equipment insurance This coverage protects you from the loss or damage of your essential gear. For professional painters, that means not just brushes and rollers but also pricey scaffolding and high-pressure paint sprayers. Just imagine your equipment gets stolen or damaged - replacing it could set you back thousands of dollars and prevent you from meeting tight deadlines.
• Commercial auto insurance: If you use a van, truck, trailer or even your personal vehicle for business, it’s necessary to have commercial auto insurance. This coverage protects against damage to your vehicle in case of an accident while you’re working. Don’t rely on your regular auto insurance - it won’t cover you here, and without commercial coverage, your auto claims may be rejected.
• Workers' compensation: This type of insurance covers medical bills and lost pay if an employee gets injured on the job. Your insurance will help pay for their recovery and their wages while they are unable to work.

What insurance coverage add-ons are recommended for painters?

While a typical painter insurance policy in Canada will include a combination of general liability, tools and equipment, commercial auto and workers’ compensation insurance, policies can be customized with add-ons. Some of the most popular add-ons that Canadian painters choose to include in their policies, are:

• Pollution liability coverage: If you're a painter, you might accidentally release harmful emission like solvents or paint thinners into an enclosed environment. Pollution liability coverage protects you from claims related to these actions. It helps pay for cleanup and legal fees if your painting causes environmental damage.
• Business interruption insurance: Sometimes, things like natural disasters or equipment breakdowns can stop you from working. Business interruption insurance helps you out when you can't work because of such events. It covers expenses like rent and salaries even when you aren’t making money. This insurance helps your painting business bounce back quickly and without huge financial loss.
• Errors and omissions insurance: Mistakes can happen in painting, like when you miscalculate a quote or can’t meet a project deadline. Errors and omissions insurance protects you if someone asserts you messed up and didn’t deliver what you promised, and they demand compensation. This type of insurance can help pay for legal fees and settlements if a client believes you made a mistake that cost them money or inflicted damages.

How much does painter insurance cost in Canada?

Painter insurance policies vary considerably in cost. This is because each business is different, and those differences affect the degree of risk that insurance companies perceive each one to pose.

For example, a company with 10 employees will pay more for insurance than a sole proprietor; a company in a large urban space will pay more than a company in a rural area; a company generating $500,000 of annual revenue will pay more than a company earning $200,000.

For most painters in Canada, insurance will cost somewhere in the range of $500 to $2,500 per year. But this won’t be the case for all painters. To see how much it’ll cost your business to get painter insurance, you’ll need to get a quote.

What factors determine the cost of painter insurance?

Things like location, revenue and the number of employees a business has contributes to determining the cost of insurance. But these are not the only factors at play.

The types of coverage and the limits for those coverages will also impact premiums. The level at which you set your deductibles matters as well.

The nature of the painter’s work is another important factor. For example, to an insurance company, painting over walls after a tenant moves out of a basement apartment is less risky than working on a bridge or on the exterior of a skyscraper.

Discuss these details with your insurance provider to construct a policy that fits your needs at the best possible price.

How does painter insurance work?

Painting insurance covers you for all sorts of risks. Your insurance agent will go over the details of your policy and any exclusions. You’ll pay monthly premiums to keep your coverage active. If something happens, like a paint spill, a stolen work van or an injury on the job, report it to your insurance company right away.

Provide all necessary evidence and documents to process the claim. Once it’s approved, you’ll get compensated according to your policy.

How to get the cheapest painter insurance quote

Start by deciding what to include in your policy and then get a quote. Once you’re in touch with an insurance provider, discuss opportunities for potential savings. For instance, you might combine general liability with commercial auto insurance, though this isn’t suitable for every business. Higher deductibles and a clean insurance record can also lower your premiums.

Having a strong track record of claims-free operating will also help keep costs low.