What insurance does a painter and decorator need?

Public liability is the core cover: it pays compensation and legal costs if your work injures someone or damages their property. Employers liability is compulsory the moment you employ anyone, including a day-rate labourer. Tools cover, personal accident and, where you specify finishes for a fee, professional indemnity are the usual additions.

Do I need insurance as a self-employed painter and decorator?

Legally, only employers liability once you take anyone on. In practice a self-employed decorator cannot work without public liability: customers, letting agents, main contractors and trade schemes ask for the certificate, and a single claim can exceed a years earnings. Household insurance excludes business activity.

How much does painters and decorators insurance cost?

There is no standard figure. Insurers rate on turnover, the number of people working, the liability limit chosen, the maximum height you work at, whether you use spray equipment, heat guns or chemical strippers, the value of tools insured, the type of premises you work in, and your claims history.

Does public liability cover paint damage to a customer's property?

Yes, accidental damage to third-party property is what public liability responds to: paint spilled on flooring, overspray on a car, a dropped tin on a worktop. It does not cover the quality of your own work, and most policies exclude damage to the specific item you are working on.

Do painters and decorators need professional indemnity insurance?

Usually not. Professional indemnity covers financial loss caused by advice, design or specification given for a fee, with no physical damage involved. It becomes relevant if you produce colour schemes or specifications for a fee, consult on specialist finishes, or sign off others work. Some commercial contracts require it regardless.

What is painting contractor insurance?

It is the same core package written for a painting business: public liability at the limit main contractors and commercial clients ask for, employers liability for staff and labour-only subcontractors, tools and plant cover, and hired-in plant cover for scaffolding or access towers. Insurers ask about commercial work, maximum height, spraying and subcontracting.

Does painters insurance cover interior and exterior painting?

Yes, one policy normally covers both, but exterior work must be declared because of the height involved, ladders and scaffold over public footpaths, overspray and weather. Tell the insurer the maximum height and whether you use scaffolding, cherry pickers or spray equipment outside; an interior-only policy may not respond to an exterior claim.

Is general liability insurance the same as public liability for painters?

Broadly, yes. General liability is the American term; in the UK the same protection is called public liability, covering injury to third parties and damage to their property caused by your work. A UK painting business needs public liability, plus employers liability if it employs anyone.

Painters and Decorators Insurance UK: A Complete Guide

Painters and decorators insurance covers the specific risks faced by decorating contractors, including public liability, tools cover, and employers liability.

Cover is subject to underwriting, insurer terms and acceptance. Policy limits and exclusions apply.