Painting Contractor Insurance
General liability, workers’ comp, license bonds and commercial auto for residential and commercial painters, from a licensed broker who works with contractors every day. Same-day certificates of insurance. Call (949) 868-7350.
Who insures painting contractors?
Hard Hat Insurance partners with specialty insurance carriers to place coverage for painting contractors, from one-person painters to commercial crews, including new painting businesses and painters other agents have declined. Licensed broker Jesus Galvan places general liability, workers’ comp, commercial auto, tools and equipment, and license bonds through Bearstar Insurance Services, in all 50 states. Price depends mostly on your payroll, your sales, your state, interior versus exterior and commercial work, and your claims history.
Call (949) 868-7350 · Oregon (971) 430-4717 · Washington (509) 355-9480 · Se habla español.
What Insurance Does a Painting Contractor Need?
Most painters need four things: general liability with completed operations coverage, workers’ comp as soon as anyone else is on your crew, a license bond where your state requires one, and commercial auto for your van or truck. Property managers and GCs usually ask painting subs for $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, plus additional insured and waiver of subrogation wording, and many won’t let you start until they have your certificate.
Painting looks simple to insure, but the policy details matter. Overspray, lead paint on older homes and work on ladders and lifts are where claims come from, and many low-cost policies limit or exclude exactly those. The Hard Hat Insurance team, the marketing division of Bearstar Insurance Services, matches painters with carriers that fit their work and reads the exclusions before you sign.
Commercial General Liability
Painting General Liability
General liability pays when your work damages property or injures someone who isn’t your employee. For painters, common claims are overspray on cars, roofs and neighboring buildings, spills on floors and furniture, falling ladders or scaffolding, and slips on drop cloths. Completed operations coverage protects you after the job, for example if a finish fails and damages the surface underneath.
Coverage for spray work, exterior work and commercial jobs when that’s what you do.
Additional insured and waiver of subrogation wording for property managers and GCs.
Surety Bonds
Contractor License & Permit Bonds
Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada and Arizona all require a contractor bond to get or keep your license, and many cities require permit bonds. We can often issue bonds the same day, with a quick quote and no long application.
Bad credit programs available.
License, permit and contract bonds.
Painting workers’ comp is usually split between interior and exterior work, and exterior painting at height is rated higher. Reporting payroll under the right codes, and putting office staff and estimators under their own lower-rated codes, is the biggest lever on your premium. In Washington, workers’ comp is only available through L&I. Elsewhere, we compare state funds with private carriers, including pay-as-you-go plans for small crews.
Pay-as-you-go options available (helps cash flow).
Waivers of subrogation for property managers and commercial contracts.
Workers' Compensation
What We Cover
Commercial Auto
Work Van & Truck
Your personal auto policy may not cover an accident in a van or truck used for work, especially one carrying ladders, sprayers and paint. Commercial auto covers your work vehicles, trailers and the drivers you hire, with higher limits when a contract calls for them.
Builders Risk
Builders Risk (Course of Construction)
Protect your project from fire, wind, water damage and theft of materials, all common on job sites. We cover the structure from the ground up until the job is signed off.
Covers materials on-site and in transit.
Required by most lenders for new construction and remodels.
Inland Marine (Tools & Equipment): Covers theft of your generator, compressor and hand tools from the job site or your truck.
Professional Liability: For design-build contractors and construction managers.
Excess Liability (Umbrella): When the standard $1M limit isn’t enough for a big commercial contract.
And More
Painting Insurance by State
Oregon: Painters need a CCB license. Your bond and liability minimums depend on your residential or commercial endorsement. See Oregon contractor insurance.
Washington: Painters register with L&I as specialty contractors and keep a bond and liability insurance on file. Workers’ comp comes only from L&I. See Washington contractor insurance.
California: The CSLB licenses painting as C-33 (Painting and Decorating), with a $25,000 license bond. Starting January 1, 2028, California will require workers’ comp for every licensed contractor, even with no employees. See California contractor insurance.
Nevada: Painting is licensed by the NSCB as C-4 (Painting and Decorating). See Nevada contractor insurance.
Arizona: Painters need an ROC license in the painting classification (residential, commercial or dual) and a license bond. See Arizona contractor insurance.
Texas: No statewide painting license, but property managers, GCs and homeowners still ask for proof of insurance. See Texas contractor insurance.
Colorado: No statewide painting license. Cities and counties license contractors and set their own insurance rules. See Colorado contractor insurance.
Idaho: Painters register with the Idaho Contractors Board and keep general liability on file. See Idaho contractor insurance.
Every other state: We serve contractors in all 50 states. Call and we’ll tell you what your state requires.
Homes built before 1978: Under the EPA lead rule, painting firms that disturb paint in pre-1978 homes need EPA Lead-Safe certification. Ask us about pollution coverage for lead.
Main line: (949) 868-7350
Jesus Galvan, licensed insurance broker serving contractors in all 50 states. Se habla español.
Need a COI Today?
Most property managers and GCs ask painting subs for $1M/$2M GL with completed operations, additional insured, waiver of subrogation and proof of workers’ comp. Send us their requirements and we’ll confirm your policy meets them, usually the same day.
5 Painting Exclusions That Can Leave You Uninsured
1. Pollution and lead paint exclusion
Excludes claims from lead dust, chemicals or fumes. If you work on homes built before 1978, you may need contractor’s pollution coverage.
2. Spray painting or overspray limitation
Some policies exclude spray application or overspray damage to cars and buildings. If you spray, make sure it’s covered.
3. Height limitation
Limits coverage to work below a set height, often two or three stories. A problem if you paint apartments, commercial buildings or anything from a lift.
4. Subcontractor and action-over exclusions
Some policies require every sub to carry their own insurance naming you as additional insured, or a claim may be denied. Others exclude claims where an injured worker sues the GC, who passes the claim to you.
5. Exterior or new construction exclusion
Some painter policies cover interior residential work only. If you also paint exteriors, commercial buildings or new construction, those need to be listed.
Painting Contractor Insurance FAQ
What insurance do painting contractors need?
General liability with completed operations coverage, workers’ comp once anyone works for you, a license bond in states that require one, and commercial auto for work vehicles. Tools and equipment coverage and contractor’s pollution are common add-ons.
How much general liability do painters need?
State minimums vary, but most property managers and GCs require $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, and some commercial contracts require an umbrella on top.
Do I need workers’ comp if I paint alone?
It depends on your state. California will require it for all licensed contractors, even with no employees, starting January 1, 2028, and Washington coverage comes only through L&I. In most other states a sole owner can be exempt, but you need coverage as soon as you pay anyone, and many clients require it anyway.
Does my policy cover lead paint?
Usually not. Most general liability policies exclude pollution, including lead. Contractor’s pollution coverage can fill that gap for painters who work on older homes.
Can I get a certificate of insurance today?
Usually, yes. Once your policy is in place, we can issue certificates with additional insured and waiver of subrogation the same day.
Painting Contractor Insurance by State
Choose your state for the license, bond and insurance requirements where you work.
Contact
Call
info@hardhatinsurance.net
Hard Hat Insurance is a specialized marketing division of Bearstar Insurance Services.
Insurance services provided by Bearstar Insurance Services.
Jesus Galvan is a licensed insurance broker serving contractors in all 50 states. California License #4291921 · NPN #20617222.
Coverage is placed through Bearstar Insurance Services or partner brokerages and carriers. Availability varies by state.
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