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Painting looks low-risk until a ladder slips, overspray drifts onto a neighbor's car, or a drop cloth doesn't catch a spill on a client's hardwood floors. Asshield™ builds insurance programs for residential and commercial painters, from owner-operators with one van to crews with several vehicles, and compares several companies so the policy matches the work you actually do.
A two-person crew is painting the exterior of a Chevy Chase home in Lexington. Wind carries overspray across the driveway onto the neighbor's new SUV. General liability responds to the neighbor's claim for detailing and paint correction, and the certificate the painter gave the homeowner up front kept the job on track.
Where we see it locally
In Lexington, a lot of painting work is in older homes in neighborhoods like Chevy Chase, Ashland Park and Bell Court. Many were built before 1978, which brings lead-safe work rules into play. Along Florida's Emerald Coast, salt air and sun mean frequent repaints of condos and rentals, often for property managers who require specific certificates.
Painters in Kentucky
Kentucky doesn't issue a statewide painting contractor license; permits and registrations are local, so check with the city or county. Kentucky requires workers' comp once you have one employee, and family members and part-time helpers count. If you use subs, collect their certificates; under Kentucky's up-the-ladder rule, a contractor can be responsible for an uninsured sub's injured workers.
Painters in Florida
Construction-industry employers in Florida generally need workers' comp with one or more employees. Many Gulf Coast property managers and HOAs require specific GL limits and additional-insured wording before you can work on site.
More: Contractors hub · Drywall · Pressure washing · General liability · Workers' comp
Risks painters face
Ladder and scaffold falls
The most common serious injury in the trade, and a big driver of workers' comp pricing.
Overspray and spills
Damage to cars, roofs, landscaping, floors and furniture.
Lead paint in pre-1978 homes
Renovation work that disturbs lead paint in older homes generally requires EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair and Painting) firm certification and lead-safe practices. Some liability policies exclude or limit pollution and lead claims, so we read that wording with you.
Completed work
Peeling, staining or a missed spot that turns into a damage claim after you've left.
Vans and equipment
Sprayers, ladders and trailers in transit and on site.
A typical painting contractor program
Every business is different. This is a starting point we tailor to your work, contracts and state.
General liability
With additional-insured and completed-operations wording when contracts require it
How it worksWorkers' compensation
How it worksCommercial auto
How it worksTools & equipment
Inland marine
How it worksCommercial umbrella
How it worksHave this handy
Residential vs. commercial split, interior vs. exterior, annual revenue and payroll, use of subs, max working height, any lead-safe (RRP) certification, vehicles and equipment values, and 3–5 years of loss history.
Painters insurance questions
Do I need RRP certification to paint older homes?
Work that disturbs paint in most homes built before 1978 generally falls under EPA's RRP rule, which requires firm certification and lead-safe work practices. Check EPA's guidance for your projects, and tell us so we can review your policy's lead and pollution wording.
Does general liability cover overspray on a car?
Usually, yes. Damage you accidentally cause to someone else's property is a classic GL claim, subject to the policy terms and deductible.
Do I need workers' comp for one helper?
In Kentucky, yes. Employers with one or more employees must carry it, including part-time and family workers.
Are my sprayers and ladders covered by GL?
No. Your own tools and equipment need inland marine or equipment coverage.
We cover your assets
Compare painters insurance with an independent agency
Tell us about your business once. We shop multiple carriers, explain the trade-offs in plain English, and handle certificates, audits and renewals after you bind.
Educational only — not a policy, quote, or coverage guarantee. Coverage, eligibility, and carrier availability vary by state, class of business, and underwriting. Policy language controls. Talk with a licensed Asshield agent about your situation.