Painting · Insurance

Painting insurance

A painting contractor should carry general liability insurance (for damage to your property) and workers' compensation (for injuries to their crew). Ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly from their insurance agent, not a copy from the contractor. Requirements for what contractors must carry are set by state, so confirm your state's rules with its licensing board.

Get my free quote

The two exposures are different. General liability covers the contractor damaging your property — overspray on a car, a ladder through a window, paint on a stone patio. Workers' compensation covers their employees if someone falls off a ladder on your job. Painting involves height and solvents, so both matter.

Verification is the part people skip. A certificate of insurance (COI) emailed straight from the insurance agency, naming you or your address, is meaningful. A PDF forwarded by the contractor is not — dates get altered and policies get cancelled. Ask the agent to confirm the policy is active.

Also ask how they classify their crew. Companies that use only "independent contractors" may not carry workers' compensation. Whether that leaves you exposed depends on your state's law and your homeowners policy — this is worth a call to your own insurer before a large job.

We can't tell you your state's specific requirements, and no honest contractor should either. Contractor insurance and licensing minimums are state-set. Check your state contractor licensing board, and check your own homeowners policy for what it does and doesn't cover during contracted work.

How to choose

Get the COI from the agent: Direct from the insurance agency, with current effective dates. Ask to be notified if the policy lapses.
Confirm both coverages: General liability and workers' compensation are separate policies. Having one is not having both.
Ask about subcontractors: If the work is subbed out, the sub needs coverage too. Get that in writing before work starts.
Call your own insurer for large jobs: Ask what your homeowners policy covers if a contractor damages your home or a worker is injured on your property.
Check your state's requirements: Minimum coverage and licensing rules vary by state. Your state contractor licensing board is the authority, not the contractor.

0 pages

All painting insurance

Nothing published here yet. Tell us what you need and we'll match you with a pro who can answer it properly.

FAQ

Painting insurance — common questions

Still have a question? Talk to our team →

What is a certificate of insurance?

A one-page summary from the insurer showing the policy types, limits and effective dates. It's evidence, not the policy itself — which is why getting it from the agent and confirming the policy is active matters.

Am I liable if an uninsured painter is hurt at my house?

It depends on your state's workers' compensation law and your homeowners policy. It is a real risk, which is why hiring uninsured crews to save money can be the most expensive decision in the project. Ask your own insurer.

Does my homeowners insurance cover a bad paint job?

Generally no. Homeowners policies cover sudden accidental damage, not poor workmanship. Bad work is a contract matter — which is why the written workmanship warranty is important.

Should the contractor be bonded too?

Bonding requirements vary by state and job type, and a bond is not the same as insurance. Ask your state licensing board whether bonding is required for painting contractors where you live.

Sources

Where these figures come from

EPA — RRP Program: Contractors · retrieved 2026-07-25