Why Do I Need Painting Contractor Insurance?

Painting work requires precision and attention to detail, but also involves unique risks that can impact your business. You need to be prepared and protected from the potential for injuries on high scaffolds and exposure to harmful dust and chemicals. Painting contractor insurance is more than just a safeguard; it’s a tool that allows you to manage risks and focus on doing quality work.

In this article, Thomas McMillan, commercial lines staff underwriter at Central Insurance, outlines key risks that painting contractors face and some of the essential insurance coverages that help protect your business.

Common Risks Faced by Painting Contractors

Every jobsite presents risks, and as a painting contractor, there are several common hazards. Below, we break down these risks with a few examples of what they might look like in real-world scenarios.

Worker’s Compensation

Falling from heights is one of the leading causes of injury for painting contractors. Whether from scaffolding or ladders, fall-related injuries can disrupt the entire project, says McMillan.

Examples: 

• A painter working on a commercial building falls from a scaffolding and sustains injuries, requiring medical attention and time off work.
• A painter working on a residential job slips on a wet floor while using a ladder, leading to a twisted ankle and missed workdays.

Property Damage

McMillan explains that one of the most frequent—and costly—claims is tools and materials falling from heights. In his experience, these incidents can cause significant property damage, whether it’s paint buckets or equipment.

Examples: 

• A paint bucket falls from a scaffold and damages another contractor’s parked vehicle below, leading to a property damage claim.
• A ladder tips over and breaks a client’s window.

Completed Operations Liability

Even after a painting project is complete, there may be risks if the work starts to show signs of failure, like peeling or fading paint.

Examples:

• A client complains that the exterior paint began to peel within months of completion, and the contractor is facing a claim for faulty work.
• A commercial client reports that paint used in a high-traffic area started to fade prematurely, leading to a claim for poor durability.

Coverage Breakdown: Essential Insurance Policies for Painting Contractors

Now that we’ve covered some common risks, let’s dive into coverages that can help mitigate them. 

Workers’ Compensation 

Workers’ Compensation covers medical expenses and lost wages if an employee is injured on the job. Whether a slip-and-fall, exposure to hazardous chemicals, or another workplace injury, this coverage ensures that your employees receive the necessary medical care and compensation. Workers’ Compensation also safeguards your business from the financial burden of legal claims and potential lawsuits arising from workplace injuries.

General Liability 

General liability can protect your business from third-party bodily injury and property damage claims resulting from business operations. For example, suppose a paint bucket falls and causes damage to a client’s property, or a visitor is injured on the jobsite. In that case, general liability helps protect your business from associated legal costs, repair expenses, and medical bills. Ultimately, it helps mitigate the financial impact of incidents and accidents.

Commercial Auto 

Painters are often on the move, transporting tools and equipment to various jobsites. Commercial auto insurance covers accidents involving vehicles owned or used by your business to transport tools, equipment, or personnel between jobsites. Commercial auto covers property damage and bodily injury claims, providing protection for your business vehicles and employees while on the road.

Tools and Equipment 

Tools and Equipment coverage can protect your investment in essential tools and equipment. This coverage can help reimburse the costs of repairing or replacing damaged, stolen, or lost tools. Whether it’s a sprayer, scaffolding, or ladders, tools and equipment coverage can ensure your business operations are not disrupted and you can replace or repair essential tools after a covered loss reducing significant out-of-pocket costs.

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Completed Operations 

Completed Operations protects against incidents after a job has been completed by shielding you from financial loss when a client alleges that your work did not meet their expectations or contractual specifications. Improperly applied mildew-resistant coating and improper removal of lead paint are scenarios where completed operations coverage might kick in for a painter. 

Minimizing Risk for Painting Contractors: Prevention Is Key

Prevention is the best form of business protection. While painting contractor insurance helps to ensure your business is covered in case of an incident, taking steps to mitigate risks before they occur can save you time, money, and stress. 

Below is a breakdown of some key risk minimization strategies for many types of coverage you may need.

Workers’ Compensation:

• Implement Mandatory Safety Training: Ensure your team knows the risks and how to prevent accidents, especially when using ladders, scaffolds, or power tools.
• Use Fall Protection: When working at heights, equip employees with proper fall protection equipment, including harnesses and guardrails.
• Ensure Proper Chemical Handling: Educate workers on handling chemicals safely, using PPE like gloves and respirators, and providing adequate ventilation in work areas.
• Maintain a Safe Work Environment: Regularly inspect jobsites for potential hazards, such as wet floors or uneven surfaces that could cause slips, trips, and falls.
• Utilize Proper PPE and PPE Practices: Ensure that all workers are equipped with the necessary PPE for their specific tasks and are trained to use it.
• Follow Safe Chemical Exposure and Ventilation Practices: Exposure  to solvents, paints, and dust can cause respiratory problems for painters. Follow safety guidelines for chemical handling and encourage using low-toxicity or eco-friendly alternatives when possible.
• Enforce a Strong Safety Culture: Regular safety meetings and updated training ensure that workers recognize potential hazards and how to mitigate them.

General Liability

• Secure Work Zones: Use barriers and clear signage to prevent unauthorized access to hazardous work areas.
• Safely Store and Secure Materials: When working from heights, use harnesses, guardrails, or netting to prevent tools, paint buckets, ladders, and scaffolding from falling.
• Regularly Inspect Jobsites: Before beginning work, check for potential hazards, like exposed wiring and wet floors, to avoid injuries or property damage.
• Use Proper Disposal Methods: Safely dispose of paint and solvents according to best practices and local guidelines to prevent fires and pollution claims. Rags soaked in paint, stains, or solvents can spontaneously combust if not properly stored or discarded. 

Commercial Auto: Stay Safe on the Road

• Establish Safe Driving Practices: Ensure all drivers follow safe driving rules, such as obeying speed limits, wearing seat belts, and avoiding distracted driving.
• Conduct Regular Vehicle Maintenance: Perform routine checks on your vehicles to ensure they are in safe working condition. Routine inspections should include tire checks, oil changes, and brake inspections.
• Leverage Technology: Telematics allows you to monitor key driving metrics such as speed, braking patterns, and overall driving behavior. The collected data helps identify risky trends and provides valuable insights for enhancing driver training and overall fleet safety.
• Train Drivers in Defensive Driving: To reduce the likelihood of accidents, consider offering defensive driving courses to your employees.
• Have an Emergency Response Plan in Place: Even with proactive safety efforts, accidents can still happen. Establish a clear emergency response plan, including first-aid kits, emergency contact numbers, and procedures for dealing with accidents involving injuries, fire, or chemical spills.

Tools & Equipment:

• Regularly Inspect Tools: Ensure tools and equipment are in good condition before each job. Replace any tools showing signs of damage or wear.
• Secure Tools When Not in Use: Store equipment in a secure location to reduce theft risk. Lock up tools when leaving a jobsite, especially when working in an unsecured area.
• Label Equipment: Mark tools and equipment with your business name or contact information. Labeling can make it easier to track tools if they are lost or stolen.
• Implement a Tool Inventory System: Keep a detailed inventory of all equipment and tools, including serial numbers, to help with claims and replacements.

Completed Operations

• Use High-Quality Materials: Choose premium paints, coatings, and finishes less likely to peel, fade, or cause long-term damage.
• Ensure Proper Surface Preparation: Thoroughly clean and prep surfaces before applying paint to ensure a smooth and lasting finish.
• Set Client Expectations: Ensure clients understand your work’s expected lifespan and maintenance requirements to avoid misunderstandings and future frustrations.
• Conduct Post-Job Inspections: Review completed projects to ensure everything is defect-free and meets quality standards.

 The Central Difference

At Central, we understand the unique risks painting contractors face. We emphasize proactive loss control strategies to prevent claims and protect your business and crew. Our experienced loss control experts take a collaborative approach, working closely with you to identify potential hazards, implement safety protocols, and reduce risk.

“Our goal is to ensure your protection and peace of mind on every jobsite,” says McMillan. “When the unexpected does happen, our claims service is fast, reliable, and always ready to support you through the process. We ensure your claims are handled with care, so you can focus on your business with confidence we’ve got you covered every step of the way.”

Find an agent to learn more about Central’s painting contractor business coverages.