Painter Insurance
Painters need to protect themselves and their business with very specific coverages, and having a vast knowledge of their insurance needs is key to a successful business. Whether you’re just getting started or if you’ve been in business for years, painter’s insurance will protect you no matter how careful or meticulous you are at each job site. In most states, coverage is mandatory.
What insurance does a painter need?
So many things can go wrong on a construction site or a painting project, and choosing the right insurance coverage can keep you and your business protected. Here are the coverages you need:
General Liability:
General liability covers painting risks like paint spills or damage to a customer’s property.
Worker’s Compensation:
Workers comp is generally mandatory and covers things like missed wages due to an injury or an employee’s medical expenses.
Commercial Auto:
Commercial automobile insurance usually covers third-party injuries and property damage caused by commercial vehicles.
Contractor’s Tools and Equipment:
Tools and equipment coverage handles the repair or replacement of brushes, paint sprayers, and other painting tools.
Don’t let your luck run out
If you’ve been in business for a while and have not had to deal with any insurance claims or lawsuits, you’ve been lucky. However, your luck will run out at some point. It’s inevitable, but don’t let your luck run out. Get the coverage that will protect your business.
Whether you’re a one-man operation or have a large staff, painter’s insurance is important because it protects you if things go wrong on a job site. And most states require painters to have certain insurance or bonds before they can get a license with the state.
Workers compensation for painters
Nearly every state requires painting contractors to have workers’ compensation insurance due to the physical nature of the job. It’s important for an employer to be protected from accidents like simple slips and falls all the way to serious bodily injury. Workman’s comp can pay for medical bills following an injury, and it can even cover lost wages if the employee can’t return to work right away.
Painter Insurance adds credibility to your business
Some clients will prefer that you are insured, and, in some states, contractor or painter insurance is mandatory. Some clients will be immediately skeptical if you aren’t properly insured, and having the right coverage can only add credibility to your business.
If you are just getting started with your painting business and don’t have a lot of customer reviews, having the right coverage can help you simply through word of mouth.
What are the risks for a professional painter?
Painters really exist in two worlds — interior and exterior — and different risk factors occur in each of those worlds.
Interior Painting:
Interior, which, of course, means “inside” has its own set of problems. No matter how skilled you or your employees are, accidents can happen, and you need protection. Trips and falls, paint spills, and property damage can all drain your bank accounts, including savings accounts. Whether or not you use spray guns or paintbrushes, those specific tools can have an impact on the types of coverage you need.
Exterior Painting:
Exterior or “outdoor painting” has its own set of dangerous issues with tall scaffolding, ladders, cherry pickers, and much more. Risk assessment is a huge part of determining the types of coverage you need. If you are working on a building, three or four stories in the air, it can be way more dangerous than a painting project that never leaves the ground.
How to show off your coverage
When a client knows about the coverage your business possesses, they start to see you as a professional who will conduct business accordingly. Once you’ve settled into your insurance policy, start showing the world by showcasing it on your company’s vehicles and website. Here are some examples:
- Your truck
- Your website
- Flyers and marketing materials
- Your business cards
- Project sites like HomeAdvisor.com and Thumbtack.com