Cost
Most solo painters pay between $400 and $1,200 a year for general liability. Here's what drives the number — and what you'd likely pay.
Painter insurance costs vary based on your business size, the type of work you do, and the coverage you need. Here are typical ranges for the most common coverage types:
Insurance carriers rate painting businesses based on several key factors. Understanding these helps you know what to expect when you request a quote.
This is the single biggest driver of your GL premium. A painter doing $50,000 a year in revenue pays significantly less than one doing $300,000. Carriers use revenue as a proxy for exposure — more work means more potential for claims.
Commercial painters generally pay more than residential painters because commercial projects carry higher liability exposure — larger properties, more third parties, higher potential damages. If you do both, your carrier will blend the rate.
Adding employees increases your premium because it increases your exposure. Subcontractors can also affect your rate depending on how much of your revenue they represent. If you use subs, your policy needs to account for that exposure.
If you add inland marine (tools and equipment) coverage, the premium is based on the total value of your gear — sprayers, ladders, scaffolding, compressors. More valuable equipment means higher premium.
Most painters start with $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate. Some commercial clients and GCs require $2M/$4M, which costs more but is often a job requirement.
Insurance rates vary by state due to different regulatory environments, claim histories, and market competition. Some states are simply more expensive to insure in than others.
Annual policies cover all your work for the year and are almost always more cost-effective than per-job coverage. They also make producing certificates of insurance easy — one policy covers every client and GC you work with all year. We focus on annual policies for exactly this reason.
The best way to know your exact premium is to request a quote. Our licensed agents will ask about your revenue, the work you do, your employees and subcontractors, and your equipment — then shop multiple carriers to find the best fit for your operation.
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Our licensed agents build your custom quote — typically same business day.
FAQ
Most solo painters with no employees pay between $400 and $900 a year for general liability. Adding tools and equipment coverage typically brings the total to $600–$1,200 depending on your equipment value.
Generally yes. Commercial work carries higher exposure — larger properties, more third parties, higher potential damages. If you do both residential and commercial, your carrier will blend the rate.
Yes — most carriers offer monthly payment plans. You may pay slightly more over the course of the year versus paying upfront, but many painters prefer to spread the cost.
Yes, adding employees increases your premium because it increases exposure. The exact increase depends on your payroll size and the type of work your employees do.
Most painters start with $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, which satisfies the requirements of most residential clients and GCs. Some commercial projects require $2M/$4M. We can quote both.
Licensed agents build your custom quote — typically same business day. Review, enroll, and get your COI instantly.