Painters and Decorators Insurance

What is painters and decorators insurance?

Painters and decorators insurance is a type of business insurance designed specifically for painting and decorating businesses in the UK. Rather than a single cover, it is usually a package that you build around the risks your business faces.

A typical policy can include:

• Public liability insurance - protects your business if a customer or member of the public is injured, or their property is damaged, as a result of your work.
• Employers' liability insurance - protects your business if one of your employees becomes ill or is injured because of their work for you.
• Tools and equipment insurance - covers the cost of repairing or replacing tools and equipment that are lost, stolen or damaged.
• Professional indemnity insurance - covers legal fees and compensation claims made against you if you make a mistake or are found to be negligent in your work.

You can read more about each cover on our public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance pages.

Who needs painters and decorators insurance?

Anyone who runs a painting and decorating business in the UK should consider it, whether you work alone or employ a team. The work takes place on other people's property, often at height and around their belongings, so the chance of damaging something or someone being hurt is real.

Without insurance, your business could be exposed to significant financial losses if you are found liable for damages or a compensation claim. If you employ staff, employers' liability becomes particularly important, because it is the cover that responds when an employee is injured or falls ill through their work for you.

What does painters and decorators insurance cover?

It covers the costs that fall on your business when something goes wrong on a job. The source examples show how this works in practice.

• If a customer falls off a ladder and injures themselves while you are working on their property, they may be entitled to claim compensation from your business. Public liability insurance pays the compensation and legal fees associated with that claim.
• If one of your employees becomes ill or is injured while working for you, employers' liability insurance covers the compensation and legal fees.
• If your brushes, sprayers, ladders or other kit are lost, stolen or damaged, tools and equipment insurance covers the repair or replacement cost.
• If a mistake or negligence in your work leads to a claim, professional indemnity insurance covers the legal fees and compensation.

What is not covered by painters and decorators insurance?

Each cover only responds to the type of claim it is designed for, so a gap in your package is the most common reason a claim is not paid. Public liability will not cover an injury to your own employee, and employers' liability will not cover damage to a customer's property. Tools cover only applies if you have added it to the policy, and professional indemnity only applies to claims arising from mistakes or negligence in your work.

Every policy also carries an excess, which is the amount you pay yourself when you make a claim, and limits of cover, which cap what the insurer will pay for each section. Check both before you buy so that you are not left short on a large claim.

How much does painters and decorators insurance cost?

There is no single price, because premiums are set by each insurer based on the covers you choose and the details of your business. Premiums vary between providers, which is why comparing quotes matters.

The main things that shape the price are:

• which covers you include - public liability, employers' liability, tools and professional indemnity
• the limits of cover you select for each section
• the excess you are willing to pay on a claim
• whether you employ staff
• any additional benefits, such as 24/7 claims support, bundled into the policy

Choosing a higher excess or lower limits will usually reduce the premium, but make sure the cover still fits the size of the jobs you take on.

Is employers' liability insurance a legal requirement for painters and decorators?

If you employ anyone in your painting and decorating business, employers' liability insurance is the cover that keeps you compliant with UK law. It protects your business if an employee becomes ill or is injured as a result of their work for you, paying the compensation and legal fees associated with the claim.

Public liability, tools cover and professional indemnity are not legal requirements, but many customers and contractors will expect you to hold public liability before they let you on site. Our employers' liability insurance guide explains the cover in more detail.

How do I compare painters and decorators insurance?

Compare policies on what they cover and what they cost, not on price alone. When looking at quotes, check:

• Cover options - does the policy include everything your business needs?
• Premiums - compare the price from different providers to find the best value.
• Excess - how much would you have to pay yourself if you made a claim?
• Limits of cover - are the limits for each section enough for the jobs you do?
• Additional benefits - some providers include extras such as 24/7 claims support.

With Quote Goat you fill in one short form about you and your business, and a specialist tradesman insurance partner contacts you with tailored quotes. You then buy your policy direct from the provider you prefer. You can also compare cover for other trades on our tradesmen insurance page.