Public liability
Claims for injury to someone else or damage to their property arising from your insured work. Check the limit required by your customers or contracts.
Explore this coverFOR YOUR TRADE. FOR YOUR WORKING DAY.
Painters & decorators insurance
Explore cover for decorating jobs inside and out, from accidental damage to the equipment that helps you get the finish right.
Get a quote Explore your coverAnswer a few quick questions and we’ll call you with a price.
START WITH WHAT MATTERS
Your work. Your kit. Your people.
You work around customers’ furniture, floors and buildings every day. Cover should reflect the surfaces, access equipment and materials you use, as well as the size of your team.
Tools & equipment
Sprayers, ladders and decorating equipment. Check replacement values, storage conditions and theft-from-vehicle restrictions. This is separate from simply insuring the van.
Explore this cover
Employers’ liability
Most employers must hold this cover, with limited exemptions. Describe your employees, apprentices and labour arrangements accurately.
Explore this coverCover depends on the policy you choose. Limits, excesses, conditions and exclusions apply.
THE DETAILS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
A good finish starts with the details.
Describe every part of your work, including the jobs you only take on occasionally.
- Interior painting, wallpapering and decorating
- Exterior work, ladders and access platforms
- Spraying, specialist coatings and industrial sites
Check damage-to-property conditions, working-height limits and whether spraying or specialist coatings are accepted activities.
LOOK BEYOND THE POLICY NAME
Make the small print work for you.
Insurance does not replace protecting surfaces or following safe working practices. The cost of correcting an unsatisfactory finish or defective work may not be insured.
What is not automatically covered?
Putting defective work right, wear and tear, deliberate damage and activities you have not declared can fall outside cover. Check the sections, exclusions and security conditions before you buy. Your own injury or inability to work may require separate protection.
COMPARE THE DETAIL, NOT JUST THE PRICE
What affects the cost of painters & decorators insurance?
The work you do
Interior or exterior jobs, spraying and working heights.
The people involved
Your team size, turnover and use of subcontractors.
The cover you choose
Liability limits, equipment values and any optional sections.
Your track record
Claims history, experience and the excess you select.
A lower price is only useful if the policy fits your work. Compare cover limits, excesses and exclusions together; there is no single price that suits every business.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
A few details.
A clearer starting point.
Tick off what you have to hand. Give accurate information and declare the full range of work you do.
Your trade.Your peace of mind.
STRAIGHT ANSWERS
Painters & decorators insurance FAQs
What insurance do painters & decorators need?
The right combination depends on your work, customers and team. Start with public liability, then consider tools, employers’ liability and any specialist cover. Check damage-to-property conditions, working-height limits and whether spraying or specialist coatings are accepted activities.
Is accidental paint damage covered?
Public liability may respond to a covered claim for accidental damage to someone else’s property. The circumstances and exclusions matter, including any restrictions on property being worked on. It is not a guarantee that every spill or overspray incident is insured.
Is exterior decorating included?
Declare exterior work and how you access it, including ladders, scaffolding or platforms. Check the policy’s height limits and any conditions for spraying or working at particular premises.
Are tools left in my van insured?
Not automatically. Tools cover may have vehicle-security requirements, overnight exclusions and single-item limits. A van insurance policy does not automatically insure the equipment inside it. Check both policies.
How much public liability cover should I choose?
Consider the potential size of a claim and any minimum required by a client, main contractor or site. Compare the available limits and exclusions rather than choosing purely on the cheapest premium.
Do I need employers’ liability if I work alone?
If you genuinely work alone with no employees, it may not be required. Taking on an apprentice, helper or labour-only subcontractor can change the position. Check how the law and the insurer treat your working arrangements.
Can I cover more than one trade?
Tell the insurer about every activity, including occasional jobs. Acceptance of one trade does not automatically cover another. Check the business description and let the insurer know before starting new types of work.
When can I get a quote?
Any time. Use the Get a quote button to answer a few quick questions about your trade, your team and the cover you need, and one of our team will call you back with a price. The checklist helps you have your business details, activities, tools values and claims history to hand for that call.
KEEP YOUR BUSINESS MOVING
A little more clarity.
YOUR WORKING VEHICLE
Cover for the van that gets you there.
LIABILITY LIMITSHow much cover should you consider?
YOUR EQUIPMENTUnderstand the details of tools cover.
Further reading: Employers’ liability requirements · ABI liability guide
BACK TO WHAT YOU DO BEST
A good finish starts with the details.
Know what to look for. Be ready for your next step.
Get a quoteGeneral information, not a personal recommendation. Cover is subject to eligibility and policy terms.