Core coverages in this program
- •General Liability with completed operations
- •Tools & Equipment (sprayers, ladders, lifts)
- •Workers' Compensation
- •Commercial Auto & Hired/Non-Owned Auto
- •Contractor License Bond
- •Commercial Umbrella
Overspray is the signature painting claim
Spraying an exterior on a breezy day can film dozens of vehicles, a neighbor's siding, and a parking structure. Many general liability policies exclude or sublimit damage caused by overspray, and cheap online policies often exclude spray application entirely. Disclose the percentage of work you spray versus brush and roll, and confirm the policy does not carry a spray exclusion before you bind.
What painting contractor insurance costs
Residential repaint work is the least expensive; commercial, industrial coatings, and high-rise exterior work cost significantly more, largely because of height and workers' comp rates.
| Coverage | Typical annual premium | Rating basis |
|---|---|---|
| General liability $1M/$2M | $1,100–$3,000 | Revenue, spray %, height |
| Workers' compensation | $6.00–$14.00 per $100 payroll | Class code 5474, experience mod |
| Tools & equipment $10K–$25K | $300–$650 | Limit, sprayer values |
| Commercial auto per vehicle | $1,600–$3,200 | Vehicle type, MVRs |
Need a COI for a contract?
Send us the contract's insurance requirements and we'll tell you exactly what coverage satisfies them — existing clients get same-day certificates.
Height, lifts, and the exclusions to watch
Underwriters ask how high you work. Many standard markets restrict coverage above two or three stories, and scaffolding, boom lifts, and swing stages usually require specific disclosure. Interior-only or two-story-and-below operations get the best pricing; if you take occasional high work, tell your broker rather than discovering a height exclusion after a fall.
Lead-safe work, subs, and audits
Pre-1978 residential and child-occupied facilities fall under EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, and pollution or lead exclusions can apply to those jobs. If you use 1099 crews, collect certificates from each one — uninsured subcontractor payments are re-rated as your payroll at the general liability and workers' comp audit, which routinely turns a competitive quote into an expensive year.
Ready for a benchmarked quote?
A KTL specialist will shop your risk across multiple A-rated markets within one business day.