Painters and Decorators Insurance
Protect your painting and decorating business from accidental damage claims, tool theft and third-party injury with trade-specific cover.
Get in touchWhat is painters and decorators insurance?
Painters and decorators insurance is a package of cover designed to protect decorating professionals from the risks of working in clients' homes and commercial premises. It typically includes public liability, employers liability and tools cover.
Accidental spills, ladder injuries and damage to furnishings are everyday risks in the decorating trade. The right policy ensures these incidents do not result in costly out-of-pocket claims.
Find cover options from specialist insurers who cover painters and decorators specifically, so your premium reflects the lower-risk nature of decorating work rather than heavier construction trades.
Public Liability
Covers claims if you accidentally damage a client's property or a third party is injured.
Employers Liability
Required by law if you employ anyone, including apprentices.
Tools and Equipment
Covers replacement of brushes, rollers, spray equipment and access equipment.
Products Liability
Covers claims arising from products you supply, such as paints or wallpapers.
Who needs painters and decorators insurance?
Self-employed decorators
Working on domestic properties for private clients
Commercial painters
Painting offices, retail units and industrial buildings
Wallpapering specialists
Hanging specialist and designer wallpapers
Exterior painters
Working at height on external facades and surfaces
Spray painters
Using airless sprayers on large domestic or commercial jobs
Licensing and accreditation for painters and decorators
Painters and decorators are not required to hold a formal licence, and decorative work is largely unregulated. However, if you work on properties containing asbestos (common in older buildings), you may be subject to strict health and safety regulations. Work disturbing asbestos must comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which restricts who can carry it out and requires proper notification and specialist equipment.
Residential clients rarely require formal registration, but commercial clients and property developers often request public liability insurance certificates before allowing work to begin. Some larger contracts may require specific compliance statements or health and safety procedures.
Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement but is expected by most commercial clients and builders who engage painters as subcontractors. Many paint contracts, particularly on new builds and commercial projects, specify that the painter must carry cover.
Insurance protects you if your work causes damage to the property or injuries on site. If you regularly work on properties with asbestos or use spray application techniques, confirm your cover includes these activities, as some standard policies may exclude or limit them.
How much does painters and decorators insurance cost?
£120 – £300 per year for sole traders; painters with employees may pay £350 – £650
Real claims: what painters and decorators insurance covers
A painter accidentally damaged electrical wiring while hanging wallpaper in a residential property, causing a short circuit and minor property damage and exposing the customer to electrical shock risk.
Public liability covered the cost of rewiring work to make the property safe, compensation to the customer for the inconvenience and shock risk, and the insured's legal costs.
£6,800 total — £4,200 rewiring costs, £1,800 customer compensation, £800 legal fees
A painter's employee was exposed to high levels of solvent fumes while spray-painting indoors without proper ventilation, causing respiratory illness requiring ongoing medical treatment.
Employers liability covered the employee's compensation claim for occupational illness, medical treatment costs, and lost wages during recovery and rehabilitation.
£18,500 total — £12,000 illness compensation, £4,500 medical and rehabilitation costs, £2,000 legal fees
A painter's paint spill damaged a customer's hardwood floor, and the remedial restoration work was complex and expensive.
Public liability covered the cost of specialist floor restoration, polishing, and protective sealing to return the floor to its original condition.
£5,200 total — £4,800 floor restoration and refinishing, £400 for the insured's legal paperwork and documentation
WHY CECIL
Built differently.
Priced for decorators, not demolition
Painting and decorating is lower risk than many construction trades. Cecil finds insurers who price your cover accordingly, so you do not overpay.
Accidental damage covered properly
Spilling paint on a client's carpet is a real risk. We make sure your public liability policy covers accidental damage without restrictive exclusions.
Quick online comparison
Most decorators just want straightforward cover at a fair price. Get your options in minutes so you can get back to the job.
Flexible cover as you grow
Whether you work alone or employ a small team, Cecil finds policies that scale with your business without unnecessary extras.
Common questions about painters and decorators insurance
Do painters and decorators need insurance in the UK?
There is no legal requirement for self-employed painters and decorators to hold public liability insurance, but most clients expect it. If you employ anyone, employers liability insurance is a legal requirement with a minimum of £5m cover.
Do I need insurance to hang wallpaper?
If you are working in a client's property, public liability insurance is strongly recommended. Wallpapering carries risks such as damage to expensive surfaces, and a claim could be financially damaging without cover.
Does painters insurance cover working at height?
Most painters and decorators insurance policies cover working at height using ladders and scaffolding, provided you follow safe working practices. Some insurers may have restrictions on the maximum height.
Do I need special insurance if I work with lead paint in older properties?
If you work on pre-1992 properties in the UK, lead paint may be present. You must follow the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002. Confirm your insurance covers lead paint work — some policies exclude it or require specific precautions and certification.
Am I covered for spray-painting work?
Spray application techniques carry fire and health risks. Some policies exclude spray work or require specific endorsements. If you use spray equipment regularly, declare this when you quote and confirm cover is included.
Does public liability cover damage if I accidentally damage the customer's fixtures, fittings, or furniture?
Yes, public liability covers accidental damage caused while you are working, including harm to fixtures, furniture, and stored items. Confirm your policy includes 'accidental damage' cover and check the limit is adequate for high-value properties.
What if I work in a property with asbestos?
Many policies exclude asbestos-related work due to strict legal regulations. If you regularly work in older buildings, you may need specialist asbestos-aware cover or a specific endorsement. Never disturb asbestos without proper certification and notification.
Do I need to tell my insurer about subcontractors who work alongside me?
If you engage other trades (plasterers, electricians, etc.) to work on the same site, inform your insurer. Your policy typically covers your own employees and labour-only subcontractors under your supervision, but specialist subcontractors may need their own cover.
Interested in Painters and Decorators insurance?
We will be in contact when Cecil launches.