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?
Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement for self-employed painters and decorators in the UK, but most domestic and commercial clients require it before allowing work to begin. Employers liability insurance is a legal requirement under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 if you employ anyone, including apprentices, with a minimum cover of £5 million. Even solo decorators benefit from public liability: accidental spills, damage to fixtures, and client claims for poor work can be financially devastating without cover. When quoting to clients, mention that you carry public liability insurance—it builds trust and often justifies higher rates. Check your policy wording to confirm coverage includes accidental damage and third-party injury, as some basic policies exclude these. Speak to an FCA-authorised broker to find cover tailored to painting and decorating work.
Do I need insurance to hang wallpaper?
If you work in clients' properties hanging wallpaper, public liability insurance is strongly recommended even if not legally required. Wallpapering carries significant risks: damage to expensive surfaces such as fitted wardrobes, plasterwork, or painted finishes; incorrect adhesive application leading to peeling or mould growth; or staining of fixtures and fittings during the process. A single claim for damage to hand-painted or bespoke wallpaper could easily exceed £5,000 without cover. Under public liability, accidental damage during installation—such as tearing an existing surface while preparing walls or dropping tools—is typically covered if the policy includes 'accidental damage' endorsement. Many clients ask to see your certificate of insurance before you start, and insurers who specialise in decorating trades understand wallpapering risks well. Confirm coverage applies when working with adhesives and specialist materials.
Does painters insurance cover working at height?
Most painters and decorators insurance policies cover working at height using ladders, step-ladders, and portable scaffolding, provided you follow safe working practices in line with the Work at Height Regulations 2005. However, some insurers impose restrictions: they may limit cover to work under a certain height (commonly 5 metres) or require specific training in access equipment. If you regularly work at significant heights—such as exterior painting of multi-storey buildings or commercial façade work—confirm your insurer covers your working methods in writing before work begins. Some policies exclude or require additional endorsements for rope access work or powered access platforms. Your insurer expects compliance with Health and Safety Executive guidance on safe working at height, including risk assessments, equipment inspection, and appropriate fall protection. Document your safety procedures and discuss work scope with your chosen insurer to avoid claim disputes later.
Do I need special insurance if I work with lead paint in older properties?
If you work on properties built before 1992 in the UK, lead paint may be present under later decorative coatings. You must follow the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002, which set strict requirements for identifying, containing, and removing lead-based paints to prevent occupational exposure. Many standard painters insurance policies exclude or limit cover for lead paint work due to the specialised health and safety requirements and potential liability exposure. Before accepting work on pre-1992 properties, confirm your policy explicitly covers lead paint removal and disturbance, including any precautions such as wet-cutting, HEPA filtration, or qualified operatives. You may need to obtain specialist lead-aware endorsement or work with an insurer specialising in heritage or remedial painting. Keep detailed records of properties where you've worked on lead paint to support any future claims. Never disturb lead paint without proper certification and safety procedures—the legal and insurance implications are significant.
Am I covered for spray-painting work?
Spray application techniques carry fire, health, and environmental hazards that many standard painters insurance policies treat as higher-risk activities. Spray painting can be excluded entirely from standard cover, or insurers may require specific endorsements, additional training certification, or compliance with fire safety regulations. If you use airless sprayers, HVLP equipment, or other spray methods regularly, you must declare this activity when requesting a quote—withholding information about spray work could invalidate claims. When choosing an insurer, confirm in writing that spray application methods you plan to use are explicitly included in the policy. Insurers may require evidence of Entrust or equivalent certification for spray operatives if you employ them. Your premises must also meet fire safety standards if you store flammable paint and spraying equipment. If spray work is core to your business, seek an insurer who specialises in spray finishing rather than settling for limited endorsements on a basic painters policy.
Does public liability cover damage if I accidentally damage the customer's fixtures, fittings, or furniture?
Yes, public liability insurance covers accidental damage caused while you are working, including harm to the customer's fixtures, fittings, furniture, and stored items, provided your policy includes 'accidental damage' as a standard cover or optional endorsement. This is critical for decorators: spilling paint on a fitted wardrobe, damaging a radiator valve while preparing walls, or scuffing expensive furniture are common scenarios. When reviewing policy documents, confirm the accidental damage limit is adequate for the properties you work in—high-value homes may contain items worth far more than standard limits. Some policies impose excess amounts for accidental damage claims (often £250–£500 per claim), which should be factored into quotes. Before starting work, document the condition of the property with photos and notify the customer of any pre-existing damage. If damage does occur, notify your insurer and the customer immediately, and preserve evidence. Speak to your chosen insurer about coverage limits for high-value properties to avoid underinsurance.
What if I work in a property with asbestos?
Many standard painters and decorators policies exclude asbestos-related work entirely due to strict legal regulations and long-term health liability. If you work on pre-1980s buildings, asbestos may be present in wall coatings, ceiling materials, floor tiles, or pipe insulation. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, disturbing asbestos-containing materials is a serious breach unless carried out by a licenced contractor with proper containment and disposal procedures. You must never sand, scrape, or drill surfaces suspected of containing asbestos. Before accepting work on older properties, ask the customer to provide an asbestos survey or confirm no asbestos is present. If asbestos is discovered during work, stop immediately and notify the customer and your insurer in writing. You may need specialist asbestos-aware cover or referral to a licenced asbestos contractor. Insurance for painters and decorators who regularly encounter older buildings should include asbestos notification cover. Protecting yourself legally and financially means understanding the rules and carrying appropriate cover.
Do I need to tell my insurer about subcontractors who work alongside me?
Yes, if you engage other trades—such as plasterers, electricians, or builders—to work on the same site under your management or supervision, inform your insurer before work begins. Your policy typically covers your own employees and labour-only subcontractors (general labourers) working directly under your supervision. However, specialist subcontractors who are responsible for their own work and safety decisions should carry their own public liability insurance. When notifying your insurer, provide details of what work the subcontractor will do and confirm their insurance coverage. Some policies automatically extend cover to supervising subcontractors, while others require specific endorsements or may exclude claims arising from subcontractor work. If a subcontractor causes damage on site, determining liability becomes complex—your insurer and the subcontractor's insurer may dispute which policy applies. Obtain written confirmation from both insurers before work starts that subcontractors are covered. This protects you if something goes wrong: clarify roles and insurance responsibilities in your contract with the subcontractor.
Interested in Painters and Decorators insurance?
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