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PAINTER AND DECORATOR INSURANCE
Last updated: 04/02/2026
Working indoors and out, transforming properties with a fresh coat of paint with that professional finish - being a painter or decorator has its rewards. But whether you’re working in a customer’s home, a commercial building or on a renovation project, the job comes with its risks.
From working at height on ladders, to handling paints, solvents and specialist equipment, accidents and damage can happen more easily than many people realise. That’s why having the right Painters and Decorators Insurance in place is essential for protecting both you and your business.
What is Painters and Decorators Insurance?
Painters and Decorators Insurance is designed to support those carrying out painting and decorating work across residential and commercial properties. It helps protect your business financially if an incident occurs - whether that’s accidental damage to a customer’s property or an injury to a third party.
Rhino lets you build cover around how you actually work. Instead of a fixed package, you can select the policies that reflect your risks - whether you’re working alone, managing employees, or completing larger contracts. Cover options range from protection against accidental damage and professional errors, to tool theft, legal disputes, injury, illness and defence against HMRC enquiries.
Public Liability Insurance - Helps cover claims for third-party injury or damage to property caused by your work.
Employers’ Liability Insurance - Provides protection if an employee becomes injured or ill as a result of working for you, and for any claims of professional negligence made by your employees against your business.
Professional Indemnity Insurance - Covers claims in which a client alleges that your advice, specifications, or professional design input caused financial loss.
Tools Insurance - Helps cover the cost of replacing tools if they’re stolen, lost, or damaged whilst stored in your vehicle.
Legal Expenses Insurance - Supports your business with legal costs relating to health and safety prosecutions, employment issues, and debt recovery for non-paying customers.
Tax Enquiry Insurance - Offers professional support if your business is investigated by HMRC.
Personal Accident Insurance - Provides a tax-free lump sum if you’re injured as a result of an accident and unable to work.
Income Protection Insurance - Pays regular tax-free monthly benefits if illness or injury prevents you from working.
Gadget Insurance - Covers essential devices such as smartphones and tablets.
How much is Painters and Decorators Insurance?
Painters and Decorators Public Liability Insurance with Rhino starts from £101.92 per year / £8.49 per month, based on £1 million of cover. This starting price can vary depending on:
The type of decorating work you carry out, such as spray painting or the use of heat
Your business turnover
Whether you employ staff
The level of cover you select
Public Liability Insurance forms the core of most policies, meaning additional covers are usually added alongside it. For example, Tools Insurance must be purchased alongside a live Public Liability Insurance policy and is not offered as a standalone product. The only exceptions to this are Income Protection and Personal Accident Insurance, which can be taken out separately.
Why do I need Painters & Decorators Insurance?
Insurance helps protect both your livelihood and your reputation if something doesn’t go to plan, and working for yourself or running a small business is enough without the potential for major setbacks. Accidents, property damage and even HMRC can come knocking, causing additional stress when you least need it. Fortunately, with the right cover in place, you can protect your business from additional headaches.
The main advantages include:
Building customer confidence
Being properly insured reassures customers that you take your work seriously and that they won’t be left out of pocket if an accident happens.
Financial reassurance
Unexpected incidents can be expensive. Insurance helps prevent one mistake from becoming a major financial setback.
Contract eligibility
Many commercial clients, landlords and contractors require proof of insurance - often with minimum cover levels - before allowing work to begin.
What insurance do Painters & Decorators need?
The right insurance depends on how and where you work, but most painters and decorators will benefit from the following core covers:
Public Liability Insurance – core policy for third-party injury or property damage.
Employers’ Liability Insurance – legally required if you employ staff; covers claims made against your business by an employee.
Personal Accident Insurance – pays out if you’re injured from an accident and unable to work.
Income Protection Insurance – provides regular payments if you cannot work due to illness or injury.
Tools in Transit Insurance – protects tools up to £7,500 if lost, stolen or damaged whilst they are stored in your vehicle. Read our Ultimate Guide to Tool Insurance here.
What doesn't Painters and Decorators Insurance cover?
While cover is extensive, it doesn’t apply to every scenario. Common exclusions include:
Intentional or reckless acts
Faulty workmanship or poor-quality materials
Gradual wear and tear
Work outside your declared trade
Claims linked to uninsured activities
The Policy Wording should always be checked to understand the full scope of cover.
How much cover do Painters and Decorators need?
Rhino offers Public Liability limits ranging from £1 million to £5 million.
Smaller domestic jobs may only require £1 million of cover, while commercial or higher-value contracts often specify £2 million or more.
Public Liability Insurance operates on a per-claim basis, meaning a claim doesn’t reduce your overall annual limit. If you’re unsure which level suits your work, give our team a call on 0116 243 7904.
Painting and Decoration Insurance Claims Examples
Damage to a customer’s property
You’re carrying out an interior painting job in a customer’s home, redecorating their living room and hallway. While moving equipment to access the upper walls, you accidentally knock over a large tin of paint. The paint spills across newly installed wooden flooring and splashes onto nearby furniture and skirting boards.
The damage is significant. The flooring needs professional cleaning and partial replacement, and the customer is unable to use the room while repairs are arranged. Frustrated by the disruption and costs, the customer makes a claim against your business to recover the costs of repairs and replacements.
Without Public Liability Insurance, you would be personally responsible for covering the cost of the damaged flooring, furniture, any professional cleaning, and potentially the customer’s legal costs. These expenses could quickly run into thousands of pounds.
Because you have Public Liability Insurance in place, the insurer handles the claim on your behalf and covers the cost of the damage (subject to policy terms). This protects your finances, helps resolve the situation quickly, and allows you to maintain a professional relationship with your customer.
Injury to yourself
You’re working on a redecoration project in a residential property, painting a stairwell and upper landing. While repositioning your ladder to continue work at height, it becomes unstable and you fall awkwardly, landing heavily on your ankle.
The fall results in a serious injury that requires hospital treatment and follow-up physiotherapy. Your doctor advises that you’re unable to work for several months while you recover. During this time, you’re forced to cancel upcoming jobs and have no income coming into your business, while everyday costs such as rent or mortgage payments, vehicle expenses and household bills continue.
Because you’ve taken out Personal Accident Insurance, you receive a tax-free lump sum payment, helping to cover immediate financial pressures following the injury. In addition, your Income Protection Insurance provides regular tax-free monthly payments, replacing a portion of your usual income while you’re unable to work.
Without this cover in place, the injury could leave you under significant financial strain. With Personal Accident and Income Protection Insurance, you’re able to focus on your recovery, knowing your income and essential expenses are supported until you’re fit to return to work.
How long does it take to get Painters and Decorators Insurance?
Rhino’s online quote system can generate a price in under 30 seconds. Once your details are confirmed and payment is made, cover can begin on the same day, with documents sent straight to your email.
If you’d prefer to speak to someone, our team are available to help you through the process on 0116 243 7904.
Painters and Decorators Insurance FAQs
Painters and decorators are not legally required to have insurance in all cases. However, Employers’ Liability Insurance is a legal requirement if you employ anyone, even temporarily. Public Liability Insurance isn’t compulsory by law, but it’s often expected by customers, landlords and contractors.
Most self-employed painters and decorators should have Public Liability Insurance as a minimum. Depending on how you work, you may also need Tools Insurance, Professional Indemnity Insurance, or personal cover such as Personal Accident or Income Protection Insurance.
Yes. Public Liability Insurance can cover accidental damage to a customer’s property, such as spilled paint, damaged flooring or splashes on fixtures, subject to policy terms and limits.
Public Liability Insurance doesn’t cover injuries to yourself. However, Personal Accident Insurance can provide a tax-free lump sum, and Income Protection Insurance can provide regular monthly payments if you’re unable to work due to injury or illness.
Yes. Employers’ Liability Insurance is legally required if you employ anyone, including casual labourers, apprentices or people on work experience.
Tools Insurance can cover tools stolen from your vehicle, including overnight, provided security conditions are met. Always check your policy wording to understand the specific requirements.
Yes. Rhino allows multiple trades to be listed on one policy. Please note that adding higher-risk trades may affect your premium.
Insurance typically won’t cover poor workmanship, wear and tear, deliberate damage, work outside your declared trade or uninsured activities. Always refer to your policy documents for full details.
Rhino offers Public Liability cover from £1 million to £5 million. Many domestic jobs may only require £1 million, while commercial clients often require £2 million or more.
Yes. Rhino offers mid-term adjustments, allowing you to update your cover as your business changes.
There are no administrative fees associated with this, so you only pay for the cover you need.
Annual payments don’t incur an administration fee. Monthly payments include an admin fee starting from £3.00 per month.
You can get a quote online in under 30 seconds. Once payment is made, your cover can start immediately and your documents will be sent straight to your email.
Yes. If you’re unsure what cover you need, Rhino’s team can talk through your work and recommend suitable options. You can call 0116 243 7904 to speak with an adviser.
