--- title: Painter Insurance | Get a Quote | PJ&C Insurance description: Get a quote on painter insurance with PJ&C Insurance. Explore our tailored insurance options for businesses in AL, GA, MS, NC, SC, LA, TN, KY, FL, TX, NV, CA, CO, KS, OH, and DC today. --- Paint finishes aren’t the only thing that should be smooth. With over 50 years in the industry and access to 60+ trusted carriers, Pepper, Johnstone & Company helps painting businesses protect their operations with custom coverage built for residential and commercial work. # Comprehensive Painter Insurance from Pepper, Johnstone & Company Whether you're restoring historic exteriors or finishing commercial interiors, running a painting business means managing risk at every job. From ladder falls to overspray claims, even a small error can become a major liability. Painters see the big picture—your insurance agent should, too. At [Pepper, Johnstone & Company](https://www.pjcoinsurance.com/about), we create insurance programs tailored to the realities that painting contractors face every day. With access to more than 60 insurance companies, we help you find the right painting contractor insurance to protect your business from job site hazards, claims, and costly delays. ### Get a free painting business insurance quote We’ll help you compare options and build a policy that protects your projects and your profits. [GET A QUOTE](/insurance/specialty/painter-insurance/quote) [GET SERVICE](/claims-services) * * * ## **Essential Coverage Options for Painting Contractors** Residential and commercial painters alike benefit from a multi-policy approach that includes: Your business insurance cost can vary based on the services you offer, the value of your business property, your employee count, and the policy limits and deductibles you choose. ### [**General Liability Insurance**](https://www.pjcoinsurance.com/insurance/business/commercial-liability-insurance) This foundational painting insurance coverage provides general liability coverage and protects against third-party bodily injury or property damage claims, including everyday issues like paint spills on a client’s floors, overspraying a nearby vehicle, or customer injuries tied to a jobsite incident. For many contractors, painter liability insurance is essential because these claims can quickly lead to legal and medical expenses. The average painters' insurance cost for this coverage is about $59 per month, or $704 per year. Coverage limits determine how much the policy pays on a covered claim and can also affect overall insurance cost. ### [**Workers’ Compensation Insurance**](https://www.pjcoinsurance.com/insurance/business/workers-comp-insurance) Workers’ comp provides workers' compensation coverage for a work-related injury or workplace injury, helping pay medical costs, medical expenses, lost wages, and physical therapy after incidents like ladder falls or fume exposure. It’s required in most states and becomes especially important once you hire employees. The average cost is about $239 per month, or $2,871 annually. ### [**Commercial Property Insurance**](https://www.pjcoinsurance.com/insurance/business/commercial-property-insurance) Protects your office, specified storage areas, and business-owned items like scaffolding, sprayers, and finishing materials as covered business property. For eligible painting businesses, a business owner's policy can bundle this coverage with general liability at a lower cost. ### [**Commercial Umbrella Insurance**](https://www.pjcoinsurance.com/insurance/business/commercial-umbrella-insurance) Provides an extra layer of liability protection if a claim exceeds the policy limits in your underlying insurance policy, giving you added liability coverage beyond your general liability or workers’ comp policies when needed. ### [**Commercial Auto Insurance**](https://www.pjcoinsurance.com/insurance/business/commercial-auto-insurance) Covers work vehicles used to transport equipment and crew for business purposes. A commercial auto policy helps cover third-party injury and property damage claims involving company vehicles. It includes liability and physical damage coverage for the vehicle and any permanently attached equipment. Painting businesses typically pay about $139 per month, or $1,673 per year, for this coverage. ### [**Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)**](https://www.pjcoinsurance.com/insurance/business/employment-practices-liability-insurance) Covers claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, or wage disputes from current or former employees. ### [**Fiduciary Liability Insurance**](https://www.pjcoinsurance.com/insurance/business/fiduciary-liability-insurance) Protects your painting business from claims related to the mismanagement of benefit or retirement plans. ### [**Crime Insurance**](https://www.pjcoinsurance.com/insurance/business/business-insurance) Covers internal theft, fraud, or dishonest acts committed by employees. #### **Money-Saving Tip** Bundling general liability, inland marine, and commercial auto policies may qualify you for discounts. Let us find the most cost-effective option for your painting company. #### **Coverage Tip** Don’t assume general liability covers everything. It won’t pay for stolen tools, injured employees, or damaged equipment. For painters, layered protection is essential. #### Money-Saving Tip Bundling general liability, inland marine, and commercial auto policies may qualify you for discounts. Let us find the most cost-effective option for your painting company. #### Coverage Tip Don’t assume general liability covers everything. It won’t pay for stolen tools, injured employees, or damaged equipment. For painters, layered protection is essential. * * * ## **Specialized Insurance Coverage for Painting Jobs** Painting contractors often work on the move and store tools in vehicles or temporary locations. The **right coverage** depends on the kind of jobs you take and where tools and materials are kept. These policies help fill common gaps: ### [**Builders’ Risk Insurance**](https://www.pjcoinsurance.com/insurance/business/builders-risk-insurance) Builders’ risk insurance covers materials and in-progress painting work during construction or renovation. It helps protect against weather damage, theft, and jobsite vandalism before the project is complete. ### [**Inland Marine Insurance**](https://www.pjcoinsurance.com/blog/what-is-inland-marine-insurance) Inland marine insurance, often called contractor's tools and equipment insurance, provides equipment insurance and equipment coverage for sprayers, ladders, pressure washers, and other tools against theft or damage while in transit, at job sites, or stored off-site, including in your work vehicles. This fills a critical gap not covered by standard commercial auto policies. ### [**Surety Bonds**](https://www.pjcoinsurance.com/insurance/business/bonds) Surety bonds provide financial assurance that your painting company will meet contract requirements. These are often required for commercial bids or municipal jobs, and commercial painting clients and general contractors often require proof of insurance before allowing work to begin or access to a job site. If a contractor's license or contract requires coverage, a certificate of insurance from your insurance company can help prevent delays. ## **Protect More Than Just the Job Site** Painting contractors have to juggle more than rollers and brushes. Choosing the right insurance often starts with sharing details like business revenue, services, vehicles, and staff so your agent can recommend the right coverage. That review also helps match small business insurance needs as a painting company grows. That’s why we help businesses plan for risks like: - Stolen gear from parked vans - Cyber threats targeting scheduling or billing systems - Slip-and-fall accidents inside client homes or businesses - Lawsuits from subcontractor disputes - Delays caused by damaged paint inventory Pepper, Johnstone & Company helps you stay protected from the jobsite to the office, no matter how your painting business grows. ## **Why Choose Pepper, Johnstone & Company** As an independent insurance agency, we’re not locked into one carrier. Instead, we compare insurance quotes from over 60 top-rated insurance companies to help you save money and find the best painting business insurance for your needs. More than that, we act as your risk management partner. We understand how to obtain liability insurance if you’re a painter and how to structure liability insurance for painters to meet licensing and project requirements with the right insurance policy for your operations and chosen coverage limits—without paying for coverage you don’t need. That can include professional liability insurance, sometimes called omissions insurance, which protects painters from claims involving mistakes or oversights in their work, including legal fees, legal defense, and related financial losses. ## Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance for Painting Businesses What small business owners need to know ### What kind of insurance does a painting business need? Most painters need general liability, workers’ comp, inland marine, and commercial auto insurance. Depending on the size and scope of your projects, you may also need builders’ risk, umbrella, and surety bonds. We’ll help you build the right coverage plan. ### How can I obtain liability insurance if I’m a painter? It’s easy with an independent agency like Pepper, Johnstone & Company. We’ll review your operations and compare quotes across dozens of carriers to find the most affordable and effective painting contractor insurance for your business. ### Does painting insurance cover accidental overspray or spills? Yes, if you have general liability coverages. These coverages can help pay for damage caused by overspray, drips, or accidental spills that affect third-party property. This includes paint that unintentionally lands on a neighboring structure, parked vehicles, or landscaping, which can result in costly claims. At Pepper, Johnstone & Company, we can help you review your policy details to confirm the types of accidents your coverage includes. ### How much does painting business insurance cost? Premiums vary depending on your business size, crew count, annual revenue, and past claims. A small residential painter may pay under $150/month, while larger operations with crews and vehicles will have more robust insurance requirements. We provide painting business insurance quotes tailored to your needs. ### Are my tools covered if stolen from a work truck? Not under standard commercial auto insurance or commercial property insurance policies. You’ll need inland marine insurance, sometimes referred to as tools and equipment insurance, to protect your sprayers, ladders, and tools while in transit or stored in vehicles. ### Do painting contractors need a surety bond? Yes, if you’re bidding on public jobs or commercial contracts. Surety bonds demonstrate that your business can meet its contractual obligations and are often required to pull permits or win larger bids. ## What do people think about us? We’re trusted by painters who bring color and quality to every job. ![Russ L.](https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/fab11678-4400-4e7b-9d4a-2a2f81685a28/images/avatars/man-1.26763a560ec8c33e538d9a14d02e9af37b878ed2735807d5bbca818b43fecadb.webp) on Google I started a company in January 2019 & the team at Pepper Johnstone helped me from the beginning. We serve mid-cap to large public companies in Alabama, Colorado and Texas. And, Bryan has been critical in helping us meet and maintain the required commercial insurance policies and coverage levels. Key reasons that I've been so pleased primarily include their high level of technical competence and timely responsiveness on new or changing insurance coverage requests. They do a great job & I can highly recommend them. **— Russ L.** ![Lauren M.](https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/fab11678-4400-4e7b-9d4a-2a2f81685a28/images/avatars/woman-1.9cb73af9c1e3961f57515ecda4c9f4e639df0eff922a19dccb73c30bfe4385f4.webp) on Google We are very pleased with our services that Pepper, Johnstone and Company provide for us! Both with business and personal needs, we feel like we are receiving excellent resources. We truly would not trust anyone else for our insurance needs! **— Lauren M.** ![Kevin G.](https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/fab11678-4400-4e7b-9d4a-2a2f81685a28/images/avatars/man-2.f0d626a1e52b3f01c2be3c90db4d5d367c60b36ac6f55c3a5fecdb9bccc5bd8b.webp) on Google Thankful for the opportunity to work with Pepper, Johnston’s and Co. They helped us add basic insurance needs for our newly formed LLC. The responsiveness, willingness to answer numerous questions, and guide us through multiple options was greatly appreciated. I’d like to especially thank Meredith Baswell of their staff who helped us through the process. I’d recommend you seek their advice and input on commercial and personal insurance options. **— Kevin G.** ![Laura D.](https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/fab11678-4400-4e7b-9d4a-2a2f81685a28/images/avatars/woman-2.8e76c5af7c1582529e66148a1be8aa0a919754e1706a80af3031e295450f4db1.webp) on Google This is the best insurance agency hands down. We have our home, car, and business insurance through them. Julie has always gone above and beyond to help us. We wouldn’t use anyone else. **— Laura D.** ![Jeremiah H.](https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/fab11678-4400-4e7b-9d4a-2a2f81685a28/images/avatars/man-3.b43c3cdfeb80d6382a553b4fec3a455754692db1f101fb39711934fad717fb96.webp) on Google Pepper Johnstone has handled my personal and business insurance needs for years. They do good work and their staff is amazing! They are independent agents so they have access to several different lines of insurance to meet the needs of their clients. I highly recommend them. **— Jeremiah H.** ![Troy R.](https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/fab11678-4400-4e7b-9d4a-2a2f81685a28/images/avatars/man-4.94ddcfa4b7f8890cecb0d95c8670e5c7cc87e4f24ba2d9c234739fec89ddd1b3.webp) on Google Pepper, Johnstone is a very professional and responsive insurance company. They were able to assist me with a full suite insurance solution very promptly and at a great value. Most importantly, I felt completely comfortable that I was being handled by true professionals. Bryan Johnstone is great at his job and I would recommend him highly to anyone who needs insurance advice for themselves or their business. **— Troy R.** [MORE REVIEWS](/about/client-testimonials) ## Insurance Articles from the Pepper, Johnstone & Company blog [**SaaS Company Insurance: What a BOP Won't Cover** — A SaaS company can sign its first enterprise contract, close a seed round and onboard a dozen employees before anyone asks whether the insurance program actually matches the exposure. — A Business Owner’s Policy covers a slip-and-fall here, a damaged server there. It does _not_ cover a client lawsuit…](/blog/saas-company-insurance-what-a-bop-wont-cover) [**Professional Liability Insurance for Consultants & Accountants** — A client hires you for your expertise. You deliver the work, but they lose money anyway—and decide you are responsible. That scenario plays out thousands of times a year across professional services, and the costs are significant. — According to Swiss Re's 2024 Sigma report, U.S. liability claims…](/blog/professional-liability-insurance-what-consultants-accountants-need) [**General Contractor Insurance: A Complete Coverage Guide** — In 2019, a summer storm sent a construction crane crashing through an apartment building in Dallas, killing a 29-year-old woman sitting on her couch. Four years later, a jury found the developer negligent and awarded her family more than $860 million. The crane operator walked free. — Most people…](/blog/general-contractor-insurance-a-complete-coverage-guide) [View all articles](/blog) ## Related Industries We Cover [**— Drywall Installers —** - For finishers & framing crews](/insurance/specialty/drywall-contractor-insurance) [**— Tile Installers —** - For flooring & wet-area specialists](/insurance/specialty/tile-contractor-insurance) [**— Roofers —** - For residential & commercial roofing professionals](/insurance/specialty/roofer-insurance) [**— Residential General Contractors —** - For builders managing all trades](/insurance/specialty/residential-general-contractor-insurance) ## Let’s Build Your Painting Contractor Insurance Plan Get the coverage your business needs—and none you don’t. Call Pepper, Johnstone & Company at [866-865-3499](tel:+1-866-865-3499) or [request a quote online](/insurance/specialty/painter-insurance/quote) to explore painting company insurance options that match your budget and your goals. ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What kind of insurance does a painting business need?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Most painters need general liability, workers’ comp, inland marine, and commercial auto insurance. Depending on the size and scope of your projects, you may also need builders’ risk, umbrella, and surety bonds. We’ll help you build the right coverage plan."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How can I obtain liability insurance if I’m a painter?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It’s easy with an independent agency like Pepper, Johnstone & Company. 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