INSURANCE GUIDE
Painter and Decorator Insurance UK
Public liability, tool cover, and employers liability for UK painting and decorating contractors.
TL;DR
- Public liability is not legally required but essential for domestic and commercial decorating work.
- Paint spills and damage to client property are among the most common claims against decorators.
- Employers liability is legally required if you have any staff or labour-only subcontractors.
- Scaffold and working-at-height activities may be excluded or sub-limited in some policies.
Public Liability Insurance for Painters and Decorators
Public liability insurance covers compensation and legal costs if your decorating work causes injury to a third party or damage to a client's property. For painters and decorators, common claim types include: paint drips or spills damaging carpets, flooring, or furniture; a pot of paint tipped over on expensive soft furnishings; a client or passerby injured by a ladder or scaffold board; and damage to adjacent surfaces or fixtures during preparation work.
Cover limits of £1m, £2m, and £5m are standard. Most domestic clients do not specify a minimum, but many letting agents, estate management companies, and commercial clients require £2m or £5m as a condition of engagement.
Working at Height and Scaffold Cover
Decorators frequently work at height - on ladders, scaffold towers, and access platforms. Most standard tradesman public liability policies cover this, but some have exclusions or sub-limits for work above a specified height (often 3m or 10m). If you regularly work on external elevations, high ceilings, or use scaffold, confirm your policy does not restrict working-at-height activities before taking on the job.
Tool and Equipment Insurance
Painters and decorators carry significant equipment - spray guns, scaffolding poles, power sanders, ladders - that is not covered under public liability. Tool insurance covers theft, loss, and accidental damage to your own equipment. Spray equipment and powered access platforms are typically the highest-value items and should be specified individually if they exceed the policy's per-item limit.
Employers Liability
If you employ anyone on a PAYE basis, or regularly engage labour-only subcontractors who work under your direction on site, you are legally required to hold employers liability insurance of at least £5m under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. Certificates must be available for inspection by employees and the HSE.
Contract Works Cover for Decorators
Contract works insurance covers work in progress if it is damaged before completion - a newly decorated room damaged by a subsequent tradesperson's water leak, for example. Standard public liability does not cover this; the damage is to your own work-in-progress, not a third party's property. On larger commercial or multi-stage projects, contract works cover may be worth considering.
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Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. Kaeltripton.com is not regulated by the FCA. Always read policy documents in full before purchasing cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do painters and decorators need public liability insurance?
It is not a legal requirement but is effectively essential for most commercial and domestic work. Letting agents, property management companies, and commercial clients routinely require evidence of current cover. Without it, you are personally liable for any claims arising from your work, including paint damage to client property.
Does painter and decorator insurance cover paint spills on client property?
Yes, accidental damage to a client's property - including paint spills on carpets, floors, and furniture - is a standard covered event under a decorator's public liability policy, subject to the policy excess and terms. Deliberate acts and poor workmanship are excluded, but genuine accidents during the course of the job are covered.
How much does painter and decorator insurance cost?
Sole trader decorators typically pay in the range of £70-200 per year for £1m of public liability cover, depending on turnover, trade activities, and claim history. Policies that include tool cover and employers liability within a combined package will cost more. Decorators who also carry out preparation work involving chemicals or work at significant height may face higher premiums.
