Painting business insurance averages $140 monthly, with costs ranging from $121 to $245 across coverage types and states.
Get matched with cheap painting business insurance below.
Updated: November 20, 2025
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Painting business insurance costs range from $1,456 to $2,940 annually on average, depending on your coverage type, state and sub-industry.
Your painting insurance premiums depend on location, claims history, services provided and employee count.
Shop multiple business insurers, bundle policies, increase deductibles and pay annually to find affordable painting business insurance costs.
Average business insurance costs for painting companies vary by coverage type:
| BOP | $211 | $2,536 |
| General Liability | $144 | $1,733 |
| Professional Liability (E&O) | $64 | $765 |
| Workers' Comp | $140 | $1,686 |
*We based these rates on small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries, focusing on four coverage types: general liability, professional liability/errors and omissions (E&O), workers' comp and business owner's policy. Your actual rates will vary based on your business factors and location.
Select your industry and state to get a customized quote.
General liability coverage for painting businesses costs $144 monthly on average nationwide. Maine painting contractors pay $125, while New York rates reach $168.
| Alabama | $141 | $1,693 |
| Alaska | $128 | $1,536 |
| Arizona | $137 | $1,639 |
| Arkansas | $139 | $1,663 |
| California | $161 | $1,932 |
| Colorado | $143 | $1,719 |
| Connecticut | $157 | $1,884 |
| Delaware | $155 | $1,855 |
| Florida | $156 | $1,877 |
| Georgia | $147 | $1,761 |
| Hawaii | $156 | $1,871 |
| Idaho | $137 | $1,644 |
| Illinois | $159 | $1,903 |
| Indiana | $141 | $1,691 |
| Iowa | $138 | $1,651 |
| Kansas | $140 | $1,684 |
| Kentucky | $134 | $1,606 |
| Louisiana | $165 | $1,981 |
| Maine | $125 | $1,502 |
| Maryland | $138 | $1,654 |
| Massachusetts | $152 | $1,819 |
| Michigan | $137 | $1,642 |
| Minnesota | $136 | $1,626 |
| Mississippi | $145 | $1,742 |
| Missouri | $142 | $1,707 |
| Montana | $144 | $1,726 |
| Nebraska | $137 | $1,640 |
| Nevada | $163 | $1,961 |
| New Hampshire | $144 | $1,725 |
| New Jersey | $164 | $1,965 |
| New Mexico | $145 | $1,744 |
| New York | $168 | $2,017 |
| North Carolina | $125 | $1,502 |
| North Dakota | $126 | $1,507 |
| Ohio | $134 | $1,609 |
| Oklahoma | $138 | $1,652 |
| Oregon | $134 | $1,611 |
| Pennsylvania | $167 | $2,001 |
| Rhode Island | $159 | $1,905 |
| South Carolina | $149 | $1,786 |
| South Dakota | $135 | $1,621 |
| Tennessee | $141 | $1,691 |
| Texas | $146 | $1,749 |
| Utah | $137 | $1,646 |
| Vermont | $139 | $1,665 |
| Virginia | $132 | $1,579 |
| Washington | $164 | $1,972 |
| West Virginia | $152 | $1,819 |
| Wisconsin | $142 | $1,702 |
| Wyoming | $134 | $1,604 |
*We gathered these general liability rates from quotes for painting businesses with two employees. Your location, claims history and services affect your final premium.
Workers' compensation insurance for painting businesses costs $121 monthly in North Carolina and $164 in New York.
| Alabama | $137 |
| Alaska | $128 |
| Arizona | $132 |
| Arkansas | $135 |
| California | $156 |
| Colorado | $139 |
| Connecticut | $154 |
| Delaware | $151 |
| Florida | $152 |
| Georgia | $144 |
| Hawaii | $147 |
| Idaho | $132 |
| Illinois | $154 |
| Indiana | $136 |
| Iowa | $132 |
| Kansas | $137 |
| Kentucky | $131 |
| Louisiana | $161 |
| Maine | $122 |
| Maryland | $133 |
| Massachusetts | $146 |
| Michigan | $132 |
| Minnesota | $131 |
| Mississippi | $139 |
| Missouri | $139 |
| Montana | $140 |
| Nebraska | $132 |
| Nevada | $159 |
| New Hampshire | $139 |
| New Jersey | $159 |
| New Mexico | $142 |
| New York | $164 |
| North Carolina | $121 |
| Oklahoma | $131 |
| Oregon | $131 |
| Pennsylvania | $161 |
| Rhode Island | $155 |
| South Carolina | $145 |
| South Dakota | $130 |
| Tennessee | $138 |
| Texas | $142 |
| Utah | $134 |
| Vermont | $134 |
| Virginia | $128 |
| West Virginia | $146 |
| Wisconsin | $137 |
*These workers' comp rates reflect quotes for painting businesses with two employees. State regulations determine your specific requirements and costs.
Professional liability cost for painting businesses averages $64 monthly nationwide. North Dakota painting contractors pay $55, while New York rates reach $74.
| Alabama | $63 |
| Alaska | $56 |
| Arizona | $61 |
| Arkansas | $60 |
| California | $70 |
| Colorado | $64 |
| Connecticut | $70 |
| Delaware | $68 |
| Florida | $70 |
| Georgia | $65 |
| Hawaii | $68 |
| Idaho | $60 |
| Illinois | $71 |
| Indiana | $61 |
| Iowa | $61 |
| Kansas | $61 |
| Kentucky | $60 |
| Louisiana | $71 |
| Maine | $56 |
| Maryland | $61 |
| Massachusetts | $68 |
| Michigan | $60 |
| Minnesota | $60 |
| Mississippi | $63 |
| Missouri | $62 |
| Montana | $63 |
| Nebraska | $60 |
| Nevada | $73 |
| New Hampshire | $62 |
| New Jersey | $73 |
| New Mexico | $65 |
| New York | $74 |
| North Carolina | $56 |
| North Dakota | $55 |
| Ohio | $59 |
| Oklahoma | $59 |
| Oregon | $60 |
| Pennsylvania | $73 |
| Rhode Island | $69 |
| South Carolina | $67 |
| South Dakota | $60 |
| Tennessee | $62 |
| Texas | $64 |
| Utah | $59 |
| Vermont | $61 |
| Virginia | $60 |
| Washington | $74 |
| West Virginia | $67 |
| Wisconsin | $63 |
| Wyoming | $59 |
*We based these professional liability rates on painting businesses with two employees across different states. Your actual rates will depend on the services you offer and your location.
Costs vary across states, with business owner's policy (BOP) coverage differing. BOP insurance costs range from $182 monthly in North Carolina to $245 in New York for the same coverage.
Local labor costs, natural disaster risks and regulatory requirements drive these state-by-state variations.
| Alabama | $208 |
| Alaska | $185 |
| Arizona | $197 |
| Arkansas | $203 |
| California | $234 |
| Colorado | $209 |
| Connecticut | $230 |
| Delaware | $226 |
| Florida | $230 |
| Georgia | $216 |
| Hawaii | $226 |
| Idaho | $198 |
| Illinois | $236 |
| Indiana | $208 |
| Iowa | $200 |
| Kansas | $206 |
| Kentucky | $194 |
| Louisiana | $236 |
| Maine | $182 |
| Maryland | $200 |
| Massachusetts | $220 |
| Michigan | $202 |
| Minnesota | $200 |
| Mississippi | $211 |
| Missouri | $211 |
| Montana | $205 |
| Nebraska | $199 |
| Nevada | $241 |
| New Hampshire | $214 |
| New Jersey | $240 |
| New Mexico | $213 |
| New York | $245 |
| North Carolina | $182 |
| North Dakota | $184 |
| Ohio | $194 |
| Oklahoma | $201 |
| Oregon | $201 |
| Pennsylvania | $243 |
| Rhode Island | $236 |
| South Carolina | $218 |
| South Dakota | $197 |
| Tennessee | $205 |
| Texas | $214 |
| Utah | $197 |
| Vermont | $204 |
| Virginia | $195 |
| Washington | $240 |
| West Virginia | $223 |
| Wisconsin | $212 |
| Wyoming | $196 |
*We based these BOP rates on painting businesses with two employees across different states. Your rates will vary based on your business size, location, and coverage needs.
Painting company insurance costs span $76 to $173 monthly, depending on the provider. Insurers price policies differently based on their underwriting criteria and target markets.
| Chubb | $170 | $2,034 |
| Coverdash | $156 | $1,867 |
| Hiscox | $173 | $2,072 |
| NEXT Insurance | $137 | $1,646 |
| Nationwide | $133 | $1,600 |
| Progressive Commercial | $139 | $1,670 |
| Simply Business | $152 | $1,829 |
| The Hartford | $115 | $1,376 |
| Thimble | $76 | $910 |
| biBERK | $150 | $1,805 |
Insurers examine multiple factors when calculating your painting business insurance rates.
Market conditions and construction activity in your region influence insurance pricing. Painters working in booming metros with constant new development have different rate structures than those in slower-growth areas with mainly residential touch-up work.
Ladder falls and paint spills create common claim scenarios for this trade. Previous incidents involving worker injuries or property damage from overspray and drips continue affecting your premium costs long after cleanup.
Interior residential repaints present straightforward risk compared to exterior commercial work. Contractors bidding on multi-story office buildings or industrial facilities encounter more hazards than those focusing on homeowner living rooms and bedrooms.
Painters spend hours on ladders and scaffolding, making fall injuries a real concern for workers' comp. Solo operators sidestep this expense, while companies employing multiple painters see premiums climb alongside their total weekly wages.
Standard brush and roller application keeps risk fairly contained. Start offering specialty finishes, spray painting, epoxy coatings or work above two stories, and insurers adjust pricing upward to match the additional exposure.
Annual billings reflect how many jobs you complete and your claim frequency potential. A part-time painter earning $55,000 from weekend projects pays drastically less than full-service contractors generating $325,000 across commercial and residential work.
General contractors and property managers often require minimum insurance before you can bid. Standard $1 million policies work for many residential jobs, but commercial projects frequently demand $2 million or more at higher premium rates.
Ladders, sprayers, scaffolding and work vans accumulate value faster than many painters realize. Contractors investing in commercial spray rigs and multiple vehicles need stronger property protection than those hauling basics in a pickup bed.
Insurers link creditworthiness to claim behavior when calculating rates for painters. Maintaining solid credit often unlocks discounts, while past financial troubles result in premium increases that squeeze job profitability.
Our step-by-step guide helps you find affordable coverage and improve your risk profile.
Painting contractors need general liability for paint spills on carpets and furniture, professional liability for color matching errors and finish defects, and completed operations coverage since issues like peeling or bubbling often appear months later.
Add commercial auto for work vehicles transporting supplies, inland marine for ladders and sprayers, workers' compensation for fall risks from scaffolding and pollution liability if you remove lead paint or handle hazardous coatings.
Painting insurance rates vary based on whether you do residential interiors, commercial buildings, or specialty work like cabinet refinishing and industrial coatings. Contractors-focused carriers understand the unique risks of working on ladders, scaffolding and occupied properties better than general insurers.
Combining general liability, professional liability, and commercial auto saves 19% to 26% compared to purchasing separately. Many insurers offer painting contractor packages that include tools, equipment, and pollution coverage at reduced bundle rates.
Higher equipment deductibles of $1,000 to $2,500 can reduce premiums by 18% to 26%. This works well for established contractors with quality sprayers and tools. Keep general liability deductibles low since paint spills, overspray damage, and accidental property damage happen even with drop cloths and protective measures.
Monthly installment plans add 5% to 10% in processing fees, which, on a $5,500 policy, costs $275 to $550 extra annually. Paying upfront removes these charges and earns 6% to 9% discounts from most contractor carriers.
Your painting business changes over time, so your insurance needs change too. Check your policy each year to drop coverage you've outgrown and adjust limits that no longer match your crew size and service offerings.
Painting business insurance costs range from $121 to $245 monthly, with your location, claims history and business size driving your actual premium. Getting quotes from multiple insurers, bundling your policies, choosing higher deductibles and paying annually instead of monthly helps you find more affordable rates.
Painting business owners commonly ask about insurance costs. We answered the most frequent questions below:
Professional liability (E&O) is the cheapest at $64 monthly, but it only covers errors and omissions. Most painting businesses need general liability coverage ($144 monthly) since it protects against customer injuries and property damage claims.
You'll pay more in these states. General liability in California runs $161 monthly (vs. $144 national average), and BOP costs $234 (vs. $211 average). New York is similar at $168 and $245.
Bundling your painting business insurance saves more money than buying individual policies. Insurers discount your premium when you package general liability, commercial auto coverage and commercial property insurance together.
Working at dangerous heights, using hazardous chemicals and solvents, previous insurance claims, poor safety records, larger crews, expensive equipment like scaffolding and operating in high-crime areas all increase your painting business insurance costs.
Higher deductibles reduce monthly premiums but increase your out-of-pocket costs per claim. Choose based on your available cash reserves and how often you expect to file claims.
Workers' compensation costs for painting businesses range from $121 monthly in North Carolina to $164 in New York.
Yes, BOP insurance is worth the investment for painting companies. BOP coverage costs $211 monthly but bundles general liability, commercial property and business interruption protection. You get better value than buying individual policies and simpler policy management.
Shop annually when your policy renews. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers can uncover savings, especially after business changes like expanding services or adding staff.
Finding affordable insurance matters when you're running a painting business with tight margins and variable project income. We gathered quotes from insurers that work with painting contractors to show you what coverage actually costs for a business like yours.
Our research used a standard small painting business profile to compare rates fairly across insurers and states. This approach lets you see how different providers price the same coverage for similar operations.
Sample Business Profile:
We requested quotes using these specifications:
This profile matches typical small painting contractors who handle residential and light commercial projects. These coverage limits protect you from common painting business risks: ladder falls causing injury, paint damage to client property, and employee injuries from chemical exposure or equipment accidents.
We focused on insurers offering online quotes and nationwide availability. Painting contractors need fast quotes when bidding jobs, so we prioritized carriers with digital tools that deliver rates quickly. We also selected insurers with track records serving contractors, since they understand your specific risks better than general business insurers.
What the Coverage Limits Mean:
The $1 million per occurrence limit covers a single incident, like paint damaging a client's expensive furniture or a ladder falling through a window. The $2 million aggregate limit caps your total annual claims across all incidents. These limits work for most painting projects, though large commercial contracts may require higher amounts.
Workers' compensation rates vary by state because each one sets its own rules and classification codes for painting work. We gathered quotes from multiple states to show this variation clearly.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
