Painting business insurance costs vary across coverage types. Monthly premiums range from $64 for professional liability coverage to $211 for a business owner's policy.
How Much Does Painting Business Insurance Cost?
Painting business insurance starts at $64 per month, though your specific business details and coverage needs will determine your actual rate.
Discover cheap painting business insurance below.
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Updated: August 26, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Painting business insurance costs range from $64 to $211 monthly, with general liability and workers' compensation being the most common coverage types.
Your painting insurance premiums depend on location, claims history, property types serviced and employee count.
Shop multiple insurers, bundle policies, increase deductibles and pay annually to find affordable painting business insurance costs.
Average Painting Business Insurance Cost Overall
| BOP | $211 |
| General Liability | $144 |
| Professional Liability (E&O) | $64 |
| Workers' Comp | $140 |
How did we determine these rates?
These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus on four coverage types: general liability, professional liability/E&O, workers' comp and business owner's policy. Survey results reflect limited sample data and may not represent all available rates in your area.
Painting Business Insurance Cost for General Liability Coverage by State
Your painting business insurance cost for general liability coverage depends on where you operate. Maine and North Carolina offer the most savings at $125 monthly (versus the $145 national average), while New York costs $168 monthly.
| Alabama | $141 |
| Alaska | $128 |
| Arizona | $137 |
| Arkansas | $139 |
| California | $161 |
| Colorado | $143 |
| Connecticut | $157 |
| Delaware | $155 |
| Florida | $156 |
| Georgia | $147 |
| Hawaii | $156 |
| Idaho | $137 |
| Illinois | $159 |
| Indiana | $141 |
| Iowa | $138 |
| Kansas | $140 |
| Kentucky | $134 |
| Louisiana | $165 |
| Maine | $125 |
| Maryland | $138 |
| Massachusetts | $152 |
| Michigan | $137 |
| Minnesota | $136 |
| Mississippi | $145 |
| Missouri | $142 |
| Montana | $144 |
| Nebraska | $137 |
| Nevada | $163 |
| New Hampshire | $144 |
| New Jersey | $164 |
| New Mexico | $145 |
| New York | $168 |
| North Carolina | $125 |
| North Dakota | $126 |
| Ohio | $134 |
| Oklahoma | $138 |
| Oregon | $134 |
| Pennsylvania | $167 |
| Rhode Island | $159 |
| South Carolina | $149 |
| South Dakota | $135 |
| Tennessee | $141 |
| Texas | $146 |
| Utah | $137 |
| Vermont | $139 |
| Virginia | $132 |
| Washington | $164 |
| West Virginia | $152 |
| Wisconsin | $142 |
| Wyoming | $134 |
How did we determine these rates?
These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies. Survey results reflect limited sample data and may not represent all available rates in your area.
Painting Business Insurance Cost for Workers’ Compensation Coverage by State
Your painting business's cost for workers' compensation varies by state. North Carolina offers the lowest rates at $121 monthly and New York the highest at $164 monthly. Our analysis reveals how state regulations and claim histories create these differences.
| 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 |
How did we determine these rates?
These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on workers’ comp policies. Workers' compensation requirements vary by state and are mandated by state regulations. Survey results reflect limited sample data and may not represent all available rates in your area.
Painting Business Insurance Cost for Professional Liability Coverage by State
The cost for professional liability varies by state for painting businesses. While the national average is $64 monthly, North Dakota offers the lowest rates at $55 for E&O insurance, while New York charges the highest at $74 monthly.
| 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 |
How did we determine these rates?
These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on professional liability policies. Survey results reflect limited sample data and may not represent all available rates in your area.
Painting Business Insurance Cost for BOP Coverage by State
Business owner's policy rates vary widely for painting businesses across states. A policy in New York costs $245 per month, while North Carolina painters pay just $182 monthly for the same coverage.
| 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 |
How did we determine these rates?
These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on BOP coverage. Survey results reflect limited sample data and may not represent all available rates in your area.
Factors Affecting Painting Business Insurance Cost
Insurance costs for your painting business are based on several factors that insurance companies review to set premiums. Understanding these factors helps with budget planning. Below are the key elements that affect your insurance rates.
Geographic location
Your business location affects workers' compensation rates because of local regulations and claim frequencies. If your business is in an area with extreme weather conditions or high property crime rates, this may increase your risk profile.
Safety record and claims history
Previous claims impact future premiums, sometimes for three to five years. A single paint spill or property damage claim can increase your general liability rates at renewal.
Types of properties serviced
Commercial buildings and industrial facilities carry higher liability risks than residential properties. Painting multi-story buildings or working with specialized coatings in industrial settings likely increases the odds of claims.
Employee count and payroll
Insurers calculate workers' comp premiums based on your total payroll and job classifications. Adding employees increases your payroll costs.
Services offered
Interior painting, exterior work and specialty coatings each carry different risk levels. A company offering only interior residential painting faces lower premiums.
Business size and revenue
Higher annual revenue means higher premiums since insurers view larger operations as having greater exposure to claims. For example, a solo house painter earning $50,000 annually will pay less than a commercial painting company with $500,000 in revenue.
Coverage limits
Higher coverage limits provide better protection but cost more monthly. Choosing between different coverage amounts directly affects your premium, with higher limits increasing costs proportionally.
Equipment and vehicle values
More expensive painting equipment and vehicles require higher coverage limits. This can increase your premiums. A company using commercial paint sprayers, lifts, and multiple work vehicles will pay more for equipment coverage than one using basic supplies.
Credit score and financial stability
In most states, insurers can consider your business credit score when setting rates. A strong credit score can reduce premiums, while poor credit often increases costs substantially.
How to Get Cheap Painting Business Insurance
Smart shopping and risk management strategies can lower your painting business insurance costs, and these proven methods will help reduce your premiums both now and as your safety record improves.
- 1
Choose the right coverage types for your business
Understanding what types of business insurance your painting company needs prevents overpaying for unnecessary coverage. General liability protects against paint spills and property damage claims. Workers compensation covers employee injuries, while commercial property insurance protects your equipment and materials.
- 2
Shop multiple insurance companies
Insurance rates can vary significantly between carriers for the same coverage. Compare quotes from at least three insurers to find the best rates. Consider working with an independent agent who can shop multiple carriers for you.
- 3
Bundle your coverage types
Insurance companies offer substantial discounts when you bundle multiple policies together. Combining general liability, commercial property and commercial auto insurance with one carrier typically costs less than separate policies from different insurers.
- 4
Increase your deductibles
Choosing higher deductibles reduces your monthly premium costs. This means you'll pay more out-of-pocket for small claims, but your ongoing insurance expenses will be lower.
- 5
Pay annually instead of monthly
Most insurance carriers charge extra processing fees for monthly payments. Paying your full premium annually eliminates these fees and often qualifies you for additional discounts.
- 6
Review and adjust your coverage annually
Your insurance needs change as your painting business grows. Review your policies yearly to ensure coverage matches your current operations. Remove unnecessary coverage and adjust limits based on your business size and risks.
Insurance for Painting Business Cost: Bottom Line
Painting business insurance costs range from $64 to $211 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 Insurance Cost: FAQ
Our insurance experts answer your top questions about painting business insurance costs to help you find the right coverage at competitive rates.
What is the cheapest type of painting business insurance?
Professional liability insurance costs $64 monthly for painting businesses. However, most painting contractors need general liability coverage ($144 monthly) to protect against customer injuries and property damage claims.
How much can I save by bundling my painting business insurance policies?
Bundling business insurance policies through a BOP offers the best value. Insurers provide discounts when combining multiple coverage types.
What factors make my painting business insurance more expensive?
Factors that could make your painting business insurance more costly include claims history, size of the business, types of services offered and number of employees.
Should I choose a $500 or $2,500 deductible for my painting business insurance?
Higher deductibles lower your monthly premiums significantly, but require larger out-of-pocket payments when filing claims. Consider your available cash flow and claim frequency when deciding.
How much does workers' compensation cost for painting businesses by state?
Workers' compensation rates range from $121 monthly in North Carolina to $164 monthly in New York. Costs vary significantly by state, with coastal regions generally having higher premiums.
Is business owner's policy (BOP) worth the extra cost for painting companies?
BOP insurance costs painting companies $211 per month on average nationwide. It bundles general liability, commercial property and business interruption coverage into one cost-effective package for growing painting businesses.
How often should I shop around for painting business insurance quotes?
Review your painting business insurance annually during renewal time.
How We Determined Painting Business Insurance Costs
We collected painting business insurance quotes from companies across different states. For consistent comparisons, every quote used the same business setup:
- Two employees (three people total, including the owner)
- $150,000 annual payroll
- $300,000 annual revenue
- Already insured status
- $1 million per occurrence and $2 million total per year for all coverage except BOP, which includes the same limits plus $5,000 business property coverage
This profile represents small painting businesses requiring comprehensive insurance coverage in most states. We chose companies offering broad national coverage and online quote capabilities, focusing on insurers that actively serve the painting industry.
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!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.