Why painter insurance matters to you, the homeowner
· 5 min read · By GK Painting & Remodeling
A painter you hire should be insured, and you should see proof before work starts. Insurance is what pays when something goes wrong on a job, like a cracked window, a damaged floor or a fall from a ladder, so the cost doesn't automatically land on you.
Painting looks low risk, and most jobs finish without a problem. Insurance is for the one that doesn't. Here's what it covers, how to ask for proof and what to look for. We're fully insured, and we'd suggest asking every painter you're considering the same question, us included.
What can go wrong on a paint job
Most of the things that go wrong are ordinary. They're also the reason the question is worth asking, because a home is full of surfaces that are expensive to fix:
- A full can of paint dropped on a wood floor or a carpet
- A ladder that scrapes a wall, cracks a window or dents a door frame
- A spill that gets past the drop cloth onto furniture
- A piece of furniture or a fixture damaged while it's being moved
- A painter, a helper or a visitor who is hurt on the property
None of these is likely on any given day. All of them are possible on any given job. Insurance is how the cost of one gets paid without turning into an argument between you and the painter.
The two kinds of coverage to ask about
You'll hear two terms. Liability insurance is the coverage for damage a painter causes to your property or injuries to other people. Wisconsin's consumer protection agency (DATCP) describes it as covering worker and public injuries and damage to property.
Workers' compensation is the coverage for employees who are hurt on the job. If a painter has employees or helpers, ask whether they're covered. Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development links to an insurance coverage lookup, built by the Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau, that can show whether an employer currently holds a Wisconsin workers' compensation policy. If a painter works alone, ask them to explain what their coverage includes.
Why it matters to you, not just the painter
Without the painter's insurance, the practical options after a mishap are to ask the painter to pay out of pocket or to make a claim on your own homeowner's policy. The first isn't something you can count on. The second is a conversation to have with your own insurer, and it's one most people would rather skip.
DATCP also points out that some contracts are written to put the responsibility for insurance on the homeowner. Read the paperwork for a line like that before you sign. If you're unsure how your own policy treats work done by a contractor, call your insurance agent and ask. They can answer for your policy in a way that no article can.
How to ask for proof
Ask before the job starts, when it's easy for everyone, not after something has happened. DATCP's advice is to ask any contractor for a certificate of insurance with your name and address listed as the certificate holder. The certificate shows the contractor has an active policy, and as the certificate holder you're told if the policy expires.
- Ask for the certificate when you get the quote, before you agree to a start date.
- Ask to be listed as the certificate holder, with your name and address.
- Check that the business name on the certificate matches the name on the quote.
- Check that the policy dates cover the days the work will happen.
- If anything is unclear, call the insurance agent named on the certificate and ask.
A good answer to the request is a quick yes. Iowa's attorney general gives the same advice in its tips for hiring a contractor: ask for a copy of the contractor's liability insurance certificate. A painter who hesitates, changes the subject or says it's not necessary on a small job is telling you something. See our list of red flags when hiring a painter.
What insurance covers and what it doesn't
Insurance answers one question: what if something is damaged or someone is hurt? It doesn't answer whether the paint job will be good. Those are different protections, and it helps to keep them straight:
| If this happens | Insurance may help | What else helps |
|---|---|---|
| A ladder cracks a window | Liability coverage | Proof of insurance before work starts |
| A worker is hurt on the job | Workers' compensation or liability | Asking what's covered |
| A spill damages a rug | Liability coverage | Clearing the room, floor protection |
| The finish peels | Not an insurance matter | The painter's workmanship terms, in writing |
| The job takes longer | Not an insurance matter | A written quote with a clear price |
For a finish that fails, our answer is simple: if a problem comes from the quality of our work, like a finish that peels or didn't bond, we come back and make it right. Damage from everyday use or accidents after the job isn't covered, but we'll quote the repair. Our guide to questions to ask a painter covers how to get that kind of answer from anyone.
What a certificate does and doesn't tell you
A certificate of insurance is a summary of a policy, not the policy itself. It tells you a policy exists, who issued it and the dates it covers. It doesn't tell you the work will be good, that the painter is the right fit for your job or that the price is fair.
Think of it as one item on a short checklist. The others are a written scope, a clear price, a start date and answers you're comfortable with. Our guide to how to hire a painter puts them in order, and how to compare painting quotes shows how to weigh them.
When a painter says it isn't necessary
You may hear a few versions of this: it's only one room, I've never had a claim, or your homeowner's policy covers it. None of them answers the question. Damage doesn't depend on the size of a job, a clean record isn't coverage, and your own policy has its own rules, which your agent can explain.
Be a little more careful if a painter ties the topic to price, such as offering a lower number if you skip the paperwork. Ask yourself what else might be skipped, and whether you'd be comfortable explaining that choice to your own insurance agent after a claim.
You don't need to argue. Ask politely for a certificate, say you'd like it before the start date, and see how the painter responds. A painter who's insured will usually be glad you asked.
Our answer
We're fully insured. Before any paint comes out, floors and furniture are covered, which is the other half of protecting your home. Our guide to how to paint a room shows the order of work. Ask any painter, us included, what their insurance covers, and keep the answer with your paperwork.
If you'd like to talk through a project, ask for a free estimate. It starts with a phone call, George visits if he needs to see the space, and you get a written quote with a start date. You can see how our interior painting works, learn more about us, or see the page for Monona among the towns we serve across Dane County.
Common questions
Does a painter need insurance to work in my home?
A painter you hire should have it. What a particular painter is required to carry depends on the business, so the safer approach is to ask for proof rather than assume. A certificate of insurance before work starts takes the guessing out of it.
What is a certificate of insurance?
It's a document from the painter's insurer or agent that summarizes the policy and its dates. DATCP notes that you can ask any contractor for one listing your name and address as the certificate holder, which shows the policy is active and means you're told if it expires.
How do I ask a painter for proof of insurance?
Ask when you get the quote, before you agree to a start date. Say you'd like a certificate of insurance with your name and address as the certificate holder. A painter who's insured can usually get one from their insurance agent without much fuss.
Will my own homeowner's insurance cover damage from a painter?
Maybe, depending on your policy, so call your insurance agent before the job and ask. Don't assume it will, and don't assume it won't. The painter's own insurance is the first thing to confirm.
Does an insured painter always do good work?
No. Insurance covers damage and injuries, not quality. Pair it with a written quote, a clear scope, answers you trust and a plan for the walkthrough at the end of the job.
Sources
- Home Improvement Consumer Tips, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
- Insurance Coverage Lookup (workers' compensation), Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
- Top Tips to Hire the Right Contractor, Iowa Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General
More on interior painting and every hiring a painter post.
