Insurance for Painters & Decorators
Compare coverage options and get fast online painters insurance quotes tailored to your needs, including:
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Painters and decorators may benefit from having a range of insurance types, including:
Public Liability Insurance helps protect your painting business if your work causes injury to a third party or accidental damage to someone else’s property. It can cover legal defence costs and compensation payments if a claim is made against you, subject to policy terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions.
This cover does not include injury to you or your employees, or damage to your own tools and equipment.
Painting often involves working at height, using ladders and spray equipment, and operating inside client premises. If paint damages flooring, overspray affects fixtures, or a ladder falls and injures someone, you could face a significant claim.
Many builders and commercial clients require proof of Public Liability before you can start work.
Your tools and equipment are essential to every job. General Property Insurance (also known as Tools Insurance) helps protect them against theft, loss, or accidental damage, whether they are on site, in transit, or stored in your vehicle, subject to policy terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions.
Painting tools are often portable and regularly moved between jobs, which increases the risk of damage or theft.
Cover depends on the policy selected and the items declared.
Painting equipment is frequently left on worksites, in vehicles, or in shared storage areas. Vans and trailers can be targeted, particularly overnight.
Replacing spray units, ladders, and specialist tools out of pocket can be costly and may delay scheduled work. Tools cover helps reduce financial disruption by assisting with repair or replacement costs for insured items, so you can get back on the job sooner.
Get a fast quote online and protect the equipment that keeps your painting business running.
Personal Accident and Illness Insurance helps provide income protection if you are unable to work due to injury or illness. It is designed for contractors and sole traders who do not have access to sick leave, subject to policy terms, conditions, limits, and waiting periods.
If you rely on your ability to physically complete painting work, this cover can help protect your income.
Benefits, limits, and waiting periods depend on the cover chosen.
Painting work often involves climbing ladders, repetitive movements, lifting equipment, and working in awkward positions. A fall, strain, or illness can stop you from working for weeks.
If you cannot work, you cannot invoice. Personal Accident and Illness Insurance helps provide financial support while you recover, so you can manage ongoing expenses and keep your business stable.
While painting is primarily hands-on, many painters also provide advice, specifications, or written recommendations. If a client claims your advice or professional services caused them financial loss, Professional Indemnity Insurance can help protect your business, subject to policy terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions.
This cover is particularly relevant if your services go beyond basic labour.
If a client alleges your recommendation was unsuitable or led to additional costs, Professional Indemnity Insurance can help cover legal defence costs and potential compensation.
If your painting work includes advisory, consulting, or specification elements, this cover adds an extra layer of protection to your business.
If you employ staff, Workers Compensation Insurance is generally required by law. It helps cover wages and medical expenses if an employee is injured or becomes ill due to their work, subject to state regulations and policy terms.
Painting work often involves ladders, working at height, and exposure to chemicals, which can increase the risk of workplace injuries.
Requirements, benefits, and limits depend on your state or territory scheme.
For sole traders, subcontractors, and owner-operators, this cover is usually not required unless you employ staff.
Note: We can assist with arranging Workers Compensation Insurance for painters based in Western Australia.
The Australian Tax Office can audit any contractor. Tax Audit Insurance covers the cost of your accountant’s fees if you are audited.
A small cost that can save thousands at tax time.
Specialist contractor insurance: Cover tailored specifically for contractors, subcontractors, and small businesses.
Fast quotes and instant documents: Get covered online in minutes and receive proof of insurance immediately, subject to policy terms.
Only pay for what you need: Flexible options designed to suit sole traders and small teams.
All policies in one place: Public Liability, Tools Cover, Professional Indemnity, Personal Accident and more.
The cost of insurance for painters and decorators depends on the type of work you do, your turnover, and the level of cover you select. Whether you handle residential repainting, commercial projects, or detailed finishes, insurers assess your risk based on how you operate.
Insurance costs can vary depending on your work environment, the materials you use, and the type of projects you take on.
Painters and decorators often select cover limits based on contract requirements, site access conditions, and the type of work they carry out.
Premiums are subject to underwriting, insurer acceptance, and the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of the policy.
Insurance requirements for painters and decorators vary across Australia. In most cases, Public Liability Insurance is commonly expected, while Workers Compensation Insurance generally applies if you employ staff. The biggest state-by-state differences are usually around licensing, registration, and project value thresholds, rather than the insurance products themselves.
Residential building work on houses and low-rise apartments generally requires residential building work insurance. Requirements can apply based on project value and whether building approval is needed. Workers Compensation may apply if you employ staff.
For residential building work over $20,000, Home Building Compensation cover is generally required when you are the principal contractor. Subcontractors typically do not arrange this cover. Workers Compensation may apply if you employ workers.
Residential building work is covered under the Home Building Certification Fund, which provides protection through a fidelity fund certificate. This generally applies to prescribed residential work only. Workers Compensation may apply if you employ staff.
Many residential carpentry jobs fall under the QBCC Home Warranty Scheme. For work over $3,300, insurance is generally required. Licensing requirements may also apply depending on the work type. Workers Compensation may apply if you employ staff.
Building Indemnity Insurance is generally required for residential building work above $20,000. Requirements may vary depending on the contract date and job scope. Workers Compensation may apply if you employ staff.
Tasmania is moving toward a mandatory home warranty insurance scheme for residential building work. Requirements can vary depending on the current implementation stage. Workers Compensation applies if you employ workers.
Domestic Building Insurance is generally required for residential building work over $16,000. The policy is typically provided to the client before work begins or payment is taken. Workers Compensation may apply if you employ staff.
Home Indemnity Insurance is generally required for residential building work over $20,000. The builder usually arranges this cover in the owner’s name before starting work. Workers Compensation may apply if you employ staff.
Simple. Fast. Painter-Focused.
Getting the right cover for your painting and decorating work takes minutes, not days. Here’s how to arrange cover quickly and get the documents you may need for jobs and site access.
Complete our short online form with your trade, the type of painting or decorating work you do, your turnover, and whether you use employees or subcontractors.
Review and compare cover options and limits based on the type of work you take on, your contracts, and any site or client requirements.
Once your policy is arranged, your Certificate of Currency can be issued, often within minutes, so you can move ahead with your next job.
Cover subject to policy terms, conditions, exclusions, and insurer acceptance.
Contractor Cover is the one-stop insurance shop for contractors across Australia.
We help contractors, subcontractors and small businesses compare commonly arranged business insurance options in one place. Choose from available cover types and limits based on your trade, business activities and contract requirements, subject to insurer acceptance, policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.
Call our team today at 1300 438 268 for more information or fill in our easy online quote form.
270k+ businesses covered
20+ years of experience
Contractor insurance specialists
At Contractor Cover, we’re proud to have a dedicated executive team that brings decades of experience, strategic insight, and an unwavering commitment to supporting Australian contractors.
John Elliott is the founder of Elliott Insurance Brokers, the business behind Contractor Cover. With nearly 20 years of insurance industry experience, John helps guide the business with a focus on practical cover, reliable service and clear support for Australian contractors.
Rachael Milne joined Elliott Insurance Brokers in 2012 and supports the systems, planning and financial structure behind Contractor Cover. Her work helps the business operate smoothly while supporting clear, reliable insurance services for contractors Australia-wide.
Kris Wright supports Contractor Cover through technology, systems and process improvement. His work helps keep the online quote experience simple, organised and efficient, making it easier for contractors to compare cover options and access documents quickly.
Tim Stingers brings more than a decade of insurance experience, with a strong focus on trades and construction. His knowledge helps support contractor-focused cover options for tradies, subcontractors and small construction businesses.
While not always legally mandatory, most painters are required to hold Public Liability Insurance before working on residential, commercial, or strata projects. Builders and property managers commonly request a Certificate of Currency before allowing work to begin.
Typical coverage includes:
Yes. Sole traders are personally responsible for claims made against their business. Insurance helps protect your personal assets if a claim arises from your painting work.
In many cases, business insurance premiums may be tax deductible as a business expense. You should speak with your accountant or tax advisor to confirm how this applies to your situation.
Yes. In many cases, cover can be arranged online quickly, with documents issued once your policy is confirmed. Acceptance is subject to insurer approval.
Several factors impact how much contractors pay for insurance. Insurers assess your risk level and the nature of your work to determine your premium.
Key influences include:
Policies can generally be cancelled, subject to the insurer’s cancellation terms and conditions. Refunds, if applicable, depend on the time on risk and policy terms.
A Certificate of Currency is proof that your insurance policy is current and active. Builders and commercial clients often require this document before you start work.
You should review your insurance at least once a year, or any time your business changes. A quick review helps ensure you remain properly protected.
Common triggers include:
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