Trades like painters come into contact with hundreds of clients each year, and we love taking part in their projects and helping people bring their visions to life. Watching a project come together is incredibly satisfying, but it’s hard work, and that means it’s important for painters to protect themselves and their clients. Insurance plays a huge role for any business owner. Protecting yourself against the financial strain of causing damage and injury gives you peace of mind that you’ll always be able to keep the business up and running. Painters are no different, and it’s important for painting businesses to carry the right insurance policies to look after themselves, their employees and their clients.
What is Painting Insurance?
Painting is hard work. It often takes long hours and complex access equipment to get the job done, especially when you’re completing large projects like high-rise buildings. That means painters spend long stretches of time on-site at clients’ premises where there’s always potential for accident and injury. Painting insurance is designed to protect trades, covering them against any injuries or damage they might cause. In most cases, painting insurance goes both ways and also covers painters and their equipment against injury, damage and vandalism.
How Does Painting Insurance Protect Me?
As a business owner, you’re responsible for your own equipment and the safety of any third parties you come into contact with. When equipment is damaged or stolen, replacing it on short notice can put a serious dent in your bottom line. Similarly, you can be found liable for any damage or injuries sustained by third parties, including your customers, suppliers and their properties.
If your equipment is damaged or you accidentally injure a customer during the course of your business, it can place a huge financial strain on you. Lawsuits for personal injury and property damage can often be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you find yourself liable for someone’s injuries, painters insurance would step in and pay the expenses. That protects your bottom line, and it gives your customers peace of mind that they’re protected against any accidental injury or damage caused to them or their property.
What Types of Painting Insurance are There?
Painting insurance isn’t a single policy - although some providers will roll multiple policies into one to create packages for trades. Typically, painters hold a few different insurance policies to protect themselves, their equipment and their customers:
Public Liability Insurance. Public liability protects against accidental damage or injury done to third parties, including customers and suppliers. For example, if a customer were to trip over some of your equipment on a job site, you could be liable to pay for their medical expenses.
Accident and Illness Insurance. Accidents do happen! Painting work often involves difficult access and specialist equipment that can cause serious injury if something goes wrong. Accident and illness cover protects painters against injury and ensures they can take time off to recover.
Property Insurance. Property insurance covers the property your business owns, including any real estate or equipment. If your property is damaged, property insurance can cover your losses and make sure your business stays up and running.
Portable Property Insurance. Painters use lots of specialist equipment, and some of it can be very expensive to replace on short notice. Portable property insurance covers all the tools and equipment that travel with you to each job, protecting you against damage, theft or vandalism.