Paint & Wallpaper Store Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a paint & wallpaper store business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for paint, coatings, and wallcovering stores. Priorities reflect typical exposure for this class; confirm against products stocked and services offered.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Property & Business Income | Covers the building and a highly flammable inventory, plus lost income after a fire. | Core | |
| Commercial General Liability (incl. Products) | Covers customer injuries and claims from products sold or recommended. | Core | |
| Pollution / Hazardous Materials Liability | Covers spills and releases of paints, solvents, and leftover paint — usually excluded from GL. | Prevalent | |
| Contractors Liability (Installation) | Needed if the store hangs wallpaper or paints — completed work claims can surface later. | Situational | |
| Equipment Rental Liability | Confirms GL covers injuries from rented sprayers — some policies exclude rentals. | Situational | |
| Commercial Auto | Covers delivery vehicles to job sites. | Prevalent | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states; lifting pails and chemical exposure drive injuries. | Core | |
| Crime / Employee Dishonesty | Covers employee theft and contractor account fraud. | Situational |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed exposure for this class is the product mix itself. Solvent paints, thinners, lacquers, and aerosols make a paint store a heavy fire load, and general liability usually excludes pollution from spills or leftover-paint storage. Regulated products add risk: EPA has banned consumer sales of methylene chloride paint strippers since 2019, and stains and oil finishes can cause rags to self-ignite if customers aren't warned. Stores that install wallpaper or rent sprayers should confirm those operations are covered, since retail policies may not include contractor or rental exposures.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your paint & wallpaper store coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Paint & Wallpaper Store Insurance · Paint & Wallpaper Store Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a paint & wallpaper store business need?
The core coverages for a paint & wallpaper store business are Commercial Property & Business Income, Commercial General Liability (incl. Products), Workers' Compensation. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my paint & wallpaper store coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.