Painter Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a painter 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 painting contractors. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against pre-1978 and industrial work.
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 General Liability (incl. Products-Completed Operations) | Covers injuries and damage during work and after it's finished. | Core | |
| Contractors Pollution Liability (incl. Lead) | Covers lead-paint claims — excluded from most GL policies. | Core | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states — falls drive the most serious claims. | Core | |
| Commercial Auto | Covers work vans and trucks. | Core | |
| Tools & Equipment / Inland Marine | Covers tools and equipment on job sites and in transit. | Prevalent |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed gap for this class is lead coverage. Most general liability policies exclude lead, and since January 2026 EPA treats any detectable lead in dust as a hazard in pre-1978 homes — making a child's lead-poisoning claim after a paint job harder to defend. Painters should carry pollution coverage that includes lead, stay EPA lead-safe certified, and keep RRP records for every pre-1978 job.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your painter coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Painter Insurance · Painter Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a painter business need?
The core coverages for a painter business are Commercial General Liability (incl. Products-Completed Operations), Contractors Pollution Liability (incl. Lead), Workers' Compensation, Commercial Auto. 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 painter 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.