Insurance for Painters & Decorators

Why painters and decorators often need different cover

Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of serious injury in this trade, and as a self-employed decorator, time off site because of an injury or illness usually means no income until you're back on the tools.

What's typically worth considering

Income protection — replaces a portion of your income if an injury (including falls) or illness keeps you off site.
Life insurance — sized around your actual self-employed earnings and family circumstances.
Critical illness cover — a lump sum on diagnosis of a serious condition, giving you room to recover without the immediate financial pressure.

Common risks that shape a painter or decorator's cover

Insurers look closely at a few specific areas of this trade when pricing cover:

Falls from height — ladders, scaffold towers and podium steps used daily for ceilings, stairwells and exteriors are one of the best-documented risk factors in the trade.
Material and solvent exposure — paints, primers, fillers and solvents used in poorly ventilated spaces, particularly relevant if you regularly work on older properties or commercial sites.
Repetitive strain — extended overhead work and repetitive brush/roller motion contributing to shoulder and wrist issues over time.
Site conditions outside your control — working around other trades on active building sites carries risks beyond your own work.
Seasonal and project-based income — decorating work can slow in winter months or between contracts, so cover should reflect your real annual income rather than your busiest quarter.

How much cover do you actually need?

Worth working through before you compare quotes:

Income protection: calculate the monthly amount that would cover essentials — mortgage/rent, van costs, household bills — if a fall or injury kept you off site for an extended period. Most policies replace 50-70% of income, and a longer deferred period (delay before payments start) can lower your premium if you have some savings buffer.
Life insurance: outstanding mortgage/debt plus a multiple of income to support your family for the years they'd need it is a common starting point for sizing cover.
Critical illness cover: a lump sum covering 6-12 months without income, plus any treatment, recovery or home-adaptation costs, gives real breathing room after a serious diagnosis.

Given how much falls-from-height risk factors into pricing for this trade, it's worth comparing how different insurers treat that specifically rather than accepting a single quote at face value.

Things insurers ask about for painting and decorating work

Expect questions about how much of your work is at height, whether it's residential or commercial, and what materials you regularly work with — these all affect how a policy is priced, which is exactly why it's worth comparing rather than accepting the first quote you're given.

Frequently asked questions

I've had a fall or injury before — will that block me from getting cover? Not usually — insurers assess current risk and circumstances, and a panel approach means one insurer's view isn't the only option.
Does cover treat exterior and interior work differently? It can, since exterior work often involves more height and weather exposure — worth flagging both when you compare quotes.
My work is seasonal — how is my income assessed? Insurers typically look at an average across recent years' accounts or tax returns rather than judging you on a slow winter month.
Can I cover just myself, or does it need to include employees too? Personal income protection, life and critical illness cover are about your own income and family — separate business insurance covers employees and public liability.