The overspray
Spraying an apartment block exterior on a windy day, overspray lands on a dozen cars in the car park below. Public liability is the cover that may apply to this kind of claim, depending on the policy wording.
Insurance for Painters
Understand the cover painters commonly use, what clients and sites ask for, and when it gets more complicated.
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The short answer
What insurance does a painter need in Australia?
Painters in Australia usually carry public liability insurance, commonly $10 million or $20 million, plus tools and vehicle cover. Most claims involve damage to a client's property, overspray on cars or neighbouring buildings, or falls. Commercial repaints, spray work, work at heights and lead paint can change what insurers will accept.
- Most common cover
- Public liability, tools and equipment, commercial vehicle
- Limits clients ask for
- $5m to $10m residential, $10m to $20m strata and commercial
- Common claim
- Paint spills, overspray and damage to floors and furnishings
- Gets complicated when
- High-rise and strata repaints, spray work, lead paint, rope access
Common cover
What cover do painters commonly use?
Most painters build their insurance from a few separate policies. These are the ones that come up most, and why they matter for this kind of work.
Public liability
Covers spills on carpet, overspray on cars and damage to a client's property, plus injury to others.
Tools and equipment
Spray rigs, ladders, scaffolds and sanders.
Commercial vehicles
Vans and utes carrying paint and equipment.
Personal accident and illness
Falls from ladders are a common injury for painters.
When it gets harder
When does insurance get more complicated for painters?
A residential repaint is simple to insure. These are the areas that complicate it.
Strata and high-rise repaints
Strata managers often ask for $20 million liability. Working on multi-storey buildings, swing stages or rope access may need specific declarations.
Spray painting
Spray work carries overspray risk across a wide area. Some policies treat it differently or apply conditions.
Lead paint
Older homes often have lead-based paint. Disturbing it can create health and contamination claims, and pollution exclusions may apply.
Illustrative examples
What does this look like in practice?
These are illustrative examples, not real clients, showing how the work changes the insurance.
The strata contract
A residential painter is invited to quote a strata repaint. The strata manager requires $20 million liability and a certificate of currency naming the owners corporation. Their current $5 million policy needs updating.
Cost
What affects the cost of insurance for painters?
These factors move premiums for painters.
| Factor | Impact | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Residential versus commercial | Major | Commercial and strata work is rated differently. |
| Work at heights | Moderate | Multi-storey and rope access work costs more. |
| Spray work | Moderate | Overspray risk can affect pricing. |
| Turnover and staff | Moderate | More jobs mean more exposure. |
| Claims history | Moderate | Previous property damage claims affect pricing. |
Common questions
Questions painters ask about insurance
How much public liability do painters need?
Residential clients often accept $5 million or $10 million. Builders, strata managers and commercial clients commonly ask for $10 million to $20 million.
Is overspray damage covered?
Generally yes under public liability, as damage to other people's property, subject to the policy's terms and excess.
Are painters covered for lead paint?
Not always. Pollution and contamination exclusions may apply. If you work on older properties, check how your policy treats lead paint.
Related trades
This page is general information only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and it is not a recommendation to buy any insurance product. Always read the policy wording and, where applicable, the Product Disclosure Statement.
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