Before You Hire a Painter, Ask for a Certificate of Insurance

Getting your house painted may seem like a straightforward project. You get a few quotes, pick a color, schedule the work, and look forward to a fresh new look.

But before the first ladder goes up against your house, there is one important question you should ask:

Can you please provide a current Certificate of Insurance?

This applies not only to painters, but also to roofers, carpenters, electricians, landscapers, tree workers, masons, plumbers, handymen, and just about anyone doing work at your home.

A Certificate of Insurance, often called a COI, is a document that shows what insurance coverage a contractor carries. It does not replace the insurance policy, but it gives you a quick way to confirm that the contractor has active coverage in place.

And that matters more than many homeowners realize.

Why a Certificate of Insurance Matters

When someone works on your property, things can go wrong.

A painter could spill paint on your roof, siding, driveway, patio, landscaping, or interior flooring. A ladder could fall and damage a vehicle. Overspray could affect a neighbor’s property. A worker could fall off a ladder or get injured using equipment.

Without the right insurance, these situations can quickly become complicated.

You may assume your homeowners insurance will automatically respond, but that is not always the case. Even when it does, you may be dealing with deductibles, claim history concerns, coverage questions, or legal expenses that could have been avoided by hiring a properly insured contractor.

Requesting a Certificate of Insurance is a simple step that helps protect you before the work begins.

What Coverage Should Your Painter or Contractor Have?

When reviewing a contractor’s Certificate of Insurance, you are not just checking whether they have “insurance.” You want to make sure they have the right types of coverage.

At a minimum, most contractors working at your home should carry the following:

1. General Liability Insurance

General Liability is one of the most important coverages to look for.

This coverage can help protect against claims involving property damage or bodily injury caused by the contractor’s work.

For example, general liability may come into play if:

• A painter damages your siding, roof, windows, floors, or landscaping
• Paint overspray damages a vehicle or neighboring property
• A ladder falls and damages your home or someone else’s property
• A visitor is injured because of the contractor’s operations

For many residential contractors, we like to see at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate in general liability limits. Higher-risk contractors may need more.

2. Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ Compensation is critical.

This coverage applies when an employee is injured on the job. Painting, roofing, tree work, carpentry, and many other trades involve ladders, tools, equipment, and physical labor. Injuries can happen.

If a contractor has employees, they should generally carry workers’ compensation coverage. If they do not, and someone gets injured while working on your property, you could be pulled into a difficult situation.

Do not assume that a small contractor or sole proprietor does not need coverage. Ask the question. Get documentation. Your insurance agent can help you review what is provided.

3. Commercial Auto Insurance

If the contractor is using vehicles for business, they should have Commercial Auto Insurance.

This is especially important if they are bringing vans, trucks, trailers, lifts, or equipment to your property. Personal auto insurance may not properly cover business use.

Commercial auto may apply if a contractor damages your property with a vehicle or if an accident occurs while operating a business vehicle related to the job.

4. Umbrella or Excess Liability Insurance

For larger jobs or higher-risk work, it is smart to ask whether the contractor carries an Umbrella or Excess Liability policy.

This provides additional liability limits above the underlying general liability, auto liability, and sometimes employers liability policies.

For example, if you are hiring a roofer, tree company, large painting crew, or contractor doing significant work at your home, higher liability limits can provide added protection.

5. Professional Liability, If Design or Consulting Is Involved

Most house painters may not need professional liability coverage. But some contractors provide design advice, consulting, engineering, architectural input, or project management services.

If the contractor is giving professional recommendations or creating plans, Professional Liability or Errors and Omissions Insurance may be appropriate.

6. Property Coverage for Their Own Tools and Equipment

A contractor may also carry insurance for their own tools, equipment, and materials. This is often called Inland Marine or Contractor’s Equipment Coverage.

This coverage protects the contractor’s property, not yours, but it can still be a sign that the contractor runs a more professional operation.

What Should You Look for on the Certificate?

When a contractor provides a Certificate of Insurance, review the basics:

• The contractor’s name matches the person or company you are hiring
• The policies are currently active
• General liability is listed
• Workers’ compensation is listed, if applicable
• Commercial auto is listed, if vehicles are used for the job
• Umbrella or excess liability is listed for larger or higher-risk work
• Coverage limits appear reasonable for the size and risk of the project
• The insurance carrier names are shown
• The certificate comes from an insurance agency or broker, not just a homemade document

You can also ask to be listed as a certificate holder. For larger jobs, you may want to ask whether you should be added as an additional insured on the contractor’s general liability policy. That is a more specific insurance status and should be discussed with your insurance agent.

Be Careful With “I’m Covered” Answers

A contractor may say, “Yes, I’m insured.”

That is a start, but it is not enough.

Ask for the Certificate of Insurance. A professional contractor should be used to this request. In many cases, they can have their insurance agent send it directly to you.

If a contractor hesitates, cannot provide one, or gives you an expired certificate, that is a red flag.

What About Subcontractors?

This is another important issue.

Your painter or contractor may hire subcontractors to do part of the job. If so, you should ask whether those subcontractors are also insured.

A contractor’s insurance may not automatically protect you from every issue involving uninsured subcontractors. For larger projects, it is reasonable to ask how subcontractors are handled and whether they are required to carry their own general liability and workers’ compensation coverage.

Your Homeowners Policy Is Not a Substitute for Contractor Insurance

Your homeowners insurance is designed to protect you from many personal property and liability risks. It is not intended to act as the insurance program for a contractor working at your home.

Hiring properly insured contractors helps reduce the chance that a contractor’s mistake becomes your insurance problem.

Before you begin a painting project or hire any contractor, request a Certificate of Insurance and take a few minutes to review it.

It is a simple step that can help protect your home, your finances, and your peace of mind.

Need Help Reviewing a Contractor’s Certificate of Insurance?

If you are a client and you are unsure whether a contractor’s insurance looks appropriate, send us the certificate before the work begins. We are happy to help you review the basics and point out any concerns.

A fresh coat of paint is great. Avoiding an uncovered mess is even better.

Call us with any questions. We’re here to help!

Page Insurance Ltd