Decorators and painters insurance · London
Decorators and painters insurance in London
Reviewed by Apex Insurance Brokers · Published 16 July 2026
London decorators and painters need cover shaped to how the trade actually works — public liability, employers liability where staff are on the books, tools in vans, and often trade-specific extensions. Decorating carries lower physical-risk than most trades but water damage from spilled paint or wallpaper paste, plus dropcloth accidents, still generate PL claims.
Key covers for decorators and painters
- Public liability — £1m-£5m for damage during work or injury to occupiers.
- Employers liability — £10m if you have staff or subcontracted painters.
- Tools cover — Sprayers, brushes, rollers, sanders, scaffolding, ladders.
- Commercial vehicle — Van cover with class-of-use for decorating.
- Contract works — Paint and wallpaper on site.
- Loss of income — If your tools are stolen and you can't work.
London-specific considerations
- ULEZ compliance — commercial vehicles that don't meet Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol standards face daily charges across all 32 boroughs, and tradespeople quoting for central jobs need to factor van-replacement or daily charge exposure into insurance and pricing.
- Congestion charge zone — the £15 daily charge applies to most vans working in the central zone Monday to Friday 7am-6pm and weekends 12-6pm; contractors doing repeated central London jobs often need commercial vehicle policies that recognise the additional wear and higher mileage.
- Terraced Victorian and Georgian stock — large tracts of inner London (Camden, Islington, Hackney, Southwark, Lambeth) are solid-wall pre-1919 housing with shared party walls, complex service runs, and heightened damage-to-neighbour exposure that public liability limits should reflect.
- Listed-building concentration — Kensington, Chelsea, Westminster and the City hold a high density of Grade II and Grade II* listed properties where any works need listed-building consent and any accidental damage is treated more seriously by insurers and by local authorities.
- High tourist and retail footfall — work on shopfronts, restaurants and hotels in the West End, Covent Garden and around major stations exposes tradespeople to third-party injury and business-interruption claims from unusually high public exposure.
- Corporate and estate clients — managing agents, property companies and Crown Estate contracts routinely require £5m-£10m public liability and named-broker documentation; a sole-trader £2m limit rarely clears procurement.
Trade-body considerations for decorators
Painting & Decorating Association (PDA) membership.
TrustMark / Which? Trusted Trader.
Lead paint handling protocols for older properties.
Working at Height Regulations still apply for exterior painting on scaffolding or ladders.
What can go wrong
Paint spill on customer's carpet — PL responds.
Sprayer overspray damaging neighbouring car — PL responds.
Injury from ladder collapse on exterior work — EL if employee, PL if third party.
Wallpaper adhesive causing water damage below.
Frequently asked
Is decorators' insurance cheaper than other trades?
Generally yes, because the physical risk is lower than trades working at height, with heat or on live services, and rating follows risk. How much lower depends on your turnover, whether you spray, work at height or take on commercial contracts, the tools and equipment you need covered, the limits and excess you choose and your claims record. We would rather quote on those than publish a figure that turns out to be wrong when you come to buy.
What about spray-work cover?
Standard PL covers overspray damage. Confirm at placement.
How much does decorators and painters insurance cost in London?
We do not publish premium figures, because a figure that is wrong at the point of buying is worse than no figure at all. What actually moves the price is your turnover, the mix of work you take on, how many people you employ, the value of tools, plant and materials you need covered, the limits and excess you choose, and your claims record. Give us those and we will come back with a real figure from the market rather than a guess.
Do I need employers liability in London?
Only if you employ others — then it's legally required at £5m minimum. Sole traders with no staff are exempt.
Are tools covered on my van insurance?
Not automatically. Tools-in-transit is a separate cover or extension. Ask specifically.
Related
- Public liability insurance London
- Employers liability insurance London
- Commercial vehicle insurance London
- Business insurance London
Apex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm reference number 724952. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. Trading address: QCS, 53 Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol BS1 4HQ · Serving tradespeople in London and the wider region.
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