Painter Insurance in District of Columbia
Our lowest real general liability price for this trade is $378/yr, a real quote. Tell us about your work and get your own quote in a few minutes.
Also for interior/exterior painting, staining, and wallpaper.
Prefer to talk? Call (929) 594-5450
What painting contractor insurance costs in District of Columbia
Our lowest general liability price for painting contractors is $378/yr, a real quote for a solo painting contractor in Maryland. It is a quote, not a policy we have bound. That is our lowest real price, not an average or a District of Columbia rate. Your price usually goes up with sales, payroll, the type of work you do and claims.
Most painting contractors who get a high quote aren't paying for the risk. They're paying for how they got classified. Your payroll, the work you actually do, and your claims move the price a lot more than your zip code does.
| Coverage | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General liability (quote) | from $378/yr | Our lowest real quote for this trade: a solo painting contractor in Maryland. A quote, not a bound policy. |
| Workers' comp | Priced on payroll | Required in almost every state once you have employees. Usually your biggest line once you've got a crew. |
| Commercial auto | Add-on | For the work truck or van. Personal auto won't pay a claim if you were working. |
The price shown is the lowest general liability premium in our own book for this trade as of 2026-10-02, labelled quote (a real quote, not a bound policy). Your premium depends on your work, sales, payroll, location, limits and claims. It is not a quote or an offer of insurance.
What moves your price
- ✓Whether you just want general liability or add your tools and a truck
- ✓Payroll and how many people you have (workers' comp is usually the biggest line)
- ✓Your annual sales
- ✓Your claims over the last 3-5 years
- ✓Interior vs. exterior, and any work above two stories
- ✓Spray vs. brush/roller
- ✓Your state, its licensing and bond rules, and how litigious it is
The coverage a DC painting contractor needs
Covers you if you damage a client's property or someone gets hurt on the job. Every GC, property manager, and permit office wants to see it, usually $1M/$2M with them added as additional insured.
Covers your tools and gear if they get stolen or wrecked, on site or in the truck. Cheap to add, and it's the loss most trades actually have.
Required in almost every state once you have employees, and most GCs want it even from subs. Priced on payroll, and usually your biggest line once you've got a crew.
Covers your work truck or van. Your personal auto policy won't pay a claim if you were working, and more job sites are asking for proof of it.
The endorsements GCs and property managers ask for before you start. We put them on the COI the day you bind.
What's different about District of Columbia
Workers' comp in District of Columbia
The District makes you carry workers' comp from your first employee.
Contractor licensing in District of Columbia
DC licenses contractors through DLCP, including a Home Improvement Contractor license, and licenses the trades.
Bond requirement
DC's Home Improvement Contractor license requires a bond.
Prefer to talk? Call (929) 594-5450
Frequently asked questions
How much does painting contractor insurance cost in District of Columbia?
Our lowest general liability price for painting contractors is $378/yr, a real quote for a solo painting contractor in Maryland. It is a quote, not a policy we have bound. That is our lowest real price, not an average or a District of Columbia rate. Your price usually goes up with sales, payroll, the type of work you do and claims.
What does a GC need me to carry?
Almost always a $1M/$2M general liability policy with them added as additional insured, workers' comp if you've got a crew, and often a waiver of subrogation. Set the policy up with a blanket additional insured and we can turn those COIs around same-day.
Do I legally need insurance as a painting contractor?
Once you have employees, workers' comp is required in almost every state. A lot of states and cities also won't issue or renew your contractor license or permit without proof of general liability, and sometimes a bond. And even where the law doesn't require it, no GC or property manager will let you on the job without it.
How fast can I get covered and get a COI?
Most trades bind same-day, and we send the COI the minute you bind. Often the same day the GC or property manager asks for it.
Get your quote
We know you're busy - we can get you a quote without needing hours of your time.