Does a Painter Need Insurance Before the First Job?

Yes, a painter might need insurance before the first paid job.

If a client asks for proof of insurance before you start painting, you need to start your quote right away. The insurance is called workers' compensation. It proves your business has a policy, even if you don’t have employees. This is a common request. You can get it before your first job starts.

What is workers' compensation and why do you need it?

Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that pays for injuries to people who work for your business. A ghost policy is different. It is only for a business where the owner works alone, with no employees and no subcontractors of any kind, even subs who carry their own insurance or hand you a certificate. If anyone else works for you — an employee, a subcontractor, a 1099 worker, day labor, or a family member who helps — you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy. A ghost policy does not cover you, the owner, if you get hurt. You might still need it to show you have a policy, especially if the client asks for proof before you start. It pays nothing to you, but it proves your business has coverage.

What if you don’t have insurance and the client asks for proof?

If you start a job without insurance and the client asks for proof, you might be asked to stop. You don’t want to lose your first job because of this. It’s better to get coverage first. Your state’s workers’ compensation office can tell you what your state needs.

How fast can you get insurance before the first job?

You can get your quote in minutes. It’s fast and online. You answer a few questions about your work and where you live. Then you get a real price. If you agree to the price, you can pay for it by card. Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of your payment and signed documents. Then your certificate is ready to download. You can hand it to the client before starting the job. It’s like filling out a form and clicking a button.

What happens if you wait to get insurance after the job starts?

If you wait and the client asks for proof, you might not be able to show it. You might lose the job. It’s better to get the insurance before you start. Your quote will tell you if UNO sells it in your state.

What is a ghost policy and does it cover you?

A ghost policy is insurance for a business with no employees and no subcontractors. It proves coverage exists. But it does not cover you, the owner, if you get hurt. You reject coverage for yourself when you buy it, so it pays no medical bills or lost wages to you. If you want a policy that pays you when you get hurt, you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy.

Work above 15 feet can't be covered by this program. If any of your painting goes that high, you need regular workers' comp instead.

What do you need to know about class codes and prices?

Each kind of work has a code that helps set the price. Painting is a specific type of work and has its own code. Your quote will show the real code and price for your work. The price depends on where you live and what you do. You don’t need to know the code yourself — your quote takes care of it. Just answer the questions and get the right price for your job.

What if UNO does not sell in your state?

UNO sells ghost policies in 14 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota and Virginia. Your quote will tell you if your state is one of them. If it is not, UNO cannot sell you a policy there, and your state’s workers’ compensation office can tell you your state’s rules.

What should you do if a client asks for proof before the job starts?

If a client asks for proof before the job starts, you should start your quote right away. You can see your price in minutes by starting your quote. Answer the questions about your work and where you live. Then you get a real price. If you agree, you pay by card. Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of your payment and signed documents. Then you can download your certificate. You can show it to the client and start the job. It’s better to get it before the job starts than to lose the chance to work.

What happens after you pay?

After Cimarron issues your policy, you get your certificate of insurance. You can download it and show it to the client. You can also keep a copy for your records. Once Cimarron issues your policy, it’s active and ready to use. The premium is fully earned, so there is no refund after the policy is issued. Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of your payment and signed documents.