Who this page is for
This page is for Virginia residential, commercial and specialty painting contractors. Ford Agency works with one-person artisan businesses, established painting companies and operations that need a more specialized market review.
Typical painting operations
- Interior and exterior painting
- Surface preparation and pressure washing
- Staining, sealing and coating application
- Industrial or specialty coatings when fully disclosed
Important differences within this trade
Two contractors using the same trade label can present very different exposures. Helpful distinctions include:
- Exterior height and scaffold use
- Residential versus commercial or industrial locations
- Spray application, solvents and specialty coatings
- Lead, surface preparation and overspray potential
A residential repaint operation differs substantially from industrial coating work. Heights, spray methods, products, preparation work and lead-related activity need a clear description.
Coverage conversations to have
General liability and completed work
General liability may respond to certain third-party bodily-injury or property-damage claims, subject to the policy. It should not be treated as a warranty for faulty workmanship. Coverage for completed operations, subcontractor-caused loss, property in your care, pollution or professional mistakes depends on policy wording and endorsements.
Overspray and damage to customer property
Overspray, spills, surface-preparation damage and accidental damage to furnishings or finished surfaces are important underwriting concerns. Coverage depends on the circumstances and policy terms, including exclusions involving property being worked on or property in the contractor’s care, custody or control.
Vehicles, trailers, tools and equipment
Work trucks, vans and trailers generally call for a commercial-auto discussion. Sprayers, pressure washers, ladders, scaffolding and other mobile property may need inland marine or contractors-equipment coverage. Leaving property in a vehicle does not mean the auto policy covers it.
Employees and workers’ compensation
Employee duties, payroll by class, height, ladder and scaffold use, lifting, machinery and driving affect the workers’ compensation review. Virginia requirements depend on the facts, and subcontractor employees can affect the statutory count. Use the official Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission guidance for current rules.
Paint products, preparation and pollution liability
Paints, stains, solvents, coatings, spray application, wash water, lead, mold, asbestos and surface-preparation dust can create pollution exposures that may not be fully addressed by an ordinary general liability policy. Pollution liability may deserve review, particularly for industrial coatings, restoration or work in older buildings.
Commercial umbrella
An umbrella may provide additional limits over scheduled underlying policies when required by a customer or appropriate for the operation. It does not automatically cover every exclusion or provide identical coverage over every underlying policy.
Subcontractors, certificates and written requirements
Keep written agreements and evidence of insurance from subcontractors. When a customer asks for additional insured, waiver of subrogation, primary-and-noncontributory wording or special limits, send the written requirement. A certificate is generally evidence of insurance and does not ordinarily amend a policy.
What to send Ford Agency
- A detailed description and percentage of each operation
- Interior, exterior, residential, commercial and industrial percentages
- Maximum working height and details about ladders, lifts or scaffolding
- Paints, coatings, solvents and application methods used
- Annual sales, payroll and employee count
- Subcontracted cost, trades used and risk-transfer practices
- Vehicle, driver, trailer, tool and equipment information
- Current policies, recent loss runs and requested effective date
- Contracts, bid specifications or certificate requirements when available