Why is Workers’ Compensation Insurance Important When Choosing a Painter?

When hiring a painter to work on your home, you need to take an array of factors into consideration. One of the most important things on your checklist should always be whether the painter in question has Workers’ Compensation Insurance or not.

What is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Workers’ compensation is a mandatory insurance system that pays benefits when workers/employees are injured on the job. These benefits include death benefits, medical care, part of lost wages and permanent disability. It provides the employers immunity from civil lawsuits by employees over such injuries.

How does it help you?

If a painter injures himself or herself while in your home, you may be held liable for their injury. These policies protect you, the customer, from such liabilities. When a painter or a contractor offers lower bid prices, it might be because they do not have current insurance. Not worth the risk! Understand that an injured worker without this insurance is going to be compensated in only one way–civil litigation against the property owner i.e. you.

How Will I know if a Painter has one?

Asking to see a certificate is not good enough! Some painters even pay their first premium to get a certificate while discontinuing subsequent payments. Do your own research by requesting the name and phone number of their insurance agent to verify their status, preferably 24 hours after you receive the bid.

Is General Liability Insurance Enough?

General Liability only protects your personal property from damage and will allow for repair or replacement, if needed. However, if the painter with only general liability insurance is hurt while working on your property, it will not provide you with adequate protection.

We hope this post helped you realize that when it comes to insurance, a low price is not worth the risk.