Compare Van Insurance for Painters & Decorators

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Painters and decorators in the UK use vans to get to their jobs every day. A van helps them carry paint, rollers, sheets, ladders, and brushes. It also keeps their tools safe and protected while they work. If the van has a problem, is stolen, or gets damaged, work may come to a stop. When this happens, their money from work could stop too.

Van insurance helps protect your van, the tools you keep in it, and the people who use it for paid work. If your van is damaged or stolen, van insurance can help you get back to work fast. If there is an accident and a member of the public gets hurt while you are unloading tools or going up ladders, your insurance policies can help pay for compensation costs and legal costs. The right van insurance keeps your painting and decorating business going without long delays.

Standard car insurance or private van insurance will not cover painting and decorating work. You need business insurance or commercial van insurance if you carry things like tools, paint, or other materials from one job to another. If you don’t have the right level of cover, your claim could get refused. This can happen even if you are not to blame for the accident. A lot of painters and decorators look at different options for van insurance. This helps them to get the best cover and not pay more than they have to.

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What is van insurance for painters and decorators?

Van insurance for painters and decorators protects people who use their van for business purposes. It gives cover while driving to jobs, moving business equipment, and working at different locations each week.

In the UK, van insurance is a legal requirement for any van used on public roads. If you use your van for business purposes, such as painting homes or decorating commercial spaces, this must be shown in your policy documents. If the insurer does not know your van is used for work, the insurance provider could cancel the policy and refuse a claim.

Painters and decorators carry a wide range of tools and equipment that are expensive to replace. These items may include:

  • Paint sprayers and spray stations
  • Decorator tables and pasting tables
  • Hand tools and paintbrush sets
  • Stepladders and extension ladders
  • Sanding machines and dust extractors
  • Buckets, rollers and trays
  • Caulking and sealing tools

If tools are stolen or become damaged, the financial loss can be high. The right type of cover protects both the van and the business equipment inside it.

Why does van insurance matter for painters and decorators?

Painters and decorators face risks that standard van drivers do not deal with. They work in homes, offices, schools, shops, rental properties and building sites. The pace is often fast, with strict project deadlines and clients expecting tidy spaces.

Risks include:

  • Theft of tools or paint sprayers
  • Accidental damage to the van while unloading ladders
  • Damage to flooring or furniture while working
  • Long hours on the road between jobs
  • Driving in busy city areas with tight parking
  • Using ladders and heavy tools near members of the public
  • Parking the van outside overnight in new locations

If something goes wrong, business could stop immediately. A van insurance policy acts as a safety net and helps protect income.

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What types of van insurance cover are available for painters and decorators?

Choosing the right type of cover matters. Painters and decorators can select a base level of cover and then add business use suitable for their work.

1) Base level of cover

This shows what the insurance will pay for when a claim is made.

Type of Cover What It Includes Best For
Third party Covers damage to another vehicle or property Drivers who need the legal minimum
Third party fire and theft Third party plus fire and theft protection Drivers who store tools inside the van
Comprehensive cover Covers your van and others, including accidental damage Most painters and decorators who need wide protection
What types of van insurance cover are available for painters and decorators

2) Business use for painting and decorating work

This shows how the van is protected when used for work.

Type of Use What It Includes Best For
Business van insurance Cover for driving to jobs and carrying tools Self-employed painters and decorators
Commercial van insurance Cover for business purposes including delivery of goods Decorators carrying paint, fittings and ladders
Carriage of own goods Cover for transporting equipment and supplies between jobs Tradespeople carrying their own tools
Transit insurance Cover for goods transported in the van High-value spraying or sanding equipment
Fleet van insurance One policy for multiple vans and named drivers Decorating companies and limited firms

If the wrong type of cover is selected, the insurer may not accept a claim. It is important to match the policy to the way the van is used every week.

What optional extras help painters and decorators stay protected on the road?

Optional extras offer more support and help reduce downtime when something goes wrong.

Optional Extra What It Protects
Breakdown cover Help if the van fails during a job
Tools insurance Specialist painting and decorating tools
Transit insurance Paint sprayers, ladders and materials during transport
Vehicle replacement cover A temporary van during repairs
Windscreen cover Repair or replacement of cracked windscreens
Personal accident cover Support if the driver is badly injured
Legal expenses cover Help with legal action and legal costs
Public liability insurance Compensation if a member of the public is hurt
Professional indemnity insurance Claims linked to work or fittings supplied

These extras help keep projects on schedule and protect income.

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Who needs van insurance designed for painters and decorators?

This type of insurance is ideal for anyone who uses a van for their painting and decorating business.

This includes:

  • Self-employed painters
  • Domestic and commercial decorators
  • Tradespeople working inside rented homes
  • Painters working across different locations each week
  • Renovation and restoration decorators
  • Business owners with small decorating teams
  • Limited companies with two or more vans

If the van moves paint, tools or materials for paid work, then business use must be added to the policy.

What information do insurers ask for when giving a van insurance quote?

Insurance providers ask for details about the van, the work and the driver. This helps work out the insurance premiums and the level of risk.

They normally ask for:

  • Van make and model
  • Van registration number
  • Type of vehicle and fuel type
  • Market value of the van
  • Place of work and postcode
  • Level of cover needed
  • Named drivers on the policy
  • Years of insurance and claim discount history
  • Security features fitted to the van
  • Average value of equipment carried
  • Annual mileage and number of days worked
  • Storage location for the van overnight

Painters and decorators who carry high-value items often pay more because the theft risk is higher. Secure parking and added security features can help reduce insurance costs.

Do painters and decorators face higher risks than standard van drivers

Do painters and decorators face higher risks than standard van drivers?

Yes. Painting and decorating work involves more risks than many other types of business use.

Examples include:

  • Carrying expensive and desirable tools
  • Driving to unfamiliar locations every day
  • Parking in busy areas with limited security
  • Using ladders and equipment around members of the public
  • Working under time pressure to finish jobs
  • Long working days on the road

These risks can lead to higher insurance premiums if the policy does not match your daily work. The right cover helps protect decorating jobs from disruption.

How much does van insurance cost for painters and decorators?

The price depends on the value of the van, the equipment carried, the postcode, and the number of jobs you travel to each week. Tools that cost a lot and frequent travel to different locations can raise the premium.

Average UK prices for 2024–2025 are shown below.

Type of Decorating Work Typical Annual Cost
Domestic painters £700 – £1,100
Commercial decorators £800 – £1,250
Painters working at multiple sites £850 – £1,300
Spray painters with high-value tools £900 – £1,450
Renovation and restoration decorators £950 – £1,550
Limited companies with several vans £1,600 – £3,200 per van

You may pay more if you carry expensive powered tools, paint sprayers or sanding machines. Parking inside a garage or secure yard can help reduce the insurance premium.

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How can painters and decorators reduce van insurance costs?

There are ways to lower costs without reducing protection.

  • Park the van in a secure location
  • Take tools out of the van when possible
  • Use added security features such as trackers and alarms
  • Keep clear branding on doors and windows
  • Choose a voluntary excess you can manage
  • Protect your no claims discount
  • Compare van insurance costs before you renew

Paying annually instead of monthly instalments may also reduce the total cost.

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Does van insurance help protect income if the van is off the road?

Work can stop straight away if the van breaks down or tools are stolen. Extra cover can help reduce downtime and protect your schedule.

Useful extras include:

  • A courtesy van while repairs are happening
  • Breakdown cover for job-to-job travel
  • Tools insurance for powered and hand tools
  • Transit insurance for ladders, sprayers and paint tubs
  • Personal accident cover for the driver

These extras help keep work moving and help you stay on track with project deadlines.

Can decorating companies with more than one van get fleet cover?

Yes. Fleet van insurance can be used by decorating companies and limited firms that have two or more vans. It puts all vans under one policy instead of several renewal dates.

Fleet insurance works well when:

  • Different workers use the same van
  • New vans join the business during the year
  • Tools move between vans
  • Projects happen at more than one location

It can also help lower total van insurance costs for the business.

Can decorating companies with more than one van get fleet cover

Keep your decorating business covered with fleet van insurance

Can van insurance protect tools and painting equipment?

Van insurance protects the vehicle itself. It does not always protect what is inside. Painters who use expensive equipment should consider tools insurance or transit insurance.

These items are often covered:

  • Paint sprayers and spray stations
  • Sanders and dust extractors
  • Stepladders and extension ladders
  • Brushes, rollers and trays
  • Buckets and sealants
  • Decorating tables and paste tables

Some insurance providers only cover tools during working hours. Others offer cover day and night, but there may be storage rules that need to be followed.

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Can painters add personal use to a business van insurance policy?

Yes. Painters and decorators who use the same van for work and daily use can add personal use to the policy. If this is not in the personalised policy document, a claim may not be accepted.

FAQs About Van Insurance for Painters & Decorators

Yes. If the van has tools or materials meant for paid work, the policy will need to show business use.

No, tools are not protected if you do not add tools insurance to the policy.

No. Standard van insurance does not cover business purposes. You will need business insurance or commercial van insurance for that.

Yes. Comprehensive cover will protect your van and the other vehicles if there is accidental damage.

No. Personal accident cover is extra and not part of every plan. It helps the driver if they get hurt badly.

Yes, you can add named drivers to the policy. The cost will change based on the driver’s age and past driving record.

No, public liability insurance is different. It helps you if someone from the public gets hurt while you do your work.

Only when you add transit insurance or coverage for your own goods to the policy.

Yes. If you pick a voluntary excess that you can pay, it can bring the total price of the policy down.

Yes. The prices are not the same for each insurance company. A lot of decorators make the cost less when they look at different choices before they renew every year.

Yes, some UK insurers focus on trade-based van insurance. This often include cover for tools, the transit of materials, and public liability. The best way to get a specialist provider is to compare several van insurance quotes instead of picking just one insurer.

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Page last updated on: 05/12/2025

Page reviewed by: Tim Bailey

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