Roofing Contractor Insurance That Helps Protect Your Business.
Roofing comes with unique risks—from working at heights to protecting customer property. Our agents compare options from 20+ top-rated carriers to help build insurance solutions tailored to your roofing business.
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Our simple, guided process makes reviewing your insurance easy. We take the time to understand your needs, compare options across top carriers, and present clear results—so you can make a confident decision.
01
Have A Conversation
02
We Shop The Markets
03
Review The Results
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You Decide!
Strong Protection for a High-Risk Trade
With FirstMark Insurance’s dedicated commercial insurance team, you get experienced agents comparing coverage from over 20 insurance carriers to help protect your roofing business, employees, vehicles, tools, equipment, and operations—with strong coverage and competitive pricing.
Roofing contractors work in one of the more demanding areas of the construction industry. Working at heights, using specialized equipment, handling heavy materials, and operating at residential and commercial jobsites can create significant risks for both contractors and their employees.
Whether you specialize in residential roofing, commercial roofing, roof replacement, repairs, or new construction, roofing contractor insurance can help protect your business against accidents, property damage, employee injuries, equipment losses, and other unexpected events.
Because roofing operations can present greater risks than many other construction trades, having insurance specifically designed around your roofing business is important. The right combination of coverage can protect your financial investment while helping you meet insurance requirements from customers, general contractors, property owners, and lenders.
What Insurance Does a Roofing Contractor Need?
Roofing contractor insurance isn't a single policy. Instead, several commercial insurance coverages can be combined based on your operations, employees, vehicles, equipment, and the types of projects you perform.
General Liability Insurance
Roofing contractor general liability insurance is one of the most important coverages for a roofing business. Roofing work creates the potential for accidental property damage and third-party injuries.
For example, falling materials could damage a vehicle, a customer could trip over equipment at a jobsite, or roofing operations could accidentally damage another portion of a building. General liability insurance can help protect your business against qualifying claims involving bodily injury and property damage.
Roofers should carefully review their liability policies because insurance companies can have different requirements, limitations, and exclusions regarding roofing operations.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Employee injuries are a significant exposure for roofing contractors. Workers regularly encounter ladders, heights, power tools, heavy materials, weather conditions, and potentially slippery surfaces.
Workers' compensation insurance can provide benefits to qualifying employees who experience work-related injuries or illnesses. Requirements vary depending on where your business operates, but workers' compensation is an important component of an insurance program for roofing companies with employees.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Roofing businesses frequently use pickup trucks, work vans, trailers, and other vehicles to transport employees, tools, materials, and equipment between jobsites.
Commercial auto insurance can provide liability and physical damage protection for qualifying business-owned vehicles. Businesses should also discuss trailers and permanently attached equipment with their insurance agent to make sure vehicles and equipment are appropriately insured.
Roofing Tools and Equipment Insurance
Roofing contractors rely on a substantial investment in tools and portable equipment. Tools and equipment coverage, often written as inland marine insurance, can provide protection for qualifying equipment while it is being transported, used at a jobsite, or temporarily stored away from your primary business location.
Coverage may be available for equipment such as:
- Nail guns and compressors
- Generators
- Power tools
- Ladders
- Safety equipment
- Specialty roofing tools
- Portable machinery and equipment
Larger or specialized equipment may require separate contractors equipment coverage.
Commercial Property Insurance
Roofing companies that own or lease an office, warehouse, shop, or storage facility may need commercial property insurance. Coverage can help protect buildings, office equipment, materials, supplies, and other business property against certain covered losses.
Commercial Umbrella or Excess Liability Insurance
Roofing accidents have the potential to result in significant liability claims. A commercial umbrella or excess liability policy can provide additional liability limits above certain underlying insurance policies.
Higher liability limits may also be required when working for general contractors, commercial property owners, municipalities, or other larger organizations.
Insurance for Different Types of Roofing Contractors
Roofing companies can specialize in very different types of projects and materials. Insurance companies will typically want to understand exactly what type of roofing work your company performs.
Coverage may be available for contractors specializing in:
- Residential roofing
- Commercial roofing
- Roof replacement
- Roof repair
- Asphalt shingle roofing
- Metal roofing
- Flat and low-slope roofing
- New construction roofing
- Roof maintenance
- Storm damage repair
Certain operations may be treated differently by insurance companies based on factors such as building height, roofing materials, project size, heat application, subcontractor usage, and the percentage of residential versus commercial work performed.
Roofing Contractors and Subcontractors
Many roofing businesses use subcontractors to supplement their own crews or perform portions of a project. Insurance companies may have specific requirements regarding subcontracted work.
Roofing contractors should maintain procedures for verifying subcontractor insurance and obtaining current certificates of insurance. Written subcontractor agreements and additional insured requirements may also be appropriate depending on the project.
Hiring an independent subcontractor does not automatically eliminate your business's potential liability. Your insurance agent should understand how extensively you use subcontractors and the types of work they perform.
Builders Risk Insurance for Roofing Projects
Roofing contractors involved in new construction or substantial renovation projects may encounter builders risk insurance. Builders risk can provide coverage for a building or structure while construction is underway, including certain materials and supplies intended to become part of the completed project.
The property owner, developer, or general contractor may purchase the builders risk policy, so roofing contractors should understand which party is responsible for obtaining coverage before work begins.
Protect Your Roofing Business
A roofing company represents a significant investment in equipment, vehicles, employees, customer relationships, and professional reputation. An unexpected accident or lawsuit can put those investments at risk.
The appropriate roofing insurance program depends on factors including the type of roofing you perform, annual revenue, payroll, number of employees, subcontractor usage, equipment, vehicles, project size, and claims history.
Working with an independent insurance agent allows you to compare coverage options from multiple insurance companies and find an insurance program designed around the needs of your roofing business.
FAQs
What insurance does a roofing contractor need?
Roofing contractors commonly need general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, tools and equipment, and commercial property insurance. Commercial umbrella or excess liability and other specialized coverages may also be appropriate depending on the company's operations and contracts.
How much does roofing contractor insurance cost?
Insurance costs depend on factors such as annual revenue, payroll, number of employees, type of roofing performed, building heights, subcontractor costs, vehicles, equipment, claims history, and coverage limits. Because roofing presents significant risks, premiums can differ considerably between insurance companies.
Does roofing contractor insurance cover tools and equipment?
Not necessarily. Subcontractors generally should maintain their own insurance coverage. General contractors should verify subcontractor insurance requirements and maintain certificates of insurance. Policy requirements regarding subcontractors can vary considerably between insurance companies.
Does roofing contractor insurance cover subcontractors?
Subcontractors generally should carry their own insurance. Roofing contractors should verify subcontractor coverage and maintain current certificates of insurance. Insurance companies may also have specific subcontractor requirements involving coverage limits, written contracts, additional insured status, and the types of work being subcontracted.