Question 1

What insurance do roofing contractors need?

Accepted Answer

Roofing contractors need at minimum: General Liability ($1M–$2M per occurrence — required by most GCs and permits), Workers' Compensation (required in most states with any employees, and roofing has one of the highest WC rates due to fall risk), and Commercial Auto (covers service vehicles carrying materials and equipment). Inland Marine for tools and materials is highly recommended, and some roofers carry Contractors Professional Liability for design-build or roof assessment work.

Question 2

Why is roofing insurance so expensive?

Accepted Answer

Roofing is categorized as a high-hazard trade by every insurance carrier. Fall risk is the primary driver — falls are the leading cause of death in construction, and roofers work at height daily. In addition, roofing involves property damage risk (a tarp that blows in a storm, water intrusion from an incomplete repair), severe weather exposure, and high-cost materials. Workers' comp for roofers can run $15–$25 per $100 of payroll — vs. $2–$5 for office workers. This high WC rate dominates roofing insurance costs.

Question 3

Do subcontract roofers need their own insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and GCs will require it. Any roofer working as a subcontractor needs their own GL policy and WC coverage (if they have workers). GCs require certificates of insurance (COIs) from all subs before work begins. If a sub roofer causes property damage or injures a third party and has no insurance, the GC's policy may be triggered — creating a legal dispute. Every subcontract roofer should carry their own $1M GL and WC at a minimum.

Question 4

Does roofing GL cover materials stored on-site?

Accepted Answer

No — GL covers third-party bodily injury and property damage during operations. Materials stored on a job site (shingles, underlayment, flashing) are covered by Inland Marine or a materials-in-transit policy, not GL. If materials are stolen from a job site or damaged by weather before installation, that is an Inland Marine claim. Building it into your pricing and carrying IM coverage protects against these common job site losses.

Question 5

What is the cheapest way to get roofing insurance?

Accepted Answer

The most cost-effective approach for roofing insurance: (1) Bundle GL and commercial auto through a single carrier for a multi-policy discount. (2) Maintain a clean claims history — a single roofing GL claim can increase your premium 15–30% at renewal. (3) Carry proper safety equipment and document it — some carriers offer safety credits for roofing contractors with documented fall protection programs. (4) Get multiple quotes — roofing GL rates vary significantly by carrier. (5) Consider a higher deductible on smaller tools coverage to reduce premium.

Business Type	Annual Premium	Primary Driver
Solo roofer (no employees)	$2,400–$6,000/year	GL + commercial auto
Small crew (2–4 roofers)	$8,000–$18,000/year	WC dominates at this scale
Mid-size roofing company (5–10)	$18,000–$40,000/year	WC + GL + fleet auto
Large commercial roofer (10+)	$40,000–$100,000+/year	WC, umbrella, professional liability

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Coverage Breakdown: What Every Roofer Needs

General Liability

Workers' Compensation

Commercial Auto

Inland Marine

Commercial Umbrella

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