Do I need workers' comp if I use 1099 subcontractors?

Possibly — this is one of the most dangerous assumptions in roofing. If your 1099 subcontractors are deemed employees by your state workers' comp board (which often uses an economic realities test rather than just the contract), you can be liable for their injuries. Many states presume construction workers are employees. Additionally, virtually every GC contract requires WC certificates from all subs. Using uninsured subs without confirmed certificates creates massive liability. Consult a licensed agent before relying solely on 1099 classification.

What does roofing GL NOT cover?

Roofing GL typically excludes: damage to the work itself (the new roof you installed that fails — that's a warranty/workmanship issue, not GL), your own tools and equipment (needs inland marine/equipment coverage), employee injuries (WC covers those), pollution from roofing materials (some carriers offer endorsements), and professional design errors on complex roofing systems (needs E&O). Some GL policies also exclude specific roofing operations — read your policy exclusions carefully.

What insurance does a storm restoration roofing contractor need?

Storm restoration roofers need everything above plus: (1) Insurance adjuster liaison E&O — if you're helping clients supplement claims, errors in documentation can create liability. (2) Public adjuster license in some states if you're negotiating with insurers on clients' behalf. (3) Robust completed operations coverage — storm work often involves insurance-funded repairs where the homeowner later disputes scope or quality. (4) Cyber liability if you're handling client insurance claim data digitally. Work with a broker experienced in storm restoration contracting specifically.

What certificates do roofers need on file?

Standard roofing contractor insurance certificate requirements: GL ($1M–$2M per occurrence), WC (even if optional in your state — GCs require it), commercial auto, and additional insured endorsements naming the property owner or GC. Keep digital copies of all certificates and request updated certificates from all your subcontractors before they set foot on a job site. Expired certificates create gap-in-coverage liability for you if a sub has an uninsured incident on your site.

Do I need workers' comp if I use 1099 subcontractors?

Possibly — this is one of the most dangerous assumptions in roofing. If your 1099 subcontractors are deemed employees by your state workers' comp board (which often uses an economic realities test rather than just the contract), you can be liable for their injuries. Many states presume construction workers are employees. Additionally, virtually every GC contract requires WC certificates from all subs. Using uninsured subs without confirmed certificates creates massive liability. Consult a licensed agent before relying solely on 1099 classification.

What does roofing GL NOT cover?

Roofing GL typically excludes: damage to the work itself (the new roof you installed that fails — that's a warranty/workmanship issue, not GL), your own tools and equipment (needs inland marine/equipment coverage), employee injuries (WC covers those), pollution from roofing materials (some carriers offer endorsements), and professional design errors on complex roofing systems (needs E&O). Some GL policies also exclude specific roofing operations — read your policy exclusions carefully.

What insurance does a storm restoration roofing contractor need?

Storm restoration roofers need everything above plus: (1) Insurance adjuster liaison E&O — if you're helping clients supplement claims, errors in documentation can create liability. (2) Public adjuster license in some states if you're negotiating with insurers on clients' behalf. (3) Robust completed operations coverage — storm work often involves insurance-funded repairs where the homeowner later disputes scope or quality. (4) Cyber liability if you're handling client insurance claim data digitally. Work with a broker experienced in storm restoration contracting specifically.

What certificates do roofers need on file?

Standard roofing contractor insurance certificate requirements: GL ($1M–$2M per occurrence), WC (even if optional in your state — GCs require it), commercial auto, and additional insured endorsements naming the property owner or GC. Keep digital copies of all certificates and request updated certificates from all your subcontractors before they set foot on a job site. Expired certificates create gap-in-coverage liability for you if a sub has an uninsured incident on your site.

Trades & Construction

Business Insurance for Roofers

Roofing ranks among the most dangerous trades — falls, weather damage, and completed operations claims make robust insurance non-negotiable. Here's exactly what you need.

$150–$500/ monthRoofing GL is among the most expensive of any trade due to fall risk and completed operations exposure. Solo roofer: $150–$280/month GL. 3-person crew with WC: $400–$800/month. Large commercial roofing firm: $1,000–$3,000+/month.

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Coverage Types for Roofers

These are the key insurance policies most relevant to your business type — ranked by importance.

🛡️

General Liability

Required

Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage from your roofing operations. Critical: ensure your GL policy includes roofing as a covered classification — some standard BOP policies exclude roofing work over a certain pitch or height. Completed operations coverage for post-job leak claims is essential.

🦺

Workers' Compensation

Required

Roofing has one of the highest workers' comp rates of any trade — falls from height are the leading cause of construction fatalities. WC is mandatory in most states for any employees and is required by virtually every GC and property owner as a condition of letting roofers on-site. Solo operators: verify your state rules — some require WC even without employees.

🚐

Commercial Auto

Required

Covers work trucks and trailers used to haul roofing materials, equipment, and crews. Your personal auto policy won't respond to business use accidents. Physical damage, hired/non-owned auto, and trailer coverage are all important for roofing operations.

🔧

Inland Marine / Equipment

Highly Recommended

Covers roofing equipment: nail guns, compressors, lift equipment, slate cutters, heat welding tools, and materials on job sites. Theft from job sites is common — especially pneumatic tools. Inland marine covers equipment at any location, in transit, and at temporary job sites.

☂️

Umbrella / Excess Liability

Highly Recommended

A single roof collapse, major leak, or multi-person fall injury can quickly exhaust a $1M GL limit. An umbrella policy adds $1M–$5M in additional coverage at relatively low cost. Essential for commercial roofing contractors and any firm doing multi-story or large commercial work.

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What You Need to Know

→Roofing GL rates are 3–5× higher than typical contractor rates because of fall risk and completed operations exposure (leaks discovered months after job completion).
→Your GL policy MUST include roofing classification — many standard policies exclude steep-slope, commercial, or multi-story roofing. Read your declarations carefully.
→Completed operations claims are the biggest roofing liability: a homeowner discovers a leak 6 months after new roof installation. Your GL must extend coverage to post-completion claims.
→Storm chasers and insurance restoration roofers face additional exposure: misrepresentation to insurance adjusters and improper supplements can trigger E&O and fraud claims.
→Most states require contractor licensing for roofing — some (FL, TX, LA) are especially strict after hurricane seasons with specific roofing contractor license categories.

What Does It Cost?

$150–$500per month

Roofing GL is among the most expensive of any trade due to fall risk and completed operations exposure. Solo roofer: $150–$280/month GL. 3-person crew with WC: $400–$800/month. Large commercial roofing firm: $1,000–$3,000+/month.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Roofing consistently ranks as one of the most expensive trades to insure because of three factors: (1) Fall risk — fatal falls from roofs account for a significant share of all construction fatalities, driving WC and GL rates up. (2) Completed operations exposure — roof leaks can cause catastrophic interior damage months after installation, creating large delayed claims. (3) Weather exposure — hail and storm damage claims are complex and often disputed. Roofing GL is often 3–5× the cost of, say, painting or drywall GL.

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