Roofers Insurance

Roofing contractors need a specific bundle of commercial insurance coverages — general liability, workers' compensation, and commercial auto at minimum — to protect against the trade's outsized fall, property-damage, and jobsite liability exposures. Most roofing businesses pay $4,000–$18,000 per year for a core package, depending on payroll, revenue, and claims history. Who this is for: roofing contractors, subcontractors, and specialty roofers seeking commercial coverage in the US.

TL;DR — Key Takeaways

• Roofing is among the highest-risk trades for workers' comp: NCCI base rates for roofing classifications (e.g., class code 5551) routinely run $15–$30 per $100 of payroll before experience modification.
• General liability for roofers typically carries $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate limits; most GCs and property owners require this minimum before allowing crews on a jobsite.
• A separate inland marine / tools & equipment policy covers the power tools, nail guns, and ladders that a standard commercial property policy often excludes off-premises.
• Completed-operations coverage (part of GL) is critical: roof leaks and damage claims frequently surface months or years after the job is done.
• Subcontractors you hire must carry their own coverage or you risk absorbing their losses — always collect certificates of insurance (COIs).

What Coverages Do Roofers Actually Need?

Roofing combines height work, heavy materials, and exposure to finished property — a combination that creates multiple simultaneous loss scenarios. Here are the core policies and what each covers:

Cost ranges reflect small-to-midsize roofing contractors (under $2M in annual revenue) in competitive US markets. High-loss-cost states and large payrolls push premiums toward or above the top of these ranges.

Why Is Roofing Insurance So Expensive?

Roofing consistently ranks among the most hazardous construction trades. Falls from elevation account for the largest share of fatalities in roofing (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries). Insurers price this risk into both workers' comp and GL:

• Workers' comp class 5551 (roofing — all kinds) carries some of the highest manual rates in NCCI states. A 10-person crew earning $600,000 in total payroll could generate a base workers' comp premium of $90,000–$180,000 before the experience modification rate (EMR) is applied.
• GL completed-operations exposure is elevated because roof failures and water intrusion claims often appear 12–36 months post-installation, long after the crew has left the site.
• Property-damage exposure is high: a crew working on a $800,000 custom home can damage far more than the cost of the roofing job itself if materials fall or moisture infiltrates.

Carriers managing this risk look closely at: years in business, EMR (target ≤1.0 to remain competitive), safety programs, subcontractor management, type of roofing (residential shingle vs. commercial flat/TPO/EPDM vs. metal), and whether work is done at height over 3 stories.

How GL Completed-Operations Works for Roofers

General liability for contractors is split into two coverage parts: premises/operations (injuries and damage during the job) and completed operations (claims that arise after the work is finished). For roofers, completed-operations is often the larger long-term exposure.

Key mechanics: - GL is typically written on an occurrence basis, meaning the policy in force when the damage occurs (not when reported) responds — important for slow-developing leaks. - The aggregate limit for completed operations is usually separate from the general aggregate (check your declarations page). - If you finish a commercial flat roof in June and a drain blockage causes interior water damage the following March, the completed-operations portion of the GL is the coverage that responds. - Most GC contracts and commercial property leases require the roofing sub to maintain completed-operations coverage for 1–2 years after project completion — because occurrence-based GL responds based on the policy in force when the damage occurs, keep your coverage continuous.

Workers' Comp for Roofing Contractors: State Requirements and EMR

Workers' compensation is mandatory for employees in virtually every US state [verify state for sole proprietor exemptions]. In most states, the threshold is 1 employee to trigger the requirement.

Experience Modification Rate (EMR): After 3+ years of coverage, your payroll and loss history generate an EMR from NCCI (or your state's rating bureau). An EMR above 1.0 means you pay more than average; below 1.0 means a credit. A roofing contractor with an EMR of 1.25 pays 25% more in workers' comp premium than the industry average.

Subcontractor trap: If a subcontractor you hire cannot produce a valid workers' comp certificate, most carriers will add that sub's payroll to your policy at audit — at your roofing class code rate. Always collect and verify COIs before work starts.

Owner/officer exclusions: In many states, owners can elect to exclude themselves from workers' comp coverage. This reduces premium but means a personally injured owner has no workers' comp benefits. Rules vary significantly by state [verify state].

How to Get Roofers Insurance in 5 Steps

1. Gather your business data. You will need: entity type, years in business, annual gross receipts, total payroll by employee type (crews vs. office), number of owned vehicles, subcontractor costs paid in the prior year, and your current EMR if you have one.
2. Define your coverage needs. Identify minimum limits required by your key clients or GC contracts (most require $1M/$2M GL + $1M auto + statutory WC at minimum).
3. Work with a broker who specializes in contractors. A standard commercial lines agent may have limited access to markets that write roofing — the trade is non-preferred at many carriers. Specialist brokers access surplus lines markets when admitted markets decline.
4. Submit a complete application. Carriers underwrite roofing closely. Expect questions about: roof type mix (residential vs. commercial), maximum building height, safety/OSHA compliance program, subcontractor vetting process, and prior claims history (5 years).
5. Review the binder and COI before your next job. Confirm that additional insured endorsements, waivers of subrogation, and primary/noncontributory language match what your GC or property owner contract requires.

Real-World Example: A Mid-Sized Florida Roofing Contractor

This is an illustrative scenario, not a guarantee of any specific outcome or pricing.

Profile: A roofing contractor based in central Florida with 8 employees, $1.1M in annual revenue, 60% residential re-roofing, 40% commercial flat roof (TPO), and a clean 3-year loss history (EMR: 0.89).

Estimated annual premium package:

Florida's hurricane exposure and high litigation environment push GL and auto premiums above national averages. However, this contractor's below-1.0 EMR saves roughly 11% on workers' comp versus the manual rate. A prior-year claim of $40,000+ would likely push the EMR above 1.0 and add $3,000–$6,000 to the annual package.

FAQ

What insurance do roofers need?

Roofers need, at minimum: general liability (including completed operations), workers' compensation for any employees, and commercial auto for company vehicles. Most also need inland marine coverage for tools and equipment, and an umbrella policy when working on larger commercial projects.

How much does roofers insurance cost?

A small roofing contractor (under $500K revenue, 3–5 employees) typically pays $8,000–$20,000 per year for GL plus workers' comp. Mid-sized contractors ($1M–$3M revenue) often pay $20,000–$50,000+ once workers' comp is factored in. The dominant cost driver is workers' comp, which is priced on payroll at some of the highest class-code rates in construction.

Do roofing subcontractors need their own insurance?

Yes. Subcontractors you hire should carry their own general liability and workers' compensation. If a sub you hire lacks workers' comp and one of their workers is injured on your jobsite, your policy may be implicated. At premium audit, carriers can add uninsured sub payroll to your policy at your roofing rate.

What is completed-operations coverage and why do roofers need it?

Completed-operations coverage is the part of a GL policy that covers claims arising from your work after that work is finished. Roof leaks and water intrusion damage often appear months or years post-installation, making completed-operations one of the most important parts of a roofer's GL policy.

Can a roofing business owner be excluded from workers' comp?

In many states, sole proprietors and certain corporate officers can elect an exclusion from workers' comp, which reduces premium. However, an excluded owner has no workers' comp benefits if injured on the job. Rules vary by state and business structure [verify state].

What GL limits do GCs require from roofing subs?

Most general contractors require roofing subcontractors to carry at least $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate GL limits, plus a $1M umbrella, for a total of $2M/$3M effective coverage. Some commercial and government contracts require $2M/$4M or higher. Always review your subcontract before binding.

Is roofing covered under a standard BOP (Business Owner's Policy)?

Most standard BOPs exclude or severely limit coverage for roofing contractors due to the elevated risk profile. Roofers typically need individually rated GL and workers' comp policies, often through specialty contractor markets rather than standard BOP markets.

What is an additional insured endorsement and when do roofers need it?

An additional insured (AI) endorsement extends your GL policy's coverage to a third party (e.g., the property owner or GC) for claims arising from your work. Most commercial contracts require the roofing contractor to add the property owner and GC as additional insureds — this is done via endorsement to your policy, not just on a certificate of insurance.

Why Morrow for Roofers Insurance

1. Access to specialty contractor markets. As an independent agency, Morrow places coverage with multiple admitted and surplus lines carriers that actively write roofing accounts — including carriers that standard agencies cannot access. [Morrow to confirm specific carrier panel]
2. Fast COI and additional insured turnaround. Roofers live and die by certificates. Morrow's team is set up to issue and modify certificates of insurance same day, so a new GC requirement does not delay your job start.
3. Trade-specific underwriting knowledge. Morrow brokers understand roofing class codes (5551 and related), experience mod mechanics, subcontractor payroll audits, and the completed-operations exposure that generic agents often miss.
4. Premium audit support. Roofing policies audit annually on payroll and subcontractor costs. Morrow reviews your audit worksheet before you accept it — catching classification errors that frequently result in overcharges.
5. Real claims advocacy. When a completed-operations claim surfaces two years after a job, you need a broker who understands the coverage and can navigate the claims process with you. Morrow acts as your advocate, not just a policy delivery service.

Get a Quote

Ready to protect your roofing business? Get a roofers insurance quote from Morrow or call [Morrow to confirm phone number] to speak with a contractor insurance specialist.

Trust strip: Morrow (Afthonea Inc, DBA Morrow) is an independent commercial insurance agency licensed in [Morrow to confirm licensed states]. We place coverage with admitted and surplus lines carriers rated A- or better by AM Best. [Morrow to confirm carrier panel and review links.]

Related Resources

• Commercial Insurance Overview — parent pillar covering all commercial lines
• Contractors Insurance — broader coverage guide for the construction trades
• General Liability Insurance — deep dive on GL policy structure and limits
• Workers Compensation Insurance — how WC pricing and experience mods work
• Certificate of Insurance (COI) — What It Is and How to Get One — glossary entry on COI mechanics and additional insured requirements

Author: [Morrow to confirm — e.g., Senior Commercial Lines Broker, CPCU / CIC], Morrow
Published: June 2026
Last updated: June 2026

Sources: - Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) — construction and roofing fatality data - National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) — roofing class codes, manual rates, experience modification methodology - Insurance Information Institute (III) — commercial insurance cost and coverage data - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) — roofing fall protection standards (29 CFR 1926.502) - State workers' compensation statutes — coverage requirements and employer obligations [verify state-specific thresholds] - AM Best — carrier financial strength ratings