Contractor Insurance by Trade
Roofing Contractor Insurance
Stop losing bids because you can’t get certified. We place roofing contractors other agencies turn away — same-day COI, competitive rates, carriers that won’t drop you after one storm season.
- ✓Carriers with genuine appetite for residential and commercial roofing
- ✓Coverage for steep-slope, flat, metal, and TPO systems
- ✓Same-day COI so you’re never waiting on a job
- ✓Hard-to-place roofing risks welcome — we’ve placed them all
✓ 20+ Years Experience
✓ Same-Day COI
✓ Licensed All 50 States
Or call (234) 231-8427 — Mon–Fri, 9 AM–5 PM EST
Sound Familiar?
Insurance Problems Roofing Contractors Face
“My carrier dropped me after my first claim.”
Non-renewals after a single claim are common in roofing. We work with carriers that have long-term appetite for roofers — not ones looking for a reason to exit.
“I can’t get a certificate until Monday. The job starts Friday.”
We issue same-day COIs. Call before the job starts — not after the GC has already replaced you with someone who was ready.
“Every agency I called said they won’t write roofing.”
Standard markets restrict roofing. We access specialty and E&S carriers that exist specifically to write high-risk trades like yours.
“My rate doubled at renewal and no one explained why.”
Roofing rates are volatile. We re-shop your policy at every renewal against multiple carriers to make sure you’re getting the most competitive rate your loss history supports.
The Real Risks Roofers Face — And What Insurance Covers
Roofing is statistically one of the most dangerous trades in construction. OSHA consistently cites falls as the leading cause of fatal injuries in roofing, and the numbers back it: roofers fall at far higher rates than any other trade. But falls aren’t the only exposure. Water intrusion from faulty flashing or improper installation can cause structural damage worth six figures before a homeowner notices. A crew member dropping a bundle of shingles onto a parked car, a homeowner tripping on debris — every project carries multiple liability vectors that your general liability policy needs to address.
The challenge with roofing insurance is that the same risks that make it expensive also make carriers reluctant to write it. Many standard admitted carriers restrict roofing or exclude it entirely. When you call an agency that only has access to standard markets, you get a “we can’t help you” — not because roofing is uninsurable, but because that agency doesn’t have the right carrier relationships. We’ve spent two decades building those relationships specifically so our roofing clients have options.
In our experience, the most common mistake roofers make is buying a policy that lists them as a general contractor or handyman to save money. That’s a claim denial waiting to happen. We insist on proper classification and policies that specifically cover roofing operations — residential, commercial, and specialty systems.
What Coverage Does a Roofing Contractor Actually Need?
General liability is the foundation. For roofing, you need a GL policy that explicitly includes roofing operations — not one that lists a general contractor class and hopes no one checks. Your limits should be at minimum $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, and larger commercial clients will require higher limits with an umbrella on top.
Workers compensation is mandatory in almost every state if you have W-2 employees, and the workers comp class codes for roofers (NCCI 5551 for residential, 5552 for commercial) carry some of the highest rates in the industry — typically $15–$30+ per $100 of payroll depending on your state and experience mod. This isn’t negotiable; a roofer operating without workers comp faces personal liability for every injury on every job site.
Commercial auto covers your trucks and trailers. Tools and equipment coverage protects your compressors, nail guns, and ladders from theft and damage on job sites. And a commercial umbrella — typically $1M–$5M — is increasingly required by GCs and commercial property owners on larger projects. We bundle these coverages efficiently so you’re fully protected without overpaying on each individual line.
Roofing Insurance Costs: What to Expect
Roofing insurance is expensive relative to other trades, and there’s no way around that. The risk data justifies the premium. But “expensive” is relative — we regularly save roofers 20–40% over their current policy by shopping the right specialty markets.
A solo roofing contractor without employees can expect to pay $2,000–$5,000/year for GL, depending on state, annual revenue, and claims history. Add a workers comp policy for a two-person crew and you’re looking at another $8,000–$20,000 depending on payroll and your experience modification rate. Commercial auto and tools add another $2,000–$5,000 depending on fleet size and equipment values.
These numbers move significantly based on your claims history. A clean three-year record earns meaningful discounts. Multiple prior claims can put you into excess markets at significantly higher rates. We work with what you have and find the best available market for your actual history.
Why Trade Safe
Why Contractors Choose Trade Safe Insurance
We Know Your Trade
We’ve spent 20+ years placing coverage for contractors across every trade. We understand your risks, your licensing requirements, and which carriers will actually pay your claims.
Hard-to-Place Welcome
We’ve placed contractors that five other agencies turned down. Our access to specialty and E&S markets means we can find coverage when standard carriers won’t write your trade.
Same-Day COI
You call, we issue. Certificates go out the same day so you never lose a job waiting on paperwork. We know contractors live and die on getting to the job site.
Independent Agency
We shop dozens of carriers on your behalf. We don’t represent one company — we represent you. That means you get the best available rate for your actual trade and risk profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is roofing insurance so expensive? +
Roofing has the highest fall risk and one of the highest claim frequencies of any construction trade. Carriers price that risk into premiums. The good news is that proper classification, a clean loss history, and shopping specialty markets can significantly reduce what you pay.
Can I get roofing insurance if I’ve had claims? +
Yes. Prior claims make it harder but not impossible. We work with specialty markets that evaluate your full risk profile, not just your claim count. In our experience, carriers want to know what changed — better safety practices, smaller crew, different work types.
What class code applies to roofing contractors? +
NCCI workers comp code 5551 applies to residential roofing and 5552 to commercial roofing. These carry some of the highest rates in the industry. GL classification falls under ISO class codes specific to roofing operations.
Do I need an umbrella policy as a roofer? +
Most commercial GCs require it. We recommend at least $1M umbrella over your GL for any roofer working on commercial properties or multi-unit residential. It’s relatively affordable additional protection given the severity risk in roofing.
Why do carriers drop roofers? +
Roofing loss ratios are high. Carriers that lose money in a trade class exit the market. That’s why we work with carriers that have underwriting specialization in roofing — they price it correctly and stay in the market through cycle changes.
What does a roofing GL policy exclude? +
Standard GL often excludes work above a certain height, certain roofing materials, and completed operations for water intrusion. We review every exclusion before you buy so there are no surprises at claim time.
How do I get a same-day certificate for a roofing job? +
Call us. We issue COIs the same day for active policies. If you need a new policy and a COI fast, we can often get you bound and certified within 24–48 hours depending on the carrier.
Does my experience mod affect my roofing insurance cost? +
Significantly. Workers comp rates are multiplied by your EMR. An EMR of 1.20 means you pay 20% more than the base rate. An EMR of 0.80 earns you a 20% discount. A clean safety record over three years is the single most effective way to reduce your workers comp premium.
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Get the Right Roofing Contractor Insurance — Not a Generic Policy
We match your exact trade to the right carrier. Same-day quotes. Same-day COI. Hard-to-place risks welcome.