What Is Roofing Insurance?

Roofing Insurance is a term used to describe commercial insurance arranged for businesses undertaking roofing work.

Depending on the business, cover may include Public Liability Insurance, Employers’ Liability Insurance, tools and equipment insurance, contract works and other specialist protections.

Roofing businesses can face different underwriting requirements from other construction trades because of the potential consequences of falls, fire, water ingress and damage to existing buildings.

It is important that your insurer understands the precise nature of your work, including roofing materials, working heights, heat application and subcontractor arrangements.

What Does Roofing Insurance Cover?

Cover depends on the insurer, declared activities, policy wording, limits, excesses, exclusions and applicable conditions.

Roofers’ Public Liability Insurance

Public Liability Insurance is particularly important for roofing contractors because work is frequently undertaken above occupied buildings, neighbouring properties and areas accessible to the public.

Examples of incidents that could result in a claim include:

• A roof tile or tool falling and damaging a parked vehicle.
• Materials falling from a roof and injuring a passer-by.
• Accidental damage to neighbouring property during roofing operations.
• A member of the public being injured in connection with your work area.
• Damage arising from certain roofing activities, subject to the applicable policy conditions.

Public Liability Insurance may cover qualifying compensation and legal defence costs, but it does not automatically cover defective workmanship, the cost of correcting your own work or every type of water damage.

Employers’ Liability Insurance for Roofing Contractors

Roofing businesses employing staff will generally need Employers’ Liability Insurance, subject to the relevant legal exemptions.

Most employers required to hold this insurance must have at least £5 million of cover, although many commercial policies provide £10 million.

Employers’ Liability Insurance may respond to qualifying claims involving work-related injuries or illnesses, including falls, manual handling injuries and other workplace incidents.

Businesses using subcontractors should ensure their employment and subcontracting arrangements are accurately disclosed. Whether a particular worker needs to be covered under your Employers’ Liability policy depends on the circumstances and the nature of the working relationship.

Roofing Insurance for Different Types of Work

Not all roofing activities present the same risk. Insurers may assess each type of work differently.

Roofing Insurance for Working at Height

Working at height is one of the most important underwriting considerations for roofing businesses.

Insurers may impose restrictions based on the maximum height at which work is undertaken, the type of access equipment used and the nature of the roofing activities.

Important information may include:

• Maximum working height.
• Whether work is undertaken on domestic, commercial or industrial buildings.
• Use of scaffolding, ladders and mobile access equipment.
• Work on fragile roofs or rooflights.
• Risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• Subcontractor and supervision arrangements.

A policy that excludes work above a specified height may leave a roofing contractor without cover for activities outside that limit.

Businesses undertaking specialist access work can also explore our Work at Height Insurance information.

Roofing Insurance for Hot Works and Torch-On Roofing

Some roofing methods involve the use of naked flames, heat guns, welding equipment or other heat-producing tools.

These activities can present significant fire risks, particularly when work is carried out on existing buildings.

Insurers may impose strict conditions or exclusions relating to heat application.

Depending on the policy, requirements may include:

• Hot works risk assessments and permits where applicable.
• Suitable fire extinguishing equipment.
• Removal or protection of combustible materials.
• Appropriate supervision and trained operatives.
• Fire watches during and after work.
• Restrictions on heat application to certain buildings or materials.

Some insurers may exclude particular heat application methods altogether.

Always confirm that your actual roofing methods are accepted by the insurer before work begins.

Does Roofing Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Water ingress is an important exposure for roofing contractors, particularly when existing roof coverings are removed or buildings are temporarily exposed to the weather.

However, Public Liability Insurance does not automatically cover every incident involving water penetration or damage to the property being worked upon.

Policies may contain restrictions relating to:

• Damage to the roof or structure being worked on.
• Failure to provide suitable temporary weather protection.
• Defective workmanship or inadequate installation.
• Gradual water ingress or deterioration.
• Contractual responsibilities exceeding insured legal liability.

These terms should be reviewed carefully, particularly for roofing businesses undertaking strip-and-recover projects or major refurbishment work.

Roofing Insurance for Subcontractors

Many roofing businesses use subcontractors to help complete projects.

Insurers may distinguish between labour-only subcontractors and bona fide subcontractors, and the definitions can vary between policies.

Relevant considerations include:

• Whether subcontractors provide labour only or undertake work under their own arrangements.
• Whether subcontractors maintain their own liability insurance.
• The activities undertaken by subcontractors.
• Responsibility for supervision and health and safety.
• Contractual insurance requirements.
• Whether subcontractor payments or turnover must be declared.

Using subcontractors does not automatically transfer all responsibility away from your business.

Accurate disclosure and appropriate insurance arrangements are essential.

Tools, Equipment and Materials Insurance for Roofers

Roofing businesses often rely on specialist tools, access equipment and materials to complete their work.

Theft or accidental damage can create replacement costs and disrupt projects.

Depending on the policy, cover may be available for:

• Hand tools and power tools.
• Specialist roofing equipment.
• Machinery and plant owned by the business.
• Hired access equipment.
• Materials awaiting installation.
• Specified losses during transit or storage.

Tools left in vehicles overnight, equipment stored on sites and unattended machinery may be subject to specific security conditions or exclusions.

What Does Roofing Insurance Not Cover?

Roofing Insurance policies may contain important exclusions and restrictions.

• Work above declared or permitted height limits.
• Undisclosed roofing activities or materials.
• Hot works where excluded or undertaken outside policy conditions.
• Defective workmanship and the cost of correcting your own work.
• Damage to property being worked upon, where excluded.
• Certain water ingress and weather-related losses.
• Professional design liabilities without suitable cover.
• Employee injury claims under Public Liability Insurance.
• Uninsured or incorrectly declared subcontractor arrangements.
• Pollution, asbestos and other specialist exposures where excluded.
• Losses outside policy limits or falling within applicable excesses.

Some exclusions may be addressed through specialist extensions or separate policies, depending on insurer acceptance.

How Much Does Roofing Insurance Cost?

Roofing Insurance premiums depend on the type of work undertaken, the scale of the business and the risks involved.

What Information Is Needed for a Roofing Insurance Quote?

To help us approach suitable insurance markets, we may ask for:

• Your business name and trading history.
• A description of all roofing activities undertaken.
• Annual turnover and payroll.
• Maximum working height.
• Percentage of flat and pitched roofing work.
• Whether heat application or torch-on systems are used.
• Domestic, commercial and industrial work breakdown.
• Subcontractor arrangements and expenditure.
• Details of any work on fragile roofs or unusual structures.
• Required Public Liability and Employers’ Liability limits.
• Tools, equipment and contract works values.
• Previous insurance claims and relevant risk management procedures.

Additional underwriting information may be required for specialist or higher-risk roofing operations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Roofing Insurance

What insurance does a roofer need?

Roofing contractors commonly consider Public Liability Insurance, Employers’ Liability Insurance where required, and cover for tools, equipment and contract works. The appropriate combination depends on the business.

Is Public Liability Insurance compulsory for roofers?

Public Liability Insurance is not universally required by law for roofers in the UK, but customers, principal contractors and commercial contracts may require it.

Can I get roofing insurance for work at height?

Specialist insurance may be available for roofing work at height. Insurers will consider maximum working heights, access methods and the activities undertaken.

Does roofing insurance cover torch-on roofing?

Cover depends on insurer acceptance and the policy wording. Some insurers apply strict hot works conditions or exclude particular heat application methods.

Does roofing insurance cover leaks?

Some resulting property damage may be covered where legal liability is established and the policy responds. However, defective workmanship, damage to the roof being worked upon and certain water ingress losses may be excluded.

Can self-employed roofers obtain insurance?

Yes. Insurance may be available for self-employed roofing contractors, subject to their activities, experience and underwriting information.

Can I obtain insurance if I use subcontractors?

Yes, subject to insurer acceptance. Subcontractor arrangements should be accurately disclosed, including the work undertaken and relevant insurance responsibilities.

Can roofers with previous claims obtain insurance?

Some insurers may consider businesses with previous claims, depending on the nature, frequency and circumstances of those claims.

Why Choose Edison Ives for Roofing Insurance?

Roofing contractors need insurance that reflects the work they actually undertake, not simply a generic description of their trade.

At Edison Ives, we take time to understand your roofing activities and explore appropriate insurance markets.

• Specialist commercial insurance broking support.
• Consideration of working height and access requirements.
• Review of hot works and heat application exposures.
• Insurance options for different types of roofing contractors.
• Help understanding exclusions, endorsements and policy conditions.
• Personal support throughout the insurance process.

Part of David Roberts & Partners

Edison Ives is proud to be part of David Roberts & Partners Ltd, an independent insurance broker group.

Our group relationship supports access to wider insurance expertise and markets while allowing us to maintain a personal approach to our clients.

Contact Edison Ives

Call 0113 390 4646

Email info@edinsure.co.uk