Roofers Public Liability Insurance
Roofing contractor insurance is a specialised type of cover designed for working at height
What is roofers insurance and why is it important?
Roofing is one of the most high-risk trades in the UK construction industry. From working at heights to handling hazardous materials, roofers face numerous daily risks. Roofers insurance is designed to provide comprehensive protection against these risks, ensuring that contractors have the necessary employers and public liability coverage to operate safely and legally.
Accidents can happen, and when they do, the financial repercussions can be significant. Whether it’s a third party being injured by falling debris or accidental damage to a client’s property, insurance for roofers provides essential cover for claims made against your business. Without roofers liability insurance, contractors could be left personally liable, facing substantial legal fees and compensation payouts.
Employers and public liability insurance
Public liability insurance is a crucial component of any roofers insurance policy. It protects against claims for injury or damage caused to third parties during the course of your work. For example, if a passerby is injured by a tool falling from the roof, or if tiles dislodged during work cause damage to a neighbouring property, public liability insurance will cover the legal costs and compensation.
If you have employees, employers liability insurance is not just a smart choice – it’s a legal requirement in the UK. This cover protects your business if an employee suffers an injury or illness as a result of their work. Roofing can be a dangerous job, and even with stringent safety measures, accidents can happen. This business insurance covers medical expenses, compensation claims, and legal costs, ensuring that your business is protected and compliant with the law.
Insurance for roofing companies explained
Working at height is perceived as being one of the most dangerous activities in the construction industry. Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or roofs are a leading cause of serious injury and death. The Health and Safety Executive identifies that falls from height accounted for 50% of fatal accidents to workers in 2023/24.
Roofing contractors work in areas accessible to the public, whether that be third-persons, or other workers. There is a serious risk of tools, materials, or debris falling from height and causing injury or property damage. A passerby or other property could be struck by a falling object, or a contractor could slip on debris left at the site, leading to a personal injury or proprty damage claim being against the roofer.
Even if a liability claim made against a roofer is unfounded, legal defense costs can still be significant. Roofers insurance is therefore critical in providing financial protection against allegations of bodily injury or property damage. For example, a client, member of the public, contractor or employee, may accuse the roofing company of being responsible and seek damages. The directors of the business should also consider D&O insurance to protect against manslaughter claims and HSE investigations.
What insurance do roofing contractors need?
There are many components that make up roofing insurance policies. These are various insurance products, packaged together to protect against the risks incurred specifically by those working in the roofing industry (i.e. contract works insurance). The main components of roofer insurance can be seen below:
Public Liability
Covers the roofing contractor against compensation claims from third parties for bodily injury or property damage. Includes medical costs, compensation, and legal fees.
Employers' Liability
Covers the business if an employee is injured or becomes ill as a result of their work. Includes medical costs, compensation, and legal fees.
Contract Works
Covers risks such as fire, theft, vandalism, and storm damage against the works in progress. Will reinstate or repair the building works.
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Either give us a call on 0345 625 0711 or complete our digital onboarding process to obtain your quote.What else can roofing insurance offer?
Tools and Equipment
This covers the cost of repairing or replacing tools and equipment if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.
Professional Indemnity
This provides coverage if a client alleges that there was a mistake in the roofing work, such as improper installation or design flaws, leading to financial loss or damage.
Commercial Vehicles
This covers vehicles used for business purposes, such as transporting tools, materials, and workers to and from job sites. It provides coverage for accidents, theft, and damage to the vehicles.
How much does roofers insurance cost?
Premiums quoted by insurers can vary significanty given their perception of your risk exposure. The maximum hight at which you opperate, the equipment you use, the type of projects, the size of the business (turnover and employee number), as well as how much of your turnover is paid to bonafide subcontractors are all considerations and can impact your roofers insurance cost.
Roofing risk management guides
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The guide to safely working at height in the workplace - by AXA
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Working at height guidance - by the Health and Safety Executive
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Advisory Committee for Roof Safety - Roofing Contractor Compentencies
Why choose Get Indemnity™ for your roofers insurance?
Tailored Coverage
Roofers face unique risks that require specific types of insurance, such as public liability, employers liability, and contractors all risks (CAR) insurance.
Expert Knowledge
We specialise in roofing insurance have deep industry knowledge and understand the particular risks of working at height and liability risks roofers face.
Value for Money
We can help you find better value by comparing quotes from multiple insurers and negotiating on your behalf. We can often secure lower premiums or more comprehensive coverage at competitive rates.
Compare roofing insurance quotes. Talk with one of our experts about your business needs
Frequently asked questions
How can I obtain a roofing insurance quote?
How do you choose the right roofers insurance?
Using an insurance broker to choose the right roofers insurance policy is important. Most contractors insurance policies will contain restrictions on working above a specific height, or the amount of roofing work allowable.
From securing tailored coverage and saving time, to helping with claims and ensuring you meet legal requirements, getting advice can give you the peace of mind that your business is protected from the unique risks associated with roofing work.
Why do I need roofing insurance?
Roofing insurance is crucial for roofing contractors in the UK due to the high-risk nature of the job. It protects against potential financial liabilities arising from accidents, injuries, or property damage.
Public liability insurance covers claims made by third parties, such as clients or the public, for injury or damage caused by your work, like falling debris or damaged property. Employers liability insurance is legally required if you have employees, protecting you if a worker is injured or becomes ill due to working conditions.
Additionally, tools and equipment insurance safeguards your essential gear against theft or damage, ensuring business continuity. Professional indemnity insurance is also beneficial if you provide design or consulting services, covering claims of errors, omissions or negligence.
Ultimately, business insurance provides peace of mind, enabling you to operate your business confidently while complying with legal obligations and safeguarding against unforeseen financial setbacks.
Is roofer contractor insurance mandatory in the UK?
While roofing contractors insurance itself is not a legal requirement, employers' liability insurance is. This can come as part of roofing insurance policies, and any UK company that hires staff will be required to possess at least £5 million of cover. They typical amount of cover provided is £10 million from most insurers. The consequences for not having employers' liability insurance can include fines, as well as being held personally liable for any claims made by employees. By getting your cover under a roofer contractor policy, you are able to cover multiple bases by packaging covers.
You can attain other covers, such as professional indemnity and public liability insurance, which can help to protect against the risks faced by you as a roofer.
How do I know how much cover I need?
There are several key factors you need to consider when obtaining roofing insurance.
The nature of your work can dictate the varying levels of risks faced. Consider the contractual requirements you may face in order to secure work. These can often refer to public liability insurance.
The standard cover for public liability insurance typically ranges from £1 million to £10 million. Opting for a higher limit can be wise when working in high-risk environments, such as construction sites or public spaces. The value of your tools and equipment must also be considered when deciding on the cover limit for them.
Companies that employ staff will require a minimum of £5 million employers' liability, although many policies will offer more, usually £10 million. Professional Indemnity insurance, otherwise known as professional liability insurance, is necessary for those who provide advice, and design or consultancy services, so consider how much insurance cover you could need to protect against a claim of professional negligence.
Consulting insurance experts, like those at Get Indemnity, can help you to decide what levels of cover are appropriate for your policy
How does roofing insurance provide liability cover?
Financial Protection – Roofing insurance covers legal fees, compensation, and medical costs associated with claims against your business, ensuring you’re not out of pocket.
Legal Compliance – Employers' liability insurance is mandatory if you have staff, ensuring your business complies with UK regulations.
Reputation Management – Comprehensive coverage for professional errors or negligence helps maintain your business’s reputation and client trust.
Operational Continuity – Protects your tools, equipment, and ongoing projects, reducing downtime and keeping your business running smoothly.
Related articles and guides
General liability insurance is a type of business insurance that provides protection against financial loss arising from claims of bodily injury or property damage.
60% of the fall from height fatalities and 30% of major injuries occurred within the construction industry. This equates to 35 fatalities and 938 major injuries, due to falling from height in the construction industry in 2019/20.