# Roofing Contractor Insurance: Coverage for a High-Risk Trade
Roofing is, by the numbers, one of the most dangerous trades in America — crews work at height, in heat, around power lines, hauling heavy loads on steep pitches. Insurers know it, which is why roofers pay more and why many carriers won't write roofing at all. That makes matching your business to the *right* carrier the single most important thing an agent can do for you.
At BNW Services / InsureToday24, we're an independent agency licensed across Missouri, Kansas, and our broader region, appointed with 69+ carriers — including specialty markets that write roofing when standard carriers decline. Here's what a roofing company needs and why.
The coverages a roofing business should carry
1. General liability (and it's harder to get for roofers)
General liability covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others — a dropped bundle that damages a car, water intrusion from an open roof, or a passerby struck by falling debris. Roofing is a tough class, so appetite and price vary enormously between carriers. General contractors and property owners require proof before you start. See General Liability Insurance.
2. Workers' compensation (critical for roofers)
Falls are the leading cause of death in construction, and roofing sits at the top of that list — OSHA makes fall protection a central enforcement priority. Workers' comp pays medical bills and lost wages for injured crew and protects you from being sued over the injury. For roofers, going without is both dangerous and, in most situations with employees, against state rules — construction employers face stricter thresholds. See Workers' Compensation Insurance.
3. Commercial auto
Trucks and trailers hauling shingles, tear-off debris, and equipment need commercial auto.
4. Tools & equipment (inland marine)
Nail guns, compressors, ladders, and lifts are covered on the road and on the jobsite by inland marine.
5. Umbrella and bonds
Given the injury and property exposure, a commercial umbrella is strongly recommended for roofers — it adds catastrophic limits over your liability and auto. Many jurisdictions require a roofing or contractor license/permit bond; see Surety Bonds for Contractors.
Common roofing claims and risks
- Worker falls — the defining roofing injury, and the reason comp costs more here.
- Water damage to the interior when a roof is left open and weather moves in.
- Property damage below — dropped materials, dented gutters, damaged landscaping, broken windows.
- Wind reopening completed work and disputes over whether damage is workmanship or weather.
- Faulty workmanship callbacks — general liability covers resulting damage, not the cost to redo the roof itself.
How an independent agency shops it
This is where independence matters most. Because so many carriers avoid roofing, a captive agent may have nothing to offer you — while we can reach the specialty and wholesale markets that write the class. We match your operation (residential re-roof vs. commercial, height, steep-slope work, subcontractor use) to a carrier whose appetite fits. That's the core advantage of an independent agent over buying direct. We also turn certificates of insurance around quickly for GCs and property owners.
What it costs
Roofing premiums reflect payroll, revenue, residential vs. commercial, steep vs. low-slope, subcontractor use, claims history, and limits. The SBA advises matching coverage to exposure first, then shopping price. Because roofing is high-risk, the *right carrier* often matters more than the headline rate.
Get a roofing quote that fits
Tell us your operation and we'll shop it across our standard and specialty markets. Call or text (573) 594-5148 (ask for Lucy) or request a quote at insuretoday24.com.
References
- Insurance Information Institute — https://www.iii.org
- OSHA (fall protection in construction) — https://www.osha.gov
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Get Business Insurance — https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/get-business-insurance
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners — https://www.naic.org
- Investopedia (business insurance explainers) — https://www.investopedia.com
Related
- General Liability Insurance for Small Business
- Workers' Compensation Insurance in Missouri
- Commercial Umbrella Insurance
- Contractor Insurance: The Coverages Every Trade Business Needs
- Why Use an Independent Insurance Agent Instead of Buying Direct
Watch
- "Insurance for Roofing Contractors" — Contractors Liability — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CNn8rwhgWo
- "Contractors Insurance Costs Explained. General Liability, Workers' Comp & More" — Blue Rock Insurance Services — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNgTVfCd0Uc