Insurance Tips for Roofing Contractors

Liability and Insurance

Liability insurance is a necessity for every professional construction contractor. This is especially true for the roofing contractor. Roof work involves a high risk to people as well as potential damage to equipment and property inside the building itself. Liability insurance is important to protect yourself and your business as well as your customer’s interests.

Insurance Requirements

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A Comprehensive General Liability or Manufacturer’s and Contractor’s policy is needed, including both premises and completed operations coverage.

Premises-Operations coverage applies to property damage and/or personal injury to others that might arise during a roofing application. An example would be the overspray of a cool roof coating onto a parked car, or equipment falling from the roof and injuring a pedestrian below.

Completed Operations coverage applies to property damage or personal injury to others, which could occur as a result of the roofing application after the job has been completed (the policy is kept effective through the term of the warranty).

Acquiring and Maintaining Your Insurance

When acquiring insurance, choose a reputable agent who has previously written policies for roofers, contractors and those in the construction industry and will better understand your needs.

Maintaining your insurance is important. You should keep your policy in effect through the time period of warranties you issue. For example: if you plan to retire from roofing tomorrow, but completed and issued a five-year warranty on a job today, you should keep your insurance policy in effect for the full time period of the warranty.
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The amount of insurance coverage needed to protect your business should be assessed on an individual basis. The minimum limits of liability that we suggest are $500,000 Bodily injury, $500,000 Property Damage. Yet, these limits may be grossly inadequate if you take on a large job or a job in which the building’s contents are extremely valuable (example: roofing over computers or other sensitive equipment).

Points Worth Mentioning to Your Insurance Agent

The following points may help your agent better understand your needs as a Conklin coatings and single-ply applicator, resulting in better insurance protection.

  • Conklin roofing systems go on cold and can be applied with a brush or roller. If sprayed, this is normally performed with an airless sprayer. No hot material or open flames.
  • Hy-Crown is a Hypalon single-ply roofing membrane and Flexion is a CPA single-ply roofing membrane which are, in most cases, mechanically fastened to the roof deck.

 

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Written by: Ian Myers
Ian Myers
Ian was the very first team member brought on by the original co-founders of the Choice Roof Contractor Group to assist with nationwide growth. Since then he has written 120+ blog posts and provided excellent support to the roofing contractors in the group. Through his multiple roles in the commercial roofing industry, he has gained tremendous knowledge in the sector.