Roofer Fell, Sued Us for $500k: How Workers’ Comp & CGL Responded
The Fall That Almost Took Us Down
One of my best roofers lost his footing and fell two stories, suffering serious injuries. It was a nightmare. Our Workers’ Compensation policy immediately covered his medical bills and lost wages. But then he hired a lawyer and sued our company for providing an unsafe work environment. Our General Liability (CGL) policy, which has a section for employer’s liability, stepped in to defend us against the lawsuit. It was a terrifying lesson that a single fall can trigger two different insurance policies and threaten the very survival of your business.
The #1 Most Dangerous Trade? Why Roofer Insurance Isn’t Optional (It’s Survival!)
The Premium for Working Against Gravity
A young roofer asked me why our insurance costs more than any other trade. I told him, “A plumber works in the basement. An electrician works inside the walls. We work three stories up, fighting gravity every second. A fall for us isn’t a sprain; it’s a life-changing event.” I explained that insurers see us as one of the most dangerous professions. Our high premiums for workers’ comp and liability aren’t just a business expense; they are the non-negotiable cost of doing a job where one misstep can lead to a catastrophe.
Leaky Roof Install Caused $100k Interior Damage: Completed Operations Claim Nightmare!
The “Finished” Job That Was Just Beginning
We installed a beautiful new tile roof on a luxury home. Six months later, during the first big storm of the season, a small flaw in our flashing work led to a massive leak. It ruined antique furniture, plaster walls, and hardwood floors. The interior damage was over $100,000. Our work was long done, but our liability wasn’t. Our “Completed Operations” coverage was the only thing that saved us. It paid for the entire interior restoration, proving that for a roofer, your biggest risk often appears months after you’ve cashed the check.
Roofer Insurance Explained: Covering Falls, Property Damage, Faulty Workmanship Liability
Your Armor Against the Elements (and Lawsuits)
I explain roofing insurance to my crew like this: it’s our armor. Workers’ Comp is our helmet, protecting us from head injuries if we fall. General Liability is our shield, defending us if we drop a bundle of shingles on the homeowner’s car. And Completed Operations coverage is our back plate, protecting us if a leak shows up a year after we leave. Without every piece of this armor, we’re dangerously exposed on the battlefield of the job site.
Workers’ Comp for Roofers: Expect High Premiums, Prioritize Safety!
The Most Expensive Check I Write Every Month
My Workers’ Compensation premium for my crew of six roofers is over $4,000 a month. It’s my single biggest overhead cost, more than my truck payments or my shop rent. Why? Because the insurance company knows that a fall from a roof is one of the most severe and expensive injuries in any industry. I hate writing that check, but I know it’s the price of doing business. It’s also why we are absolute fanatics about safety training and fall protection—because lowering our claims is the only way to lower that massive bill.
General Liability Limits You NEED as a Roofing Contractor (High!)
When One Million Isn’t Enough
As a young roofer, I thought a $1 million liability policy was a huge amount. Then I bid on a job re-roofing a historic church. The contract required a $5 million liability limit. The church’s board knew that if our work caused a fire or leak that damaged their priceless stained-glass windows or pipe organ, the damage could easily exceed a million dollars. I had to buy a separate, expensive Umbrella Liability policy to get the job. It was a lesson that your policy limits need to match the value of what’s under the roof.
Completed Operations Coverage: Your Shield Against Leaks Showing Up Later
The Slow Drip of a Lawsuit
The most terrifying call a roofer can get is from a client a year after the job is done, saying, “My roof is leaking.” You thought the job was finished, but your liability is not. A tiny flaw in your work can lead to a slow leak that causes immense damage over time. This is what “Completed Operations” coverage is for. It’s the most critical part of your CGL policy, protecting you from claims that arise from your work failing long after you’ve moved on to the next job.
Protecting Siding, Windows, and Landscaping During Tear-Off (Property Damage Liability)
The Wayward Shingle and the Scratched BMW
During a steep roof tear-off, a single asphalt shingle slid off the tarp and landed on the homeowner’s prized BMW in the driveway, leaving a deep scratch in the hood. The repair was $1,500. A few days later, the homeowner claimed our crew had damaged his expensive Japanese maple tree. Our General Liability policy covered both claims. It’s a constant reminder that our job isn’t just about the roof; it’s about protecting everything below it from the unavoidable mess and debris we create.
Comparing Roofer Insurance Quotes: Insurers Scrutinize Roofers!
They Ask Questions No Other Trade Gets
When I got my first insurance quote as a roofer, I was shocked by the detailed questionnaire. “Do you use torch-down applications? What percentage of your work is on roofs over two stories? Do you have a written safety plan?” My plumber friend’s application was one page long. I learned that because our trade is so risky, insurers scrutinize us more than anyone else. They want to know exactly what you do and how you do it before they will even consider taking on your risk.
Does Your Policy Cover Damage from Hot Tar or Open Flames?
The Torch-Down Fire That Wasn’t Covered
A roofing company specialized in flat, commercial roofs using a torch-down application. They had a cheap General Liability policy they bought online. During a job, their open flame torch accidentally ignited some material, causing a major fire. When they filed the claim, their insurer denied it, pointing to a fine-print exclusion for “damage arising from the use of open flame or torch.” The company was uninsured for their primary business activity. They lost everything. Always check for heat-related exclusions.
Filing a Claim When Wind Blows Off Your Newly Installed Shingles
The Wind, the Warranty, and the Lawsuit
We installed a new roof. A month later, a severe windstorm blew a dozen shingles off. The manufacturer claimed it was our faulty installation, voiding the warranty. The homeowner, caught in the middle, sued us to replace the whole roof. We filed a claim with our liability insurer. They hired an engineer who determined that the wind speeds had exceeded the shingle’s maximum rating, proving it wasn’t our fault. The insurer didn’t pay to fix the roof but paid the huge legal cost to defend our work.
My Crew Damaged Skylights During Install: Insurance Claim Process
The Cracked Glass and the Quick Call
My crew was re-roofing around two large skylights. A roofer dropped a hammer, cracking one of the expensive, custom-sized glass panels. I immediately took photos and called my insurance agent from the job site. He opened a claim, and an adjuster called me back that afternoon. Our General Liability policy paid for the replacement skylight. By reporting it quickly and transparently, we showed the homeowner we were professionals who took responsibility for our mistakes, which our insurance allowed us to do.
Inland Marine Insurance for Your Ladders, Nail Guns, and Equipment
The Ladders That Walked Away
My crew left three expensive extension ladders and a pile of equipment locked up at a job site overnight. In the morning, everything was gone. Someone had cut the locks and stolen over $6,000 worth of gear. My CGL policy doesn’t cover my own property. My auto policy doesn’t cover equipment. The only thing that saved me was my Inland Marine policy. This type of coverage is specifically for your tools and equipment, protecting them from theft or damage wherever they are—in transit, on site, or in your shop.
Commercial Auto for Your Roofing Trucks and Crews
More Than Just a Pickup Truck
As my roofing business grew from one truck to a fleet of three, my agent insisted we upgrade to a full Commercial Auto policy. He explained that a personal policy wouldn’t cover trucks with ladder racks and company logos. More importantly, he said that with multiple crews driving around, the risk of a major accident was much higher. A commercial policy gives us the higher liability limits—often $1 million—we need to protect the business from a serious at-fault accident involving one of our work vehicles.
Meeting GC and Homeowner Insurance Certificate Requirements
Your Passport to the Job Site
I was about to start a big subcontracting job for a general contractor. The first thing the site supervisor asked for was my Certificate of Insurance (COI). I texted him a PDF from my phone showing my CGL and Workers’ Comp coverage. He glanced at it and waved my crew in. That one-page document is your passport. You cannot get on a reputable job site without it. It’s the first thing GCs and savvy homeowners ask for because it proves you’re a professional who won’t be a liability to them.
How Safety Training and Fall Protection Impacts Your Insurance Costs
The Harness That Lowered Our Premium
Our workers’ comp premium was killing us. Our insurer offered a deal: if we implemented and documented a mandatory, 100% tie-off fall protection program and held weekly safety meetings, they would give us a significant credit. We invested in the best harnesses and training. Our injury rate plummeted. At our next renewal, our premium dropped by 20%, saving us over $10,000 a year. It was proof that investing in safety isn’t an expense; it’s one of the best financial decisions a roofer can make.
Understanding Exclusions for Certain Roof Types (Torch Down?) or Heights?
The Three-Story Limit
I was excited to win a bid for re-roofing a three-story apartment building. I called my agent to celebrate, and he stopped me cold. “Check your policy,” he said. “It has a height exclusion. It only covers you for work on structures two stories or less.” I was horrified. I was about to start a job for which I had no insurance. We had to scramble to get a special endorsement to cover the new height exposure. Always check your policy for exclusions related to height, materials, or techniques.
My Experience Fighting a Claim Denial for “Faulty Workmanship” vs. “Resulting Damage”
The Most Important Distinction in Insurance
We installed a new roof that leaked, causing water damage to the client’s ceiling. Our insurer agreed to pay for the damaged ceiling (the “resulting damage”). But they refused to pay for the cost of us to go back and fix the leaky part of the roof itself, citing the “faulty workmanship” exclusion. They argued that insurance isn’t a warranty for our own work. It was a frustrating but critical lesson in insurance law: your policy is designed to pay for the damage your work causes, not to pay to redo your work itself.
Protecting Your Business Reputation When Roofing Jobs Go Wrong
The Check That Saved Our 5-Star Rating
A windstorm damaged a roof we had just installed. The client was furious and immediately posted a 1-star review online, blasting our company. It wasn’t our fault, but the damage was done. We filed a claim, and our insurer, wanting to mitigate the situation, agreed to pay for the repairs as a gesture of goodwill. We fixed the roof for free. The client was so happy they took down the bad review and replaced it with a glowing one. Our insurance policy didn’t just fix a roof; it fixed our reputation.
Does Insurance Cover Damage from Debris Falling Off the Roof?
The Hammer, The Skylight, and The Lawsuit
My roofer was working on a steep roof and his hammer slipped, sliding down the roof and crashing through the homeowner’s large, expensive skylight on the deck below. The homeowner was furious and the replacement cost was over $3,000. This is a classic General Liability claim. Our policy covers property damage caused by our operations, including falling tools, materials, or debris. It immediately paid for the new skylight, preventing a small accident from turning into a big lawsuit.
Subcontractor Insurance Management for Roofing Crews
His Fall, My Claim?
I sometimes hire other roofing crews as subcontractors when I get too busy. The first thing I demand is a certificate of insurance showing they have their own General Liability and, most importantly, Workers’ Compensation coverage. Why? Because if one of their guys falls on my job site and they don’t have workers’ comp, the law might consider him my employee. That means the claim would go on my policy, and my premiums would skyrocket. Managing sub’s insurance is non-negotiable risk management.
Getting Insurance With Past Workers’ Comp Claims: It’s Tough!
The “High-Risk Pool”
A fellow roofer had a bad year where two of his employees had serious fall-related injuries. When his workers’ comp policy came up for renewal, his carrier dropped him. He called a dozen other agents, and no standard insurance company would offer him a quote. His claims history had made him too risky. His only option was the “assigned risk pool,” a state-run program of last resort with sky-high premiums. It’s a brutal reminder that a bad claims history can make it almost impossible to get affordable insurance.
Property Damage from Dropped Tools or Materials
The Shingle Bundle and the Air Conditioner
My crew was stocking a roof. One of my guys lost his grip on a heavy bundle of asphalt shingles. It slid off the roof and landed directly on top of the homeowner’s central air conditioning unit, crushing it. The unit was destroyed, a $4,000 mistake. Our General Liability policy covered the full cost to replace the AC unit. It’s a textbook example of the kind of property damage claim that is a constant risk in our line of work.
How Weather Conditions Affect Roofing Risks and Insurance
The Sun, The Wind, and The Rain
As a roofer, the weather is my business partner and my biggest enemy. A sudden, unexpected rainstorm can flood a house if my tarps fail. A windy day can turn a piece of flashing into a dangerous projectile. A heatwave can cause my workers to get heatstroke. My insurance company knows this. My premiums are higher because I work in an industry where I am completely at the mercy of the elements, and a bad weather forecast can dramatically increase the risk of a major claim.
Roofer Insurance: High-Risk Work Needs Strong Protection
Your Financial Fall Arrest System
As a roofer, you wear a harness and a lanyard as your personal fall arrest system. It’s what saves your life if you slip. Your insurance program is your business’s financial fall arrest system. It’s the powerful combination of liability and workers’ comp coverage that saves your company when it faces a catastrophic event, like a major lawsuit or a serious employee injury. It’s the safety system that catches your business, absorbs the shock, and allows it to survive what would otherwise be a fatal fall.
Does Your Policy Cover Work on Steep Slope or Multi-Story Roofs?
The “Steep Slope” Exclusion That Almost Cost Me
I won a bid on a beautiful Victorian house with a very steep, 12/12 pitch roof. I was getting my crew ready when my agent called. He was reviewing my policy and saw a “steep slope” exclusion. My cheap policy only covered me for roofs with a pitch of 8/12 or less. I was about to start a job completely uninsured. We had to quickly find a new policy with a carrier that was comfortable with high-angle work. It was a terrifying lesson to always check your policy’s fine print.
Understanding Your Deductible for Wind/Hail Damage Claims Against Your Work
The First $2,500 is on Me
A hailstorm damaged a roof we had installed, and the homeowner claimed our installation was faulty. Our insurer defended us, but reminded us of our policy’s special “wind/hail damage” deductible. For most claims, our deductible was $1,000. But for claims specifically involving wind or hail damage to our work, the deductible was $2,500. This is common in storm-prone areas. It means you have to be prepared to pay a larger out-of-pocket cost for the most common types of weather-related claims.
Pollution Liability if Roofing Materials Contaminate Runoff?
The Sealant That Poisoned the Koi Pond
We were installing a flat roof on a commercial building using a strong, chemical-based sealant. That night, a heavy rain washed some of the uncured sealant off the roof, into the gutters, and directly into the client’s expensive koi pond, killing all the fish. Our General Liability policy denied the claim, citing the “pollution exclusion.” We learned the hard way that we needed a separate Contractor’s Pollution Liability policy to cover us from environmental damage caused by the materials we use.
What if Your Tarping Fails Before the Job is Done, Causing Water Damage?
The Midnight Thunderstorm
We tore off an old roof on a Monday, but a sudden thunderstorm rolled in that night before we could get the new shingles on. Our tarps failed, and water poured into the house, damaging the ceilings and walls. Was this our fault? It’s a grey area. Luckily, our General Liability policy included a specific endorsement for “property in our care, custody, or control.” This covered the water damage because the house was temporarily under our control, protecting us from a weather event we couldn’t predict.
Roofer Insurance: Essential Coverage Before You Step on That Ladder
The First Tool on the Job
What’s the first tool you need on any roofing job? It’s not a hammer or a nail gun. It’s your certificate of insurance. Before you take a single step up that ladder, you need the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re protected. Your insurance is the foundation of your business. It protects your crew, it protects the homeowner, and it protects your family’s financial future from the immense risks you take every single day. Don’t start the climb without it.