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Roofing is risky – there are no two ways about it. According to the government’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) over 50 of the 138 work-related fatalities in 2023/2024 were a result of falling from a height.
With that in mind, it’s important to consider roofers’ insurance (also called roofing insurance) to help safeguard you and your business. It’s a financial safety net, protecting you against the compensation fees and legal costs should a claim be raised against you.
What is roofers’ public liability insurance?
Roofers’ public liability insurance provides financial protection should you accidentally injure or kill a member of the public, or cause their property to become damaged or lost, while working. It’s the foundation for most roofing insurance policies.
What if a loose tile falls and hits someone? Or damages a car? You’ll likely face lofty legal fees. Your roofers’ public liability insurance will help cover those legal fees, as well as the compensation costs that may follow.
You may also be more likely to attract customers if you have comprehensive cover in place.
What other types of insurance should roofers consider?
Roofers’ public liability insurance is one of the most important policies to consider. But it’s not the only one.
Employers’ liability insurance can provide cover if an employee injures themselves or becomes ill while working for you. It’s legally required if you employ anyone in the UK who isn’t a direct family member. You can be fined £2,500 a day for each you are not properly insured in this way.
Tool insurance can provide compensation in the event that your roofing tools are stolen, damaged or misplaced. You may require additional cover if you will be leaving tools overnight in your vehicle. Bear in mind that many providers will have guidelines and exclusions – for example, if you haven’t taken steps to properly secure your equipment, it may not be covered.
Contract works insurance can provide compensation if your roofing project is disrupted or delayed. If, for example, a fire were to undo some, or all, of your work, contract work insurance could provide financial support to help get you back on track.
Personal accident insurance is also worth considering in case you’re unable to work due to an injury. If, for example, you were to fall from a ladder or scaffolding while working, personal accident insurance could provide compensation to cover the time you are out of work. In the worst case, personal accident insurance could also provide compensation to your dependents if you were fatally injured. Personal accident insurance will cover you for non-work-related accidents too.
Legal expenses insurance can provide financial support if your business is involved in a civil claim. If your tax accounts were investigated, for example, legal expenses coverage could help with financial support – or if you were to face a legal claim after terminating an employee’s contract.
If you use your van to drive regularly to multiple sites all over the country, transporting construction materials, you may need to take out some kind of business vehicle insurance such as commercial van insurance, though business van or business car insurance is an option if you simply use your vehicle to drive to a work site or to take workmates to a job. Business or commercial vehicle cover is not generally included in roofers’ insurance, so you’ll need to buy a standalone policy from a motor insurer.
Do I need roofers’ insurance?
By law, you need employers’ liability insurance if you employ anyone in the UK who isn’t an immediate family member. This insurance protects your business if an employee becomes ill or is injured as a direct result of working for you.
Other than employer’s liability insurance, you should also consider public liability insurance, tools insurance and personal accident cover.
What does roofers’ insurance cover?
Roofers’ insurance is a broad term referring to various insurance products. Each of which helps protect different areas of your business. A roofers’ insurance package will likely include:
- employers’ liability insurance
- public liability insurance
- tools insurance
- personal accident insurance
- legal fees insurance
- contract works insurance
Most insurance providers will allow you to select products to match your needs. It’s also worth noting that business insurance packages rarely include vehicle cover, so you may need to consider taking out business car insurance or commercial van insurance separately, depending on how vehicles are used in your business.
» MORE: What is business interruption insurance?
What isn’t usually covered by roofers’ insurance?
What is covered by roofers’ insurance depends on which policies you take out. Generally, insurance providers allow you to pick and choose the policies that suit you.
For example, if you chose not to include tools insurance in your policy, and your equipment gets stolen or damaged, you would not be covered for the losses or repairs.
It is worth checking with your insurer what is and isn’t covered by your policy to make sure it matches your needs.
How much does roofers’ insurance cost?
The cost of your roofing insurance premium depends on certain factors, such as the type of properties you work on, your level of experience and your claims history. Your premium will also be affected by how much cover you choose.
For example, a single roofer working alone on a single building will have lower premiums than a team of roofers working on several projects. The insurance needs will also vary, impacting the cost.
» MORE: Compare business insurance
Roofers’ Insurance FAQs
By law, you need employers’ liability insurance if you employ anyone in the UK outside your immediate family. Failure to have the correct insurance in place could result in a fine of £2,500 for every day you are not properly covered.
In addition to employers’ liability, public liability insurance is an important policy to consider. While it is not a legal requirement, it can provide cover against potential legal and compensation costs should you injure or kill someone, or damage their property or cause it to be lost. You may find that prospective clients will require you to have public liability insurance before hiring you.
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