General Liability Roofing Insurance Provides Top Level Coverage

Last Updated on November 20, 2022

Being a roofer, you are always aware of the potential risks to your business and the unanticipated expenses that could result if they aren’t planned for. From working at heights to dealing with sharp tools and materials, an accident always can occur. That’s why it’s so important to have adequate protection in place.

One of the most important types of business protection is general liability roofing insurance. This type of policy can help protect you financially if you are ever sued or held liable for damages caused by your operations.

General liability insurance can help cover the costs of legal fees, settlements, and judgments against you. It can also help pay for medical expenses if someone is injured while working on your roofing project.

And if you’re not covered, you could be forced to pay out of pocket for these expenses, which could quickly bankrupt your company. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you are properly insured before starting any roofing project.

In this article, we will discuss solutions to get you covered against unexpected events. This includes costs, top providers, what the policy covers, and other tips you may find useful.

What is general liability insurance for roofers?

As with the aforementioned, general liability insurance (GLI) is a policy that can help protect you financially if you are ever sued or held liable by a third party for damages caused by your services.

For roofers especially, falling is common because of the nature of your job. This means falling from heights or falling objects while conducting operations is likely, and being in the construction industry means you too are exposed to electrical hazards. These are only a couple of the things you should be wary of.

Moreover, it is also a policy that is often demanded by clients as a minimum requirement before hiring you for services. Thus, GLI adds to your credibility as a company since it covers you for any damages your work may unintentionally ensue.

What does roofers’ general liability insurance cover?

Roofers insurance can help protect you from a variety of risks including:

Medical bills for injured parties: If someone is injured while working on your roofing project, your policy can help pay for their medical expenses. Medical expenses cover anything from diagnosis to treatments and even rehabilitation if, let’s say, your client incurs any harm while visiting the property that you are working on.

Property damage repairs and replacements: Construction work comes with the possibility of damaging someone’s property–especially when you’re working on their roof.

Legal fees and settlements: And, in the event of a dispute wherein you are sued or need to go to court over an accident, your policy can help pay for your legal fees.

Advertising injury expenses: Your GLI also covers advertising injury or when you are accused of infringing on someone’s copyright or trademark and need to pay an attorney.

However, keep in mind that general liability only covers the risks to third parties. It does not, for example, cover your own assets, such as costly woodworking equipment and specialized work tools.

If you wish to protect these things, you’ll either have to add business property and automobile insurance to your policy.

While general liability is the most basic type of coverage, without it, you could be left with a hefty bill. That’s why it’s crucial to have adequate coverage.

How much does general liability roofing insurance cost?

The cost of roofing GLI will vary depending on a number of factors, including the projects you work on, the location of said projects, and the number of workers you have, among other factors.

Certainly, if you work in larger areas and need to supply more labor, you could expect to pay more for your premiums than would a smaller business. Ultimately, it would be beneficial to compare rates from multiple providers before making a decision.

How can I get the best general liability insurance for roofers?

To get the best liability insurance for roofers, you’ll need to shop around and compare rates from multiple providers. Be sure to have a clear understanding of what your needs before speaking with an agent since they will likely ask about the size of your company, your project types, and more.

It would also be beneficial to work with an independent agent who can help you find the right policy at the best rate. They can do the shopping and price comparisons for you so that you can focus on running your business.

In short, do your research, compare rates, and work with an independent agent to get the best possible coverage.

3 Best GLI Providers for Roofers

And while there are many roofing GLI providers out there, not all of them will be a good fit for your roofing business. To help you narrow down your options, here are three of the best GLI providers for roofers:

NEXT

NEXT Insurance is an online provider that offers GLI policies specifically for roofing contractors. You can get a quote and purchase a policy entirely online, and they have a live chat support team to help with any questions or claims you may have.

Their roofing contractor policies also come with other recommended options such as professional liability, commercial auto, tools and equipment, and commercial property insurance.

Whether you’re a start-up or have already running your roofing business for quite some time, NEXT will have a package for you as they categorize these into Basic, Pro, and Pro Plus depending on your size.

Embroker

Embroker is an insurtech (insurance + technology) company that automates the buying process for their clients. Customer service is available online through their live chat, email, or phone.

Embroker’s wrap-up coverage includes general liability insurance, which is covered in CCIP or Contractor Controlled Insurance packages. Almost all risks that could potentially arise during construction are covered under these types of contracts, which are sponsored by the general contractor working on the project. This includes damage to both the site and materials due to natural forces, as well as worker safety insurance in case any construction workers get hurt on the job.

As such, if you are a start-up, you may want to go with Embroker as they connect you with multiple insurers to get the coverage you need.

Thimble

Thimble is an on-demand insurance provider that offers GLI policies specifically for roofing contractors.

Their modern policies can be tailored not only to your coverage needs but also the time you need such coverages. This could be by the job, by the hour, day, week, or however short of a time you need. This would work best for side hustlers who are taking on mini projects and would like to access their policy all from their phone as Thimble offers a mobile app for ease of use.

The Bottom Line

As a roofing contractor, one of the most important things you can do is make sure you are properly insured. General liability roofers insurance can help protect you financially if you are ever sued or held liable for damages caused by your business operations.

Make sure you talk to your insurance company about the right level of coverage for your business. With the right protection in place, you can rest assured that you and your company are protected in the event of a lawsuit or other legal action.