Roofing Contractors Insurance Requirements

Roofing contractors present one of the highest insurance risk profiles of any trade a property manager will hire. Fall hazards, hot-applied roofing materials (torches, hot tar), and the potential for catastrophic water damage from incomplete or defective work make roofing a trade where strict insurance verification is non-negotiable. Roofing contractors consistently have some of the highest workers' compensation rates in the construction industry, reflecting the severity and frequency of injuries in this trade. Property managers should require roofing contractors to carry higher-than-standard GL limits — a minimum of $2M per occurrence and $4M aggregate is increasingly standard for commercial roofing work. Completed operations coverage must be verified explicitly, as a roofing defect that allows water intrusion may not be discovered for months. Many carriers offer roofing-specific policies with higher deductibles and specific exclusions, so review the policy terms carefully rather than relying solely on the COI face sheet. Always verify that the roofing contractor carries adequate umbrella coverage, particularly for multi-story buildings where the fall exposure is greater. Confirm that the contractor has a written safety program and that their Experience Modification Rate (EMR) is at or below 1.0, which indicates an average or better-than-average safety record. An EMR above 1.2 is a red flag that warrants additional due diligence.