Roofer Insurance
Public Liability Insurance for Roofers
Protect your roofing business with tailored cover from UK insurers.
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What Is Roofer Insurance?
Roofer insurance is a package of cover designed to protect roofing contractors and self-employed roofers from claims, tool theft, on-site injuries, and damage to materials or third-party property.
Most policies combine public liability insurance with tool cover, personal accident protection, and employer’s liability. Roofers can also add contract works insurance to protect materials and labour on longer projects.
Roofing is one of the highest-risk trades to insure because every job involves working at height, exposed to weather, and near expensive property. The right business insurance policy covers these risks so a single dropped tile or scaffold collapse doesn’t put your livelihood at risk.
How To Compare Roofer Insurance Quotes
You can compare roofer insurance quotes at SimplyQuote.co.uk in under 5 minutes by entering your trade details and reviewing quotes from UK insurers.
Enter your details
Select roofing as your trade, then confirm your postcode, business setup, turnover, and maximum working height. The form also asks about tool values, claims history, and whether you need employer’s liability.
Compare quotes
You’ll see quotes from tradesman insurers who cover high-risk trades, each showing the premium, policy limits, and height restrictions. Compare on cover depth rather than price alone.
Check policy details
Read the policy wording before you buy. Check the maximum working height, any heat or torch exclusions, overnight tool storage requirements, and whether contract works cover is included.
Buy online
Once you’ve chosen a policy, go directly to the insurer to complete your purchase. There are no middlemen and no cold calls.
What Does Roofer Insurance Cover?
A typical roofer insurance policy includes public liability, employer’s liability, tool cover, personal accident insurance, contract works protection, and legal expenses cover.
Public liability insurance
Public liability covers legal costs and compensation if your work injures someone or damages their property. Common roofing claims include tiles falling onto parked cars, debris hitting passers-by, and water damage from incomplete work.
Employer’s liability insurance
This is a legal requirement under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 if you employ anyone, including casual labourers and seasonal help. The legal minimum is £5 million of cover, and failing to hold it can result in fines of up to £2,500 per day.
Tool and equipment cover
Roofing tools and equipment are expensive and constantly moved between sites. Tool cover protects against theft, loss, and accidental damage to items like nail guns, tile cutters, harnesses, and battery-powered saws. Most insurers require tools stored in a van to be in a locked vehicle with additional security. Unsecured tools left on open scaffolding or rooftops are rarely covered.
Personal accident insurance
This pays a lump sum or weekly benefit if you’re injured and can’t work. For roofers who face daily fall risks, personal accident cover is one of the most important add-ons.
Contract works insurance
This protects materials, labour, and partly completed work against damage from fire, theft, vandalism, or storm. If a client’s new roof is damaged by high winds overnight before you’ve finished, contract works cover pays to put it right.
Legal expenses cover
This covers the cost of defending contract disputes, tax investigations, or legal claims not included under your liability policies. Most policies offer between £100,000 and £250,000 of protection.
| Cover Type | What It Protects | Who Needs It | Typical Limit |
| Public liability | Third-party injury and property damage | All roofers | £1M to £10M |
| Employer’s liability | Staff injury or illness at work | Anyone with employees | £5M minimum (legal requirement) |
| Tool cover | Theft, loss, or damage to equipment | Roofers carrying tools | £5,000 to £15,000 |
| Personal accident | Income loss from your own injury | Self-employed roofers | Up to £500 per week |
| Contract works | Damage to materials on site | Roofers on multi-day projects | £50,000 to £500,000 |
| Legal expenses | Contract disputes and investigations | All roofers (optional) | £100,000 to £250,000 |
Does Roofer Insurance Cover Working At Height?
Yes, roofer insurance covers working at height, but most policies set a maximum height limit that you must declare during the quote process. Exceeding your declared limit without updating your policy can invalidate a claim.
What are the standard height limits?
Insurers set height thresholds based on fall risk. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 define working at height as any place where a person could fall a distance liable to cause injury, and insurers use this as the basis for their limits.
| Working Height | Risk Level | Insurance Impact | Common Jobs |
| Up to 10m | Standard | Included in most policies | Domestic houses, extensions, garages |
| 10m to 15m | Higher | May need enhanced cover | Small commercial, blocks of flats |
| Over 15m | Specialist | Bespoke underwriting required | Industrial units, multi-storey buildings |
What happens if you exceed your declared height?
If you work above the height stated on your policy and make a claim, your insurer can reject it. The HSE also requires all roofers to carry out a risk assessment before any work at height, so both your insurance and your legal obligations depend on accurate declarations.
What Isn’t Covered By Roofer Insurance?
Most roofer insurance policies exclude asbestos work, undeclared height limits, heat application, unsecured tools, and faulty workmanship.
Asbestos removal or exposure
If you work on buildings built before 2000, roof tiles, insulation, and soffits may contain asbestos. Most standard roofer policies exclude asbestos-related work entirely. If you encounter asbestos, HSE regulations require a licensed contractor to handle the removal before you continue working.
Working above undeclared height limits
If your policy covers work up to 10 metres but you take a job on a three-storey building at 12 metres, any claim from that job could be rejected. Always update your declared height before starting higher work.
Heat or torch application
Torch-on felt roofing and heat welding are common in flat roof work, but many standard policies exclude them. If you use heat or open flame on the job, check that your policy specifically includes it.
Unsecured tools and equipment
If tools are stolen from an unlocked van, open scaffold, or unattended rooftop, most insurers will reject the claim. Lock and alarm requirements are usually written into the policy wording.
Faulty workmanship
Public liability covers injury and property damage caused by your work, but it won’t pay to fix a roof that simply leaks because it was laid badly. That’s a quality dispute, not an insurance claim.
How Much Does Roofer Insurance Cost?
Basic roofer insurance starts from around £200 to £400 per year for public liability only. A full policy with tool cover, contract works, and employer’s liability can cost £1,500 to £3,000 or more depending on your setup.
What affects the price?
Roofing is classed as a high-risk trade, so premiums are higher than for ground-level trades like gardening or decorating. Your working height, turnover, number of employees, and tool values all affect the quote.
Whether you do flat or pitched roofing, domestic or commercial work, and whether you use heat or torch also matters. A clean claims record over several years can reduce your renewal by 10% to 20%.
What do the numbers show?
Costs vary by insurer and region, so comparing quotes is the most reliable way to find the right deal. Typical tradesman insurance costs give you a useful benchmark when comparing roofer quotes.
Related: How Much Does Public Liability Insurance Cost In The UK?
Do Self-Employed Roofers Need Insurance?
Self-employed roofers aren’t legally required to carry public liability insurance, but almost no contractor, developer, or domestic client will hire a roofer without it. On most building sites, proof of cover is a condition of entry.
What are the risks without cover?
A single claim for a falling tile injuring a passer-by or water damage to a client’s property can cost tens of thousands of pounds. Without insurance, you’d pay legal fees and compensation from your own pocket.
Most main contractors and site managers now require proof of at least £2 million of public liability, with many commercial sites demanding £5 million or £10 million.
Related: Do I Need Public Liability Insurance?
What do most sole traders choose?
Most self-employed roofers opt for £2 million of public liability plus tool cover and personal accident protection. If you work alone with no employees, you won’t need employer’s liability.
But if you ever bring in a labourer, even for a single day, employer’s liability becomes a legal requirement. Many sole traders don’t realise this until a claim is made.
Does Roofer Insurance Cover Subcontractors?
Subcontractors and labourers aren’t automatically covered by your roofer insurance. The type of cover you need depends on how they work with you and whether they carry their own policy.
Labour-only subcontractors
If someone works under your supervision, uses your tools, and follows your instructions, they count as labour-only. You’ll need employer’s liability insurance to cover them, even if they only work with you for a single day.
Bona fide subcontractors
A bona fide subcontractor brings their own tools, carries their own insurance, and works independently. You don’t need to cover them, but your insurer may ask you to verify their policy documents before they start.
Casual or seasonal help
Roofing businesses often scale up during dry-weather months. If you bring in extra hands, even temporarily, and don’t declare them, you risk having a claim rejected entirely.
Always notify your insurer if your setup changes mid-year. A policy that only covers you as a sole trader won’t protect you if a labourer falls from your scaffold.
How To Save Money on Roofer Insurance
You can reduce your roofer insurance costs by declaring your working height accurately, matching your cover to your actual work, and comparing quotes annually.
Declare your working height accurately
If you rarely work above 10 metres, say so. Leaving your height declaration open-ended or overestimating it can push your premium higher than necessary.
Choose the right public liability limit
£1 million of public liability may be enough for domestic work. You’ll only need £5 million or £10 million if you work on commercial sites or for main contractors.
Secure your tools properly
Fit additional locks, an alarm, or a tool vault to your van. If you use scaffolding, don’t leave tools on the platform overnight. Insurers reward proper security with lower premiums. Meeting their requirements also means your claim won’t be rejected for poor storage.
Compare quotes every year
Auto-renewing without checking the market often means overpaying. A five-minute comparison can reveal better deals, especially if your height, turnover, or staff numbers have changed.
Increase your voluntary excess
Agreeing to cover a larger share of any claim yourself can reduce your annual premium. This works best if you have a clean claims record and rarely make small claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Public liability isn’t legally required, but employer’s liability is mandatory if you hire anyone. Most contractors and site managers also require proof of public liability before allowing roofers on-site.
Yes, but most policies set a maximum working height. If you exceed your declared limit without updating your policy, your insurer can reject a claim.
Yes, most policies cover both flat and pitched work. If you also do specialist work like green roofs or heritage slate, make sure your policy reflects it.
Most standard roofer policies exclude asbestos-related work. If you encounter asbestos on a job, a licensed removal contractor must handle it before you continue.
Not always. Torch-on felt and heat welding are excluded from many standard policies because of the fire risk, so check your policy wording before taking on hot-work jobs.
Only if your van meets the insurer’s security requirements. Most policies require additional locks or an alarm beyond standard factory central locking.
Main contractors almost always require proof of public liability and employer’s liability before granting access. Larger construction projects may also demand specific cover levels and method statements.
If your roofing work extends into general construction, your insurer needs to know. Separate builders insurance may be needed if construction makes up a large part of your workload.
Most insurers offer same-day or next-day cover. If you compare quotes online, you can often have a policy in place within minutes.
If you erect your own scaffolding, make sure this is declared on your policy. Specialist scaffolding insurance may be needed if scaffold erection is a regular part of your work.
