Roofer Insurance
Roofer Insurance Quotes
Cover for the roof, the tools and the drop below.
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Compare insurance quotes from UK’s leading roofer insurers including:
What Is Roofer Insurance?
Roofer insurance is a package of business covers designed to protect roofing contractors from claims, tool theft, on-site injuries, and damage to third-party property.
A typical policy combines public liability with tool cover, personal accident protection, and contract works insurance. Roofers can add employer’s liability as soon as they take on any staff.
Roofing is one of the highest-risk trades to insure because every job involves working at height, exposure to weather, and proximity to expensive property. The right policy means a single dropped tile or scaffold collapse does not put your livelihood at risk.
How To Compare Roofer Insurance Quotes
Comparing quotes from several insurers takes a few minutes and can cut hundreds of pounds from your annual premium.
Enter your trade details
Select roofing as your trade, then confirm your postcode, turnover, maximum working height, tool values, and claims history. State whether you do flat, pitched, or both.
Choose your cover level
Select public liability of £1 million, £2 million, or £5 million. Add employer’s liability if you hire anyone and professional indemnity if you give design or specification advice.
Add optional extras
Tool cover, contract works, personal accident, and legal expenses are the most common additions for roofers. Only add what matches your actual workload.
Review and buy
Check height exclusions, heat or torch clauses, and overnight tool storage requirements. Confirm your insurer is regulated on the Financial Conduct Authority register before committing.
What Does Roofer Insurance Cover?
A standard roofer insurance policy covers the core risks every roofing contractor faces, from third-party injury through to theft of tools and damage to materials on site.
Public Liability Insurance
Pays compensation and legal fees if your work injures a member of the public or damages a client’s property. Common roofing claims include tiles falling onto parked cars and water damage from incomplete work.
Employer’s Liability Insurance
A legal requirement under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 as soon as you take on any staff, including casual labourers and seasonal help.
The legal minimum is £5 million, though most insurers provide £10 million as standard. Fines for not having cover reach up to £2,500 per day.
Tool and Equipment Cover
Protects against theft, loss, and accidental damage to items like nail guns, tile cutters, harnesses, and battery-powered saws. Cover limits typically range from £5,000 to £15,000.
Contract Works Insurance
Covers materials, labour, and partly completed work against fire, theft, vandalism, or storm damage. If a client’s new roof is damaged by high winds overnight before handover, contract works pays to put it right.
Personal Accident Insurance
Provides a lump sum or weekly benefit if you are injured and cannot work. For roofers who face daily fall risks, personal accident cover is one of the most important add-ons.
Legal Expenses Cover
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.
What Are The Typical Cover Limits?
Each part of a roofer insurance policy protects something different, and the limit insurers offer varies with it.
| Cover Type | What It Protects | Typical Limit |
| Public liability | Third-party injury and property damage | £1M to £10M |
| Employer’s liability | Staff injury or illness at work | £5M minimum (legal requirement) |
| Tool cover | Theft, loss, or damage to equipment | £5,000 to £15,000 |
| Contract works | Materials and work in progress on site | £50,000 to £500,000 |
| Personal accident | Income loss from your own injury | Up to £500 per week |
| Legal expenses | Contract disputes and investigations | £100,000 to £250,000 |
Does Roofer Insurance Cover Working At Height?
Yes, but most policies set a maximum working height you must declare when getting a quote. Exceeding your declared limit without updating your policy can invalidate a claim.
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.
| Working Height | Risk Level | Insurance Impact |
| Up to 10 m | Standard | Included in most policies |
| 10 m to 15 m | Higher | May need enhanced cover or higher premium |
| Over 15 m | Specialist | Bespoke underwriting required |
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.
What Is Not Covered By Roofer Insurance?
Every policy has exclusions, and knowing them before you start a job prevents a rejected claim when you need cover most.
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.
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.
Undeclared Working Heights
If your policy covers work up to 10 metres but you take a job at 12 metres, any claim from that job could be rejected. Always update your declared height before starting higher work.
Unsecured Tools
Tools stolen from an unlocked van, open scaffold, or unattended rooftop are rarely covered. Lock and alarm requirements are usually written into the policy wording.
Faulty Workmanship
Public liability covers damage your work causes to third parties, but it will not pay to fix a roof that leaks because it was laid badly. That is a quality dispute, not an insurance claim.
How Much Does Roofer Insurance Cost?
Basic roofer insurance starts from around £150 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.
| Cover Level | Sole Trader (Domestic) | Small Team (2–3 Staff) |
| Public liability £1M | £150–£400/yr | £350–£600/yr |
| Public liability £5M | £350–£600/yr | £500–£900/yr |
| Add tool cover (£10,000) | +£60–£120/yr | +£80–£150/yr |
| Add contract works (£100k) | +£80–£180/yr | +£100–£250/yr |
| Add employer’s liability | N/A (sole trader) | +£150–£350/yr |
Example: a sole trader in Birmingham doing domestic pitched roofing up to 10 metres, £2 million public liability plus £10,000 tool cover and personal accident, would typically pay £450–£700 per year.
Adding two labourers and £10 million employer’s liability increases the cost to around £1,200–£2,000 per year. Paying monthly rather than annually usually adds 8–11% to the total.
Does Roofer Insurance Cover Subcontractors?
Subcontractors and labourers are not automatically covered by your roofer insurance. The cover you need depends on how they work with you.
Labour-Only Subcontractors
If someone works under your supervision, uses your tools, and follows your instructions, they count as labour-only. You need employer’s liability to cover them, even for a single day.
Bona Fide Subcontractors
A bona fide subcontractor brings their own tools, carries their own insurance, and works independently. Electricians or plumbers you bring in for second-fix work should carry their own cover.
Casual or Seasonal Help
Roofing businesses often scale up during dry-weather months. If you bring in extra hands without declaring them, you risk having a claim rejected entirely.
What Affects Your Roofer Insurance Premium?
Roofing is a high-risk trade, so insurers assess several factors before quoting a premium.
Maximum Working Height
The higher you work, the more you pay. A roofer who stays below 10 metres on domestic houses pays far less than one who works on three-storey commercial buildings.
Type of Roofing
Flat roofing with torch-on felt or hot bitumen carries a fire risk that pitched roofing does not. Specialist work on heritage slate or listed buildings also attracts higher premiums.
Number of Employees
Each additional worker increases the employer’s liability premium. Sole traders pay less than businesses with two or three staff.
Claims History
A clean record with no recent claims earns lower premiums. Even a small past claim can push renewal prices up for several years.
Turnover and Contract Size
Higher annual turnover and larger contracts increase your exposure. Roofers who also take on general construction work may need higher limits, which adds to the cost.
How To Save Money On Roofer Insurance
Roofer insurance is more expensive than most trades, but there are practical ways to reduce your premium without losing the cover you need.
Declare Your Working Height Accurately
If you rarely work above 10 metres, say so. Leaving your height declaration open-ended or overestimating it pushes your premium higher than necessary.
Secure Your Tools Properly
Fit additional locks, an alarm, or a tool vault to your van and never leave tools on scaffolding platforms overnight. Insurers reward proper security with lower premiums.
Choose the Right Liability Limit
£1 million of public liability may be enough for domestic work. You only need £5 million or £10 million if you work on commercial sites or for main contractors.
Compare Quotes Every Year
Auto-renewing without checking the market often means overpaying. A quick tradesman insurance comparison each year often reveals a better deal.
Pay Annually
Monthly instalments are convenient but typically add 8–11% to the total cost. Paying in full at renewal saves money over twelve months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Public liability is not legally required, but employer’s liability is compulsory as soon as you hire anyone, even on a casual basis. Most contractors and site managers also require proof of public liability before granting access.
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. 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 cover. If you compare quotes online, you can often have a policy in place within minutes.
If you erect your own scaffolding, declare this on your policy. Specialist scaffolding insurance may be needed if scaffold erection is a regular part of your work.
