What is a Roofing Contractor’s Defense Against Workplace Accidents?

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Written By Berry Mathew

According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), roofing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Residential roofing jobs account for 76% of fatalities in the United States. Considering the high percentage of fatalities, it’s a wise decision to be insured against any future accidents.

The first line of defense for any roofing contractor against accidents is a roofing contractors insurance policy. The objective of insurance is to prevent financial and other types of losses that may arise due to an accident. In this article, we’ll discuss roofing insurance in detail. 

What is roofing insurance?

It is an insurance policy that covers roofing contractors against claims made by their customers, workers, or other individuals or groups. There may be several instances where the roofer may be held responsible for damage to a customer’s property.

The damage may be caused by negligence or poor-quality work performed by the roofer. Roofing contractors insurance is essential to protect roofers from such legal claims and accusations.

Types of roofing insurance

Two types of roofing insurance are available on the market, namely commercial and residential roofing insurance.

Commercial roofing insurance costs are usually much higher than residential roof insurance. It is because commercial properties can have much more expensive items, equipment, furniture, and artifacts.

Commercial roofing insurance policies offer you up to $2 million in coverage. Some commercial property owners require $5 million in coverage due to higher property costs.

Residential roofing insurance coverage can be much lower. It depends on the value of the property and the cost of furniture, appliances, and other expensive items located on the property.

Benefits of insurance for roofing companies

1. Protection against liability

As a roofer, your business is exposed to the financial risks linked with the property damage or personal injury suffered by your customers, workers, or any other third party while conducting the roofing work.

The claims may also be legal if the third party suffers a financial loss due to your roofing work. The costs caused by these claims can run into the millions. You must get a roofing insurance policy to protect yourself from such third-party liability claims.

2. Helps you comply with legal requirements

Before assigning the work, many commercial and residential property owners ask if you have valid roofing liability insurance. A roofing contract gives them peace of mind, and you can commence roofing work with no further questions.

It also adds to your credibility by showcasing your reputation as a professional roofer. It is beneficial if you are a roofing company dealing with large and complex projects.

3. Provides protection for roofing tools

The roofing contract typically includes coverage for financial losses resulting from damage to your equipment/tools. The coverage reimburses the cost of repairing the damaged tools and equipment.

4. Protection for workers

Roofers insurance policies typically include coverage for medical expenses, loss of wages, and other related costs for injured workers while performing roofing work.

These are some of the benefits of purchasing a roofing policy. Choose a roofing contractors insurance policy wisely after carefully reviewing the coverage, premium, and other features.