Does a contractor's general liability insurance cover roof damage?
Short answer. A contractor's general liability policy can pay for damage their work causes to your home, such as interior water damage after a crew left a roof open, or shingles broken by another trade working on the roof. It generally does not pay to redo the contractor's own faulty work, which falls back on the contractor and their warranty.
Common situations
- A roofer leaves the roof open and it rains. The ceiling, insulation and belongings damaged by the water are a typical liability claim against the roofer.
- Another trade damages the roof. An HVAC, solar, satellite or gutter installer cracks shingles or cuts a leak point.
- A tree service drops a limb on the house. Its liability insurance should respond.
The faulty work exclusion
Liability policies generally exclude the cost to fix the contractor's own defective work. If a roofer installed flashing wrong, fixing the flashing is the roofer's responsibility under its workmanship warranty. The water damage that resulted inside your home is where liability coverage usually comes in.
How to make the claim
- Photograph the damage and notify the contractor in writing right away.
- Ask for the contractor's insurance company, policy number and agent contact.
- Keep receipts for emergency drying and repairs.
- If the contractor stalls, you can file with your own homeowners insurer. You pay your deductible, and your insurer may pursue the contractor and recover it for you.
Before you hire anyone
Ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly from the contractor's insurance agent, and confirm both general liability and workers compensation. A roofer without insurance leaves you holding the risk. See how to vet a roofer after a storm and interior water damage coverage.