What is an insurance-backed roofing guarantee?
Short answer. An insurance backed guarantee is a policy, common in the UK, that keeps a roofer's workmanship guarantee valid if the company goes out of business. In the United States the closest equivalents are manufacturer system warranties registered by certified contractors, some of which include manufacturer backed workmanship coverage, plus the roofer's own written workmanship warranty.
How it works where it is common
In the UK, a roofer can buy an insurance backed guarantee for each job. If the installer stops trading during the guarantee period, the insurer honors the remaining workmanship guarantee, typically by paying another contractor to fix covered defects. It does not cover storm damage, misuse, or problems outside the original guarantee's terms.
What exists in the United States
- Workmanship warranty from the roofer. Covers installation errors such as improper nailing, flashing, or ventilation. It is only as good as the company's longevity and willingness to honor it.
- Manufacturer limited warranty. Covers manufacturing defects in shingles and accessories, often prorated after an early period, and may exclude labor.
- Enhanced system warranties. Major shingle makers offer upgraded warranties when certified contractors install a full system of their components and register the job. Some include workmanship coverage backed by the manufacturer for a set number of years, which protects you if the installer is no longer around.
Questions to ask
- Which warranty am I getting, and will you register it? Ask for the registration confirmation.
- How long is your workmanship warranty, and is it in writing?
- Is it transferable if I sell?
- What voids it, such as pressure washing or another contractor altering the roof?
None of these replaces homeowners insurance, which covers sudden storm damage; see what insurance covers on a roof. Be cautious with out of town crews whose warranties may be hard to enforce; see storm chaser warning signs. Robust Roofing's warranty page lays out its coverage.