Whose insurance covers a roofing accident at your home?
Short answer. The roofing company's insurance should: workers' compensation covers injured workers, and general liability covers damage to your home or injuries to other people. If the contractor is uninsured, a claim can land on your homeowners policy, so verify both coverages before work starts.
Common roofing accidents
- A worker falls from the roof or a ladder
- Shingles or tools fall onto cars, decks, or people
- Rain gets in during tear off and damages ceilings
- Nails left in the driveway puncture tires
- Dumpsters crack driveways or damage landscaping
Which policy pays
- Worker injuries: the contractor's workers' compensation. Georgia generally requires businesses with three or more employees to carry it, but subcontracted crews may be covered under a separate company or not at all. Ask who the crew works for.
- Damage to your property or injuries to visitors: the contractor's general liability policy.
- Damage to your car: often the contractor's liability policy, though your auto policy may also respond.
- If the contractor has no coverage: an injured worker or neighbor may look to your homeowners liability coverage, and property damage may become your own claim, subject to your deductible.
Protect yourself before work starts
- Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation, with you named as certificate holder.
- Call the agent listed on the certificate to confirm the policy is active for your project dates.
- Get a written contract naming the company doing the work.
- Move cars, cover attic belongings, and ask the crew to run a magnetic sweep for nails at the end of the day.
If an accident happens
Photograph the damage, notify the contractor in writing, and ask them to open a claim with their insurer. Uninsured or disappearing contractors are a hallmark of storm chasing; see storm chaser warning signs.