What insurance should quality roofing contractors carry?
Short answer. A quality roofing contractor should carry general liability insurance for damage to your property, workers' compensation for its crews, and commercial auto coverage for its trucks, and should be able to produce a current certificate of insurance on request. Verify the certificate with the issuing agent rather than trusting a photocopy.
The three coverages that matter to you
- General liability. Pays for damage the contractor causes to your home or property, such as a ceiling soaked during tear off or a cracked skylight, and for injuries to non-employees. Many established roofers carry $1 million or more per occurrence. These policies typically exclude the cost of redoing the contractor's own faulty work, which is why a written workmanship warranty also matters.
- Workers' compensation. Pays for crew injuries. Roofing is high risk work, and an uninsured worker hurt on your property may look elsewhere for compensation. Georgia generally requires it for businesses with three or more employees.
- Commercial auto. Covers the company's trucks and trailers, which matters when a dump trailer cracks your driveway or a truck clips your mailbox.
How to verify
- Ask for a certificate of insurance with you listed as certificate holder.
- Check that the named insured matches the company on your contract.
- Check that the policy dates cover your project.
- Call the agent or insurer listed and confirm the policies are active.
- If a subcontracted crew will do the work, ask whether it is covered and request its certificate too.
Insurance is the floor, not the ceiling
Coverage protects you from accidents. It says nothing about workmanship, claim experience, or whether the company will be around to honor a warranty. Weigh reviews, years in business, written warranties, and how the company handles insurance claims. Avoid any roofer who offers to cover your deductible; see deductible rules in Georgia and storm chaser warning signs.