New York Roofing Contractor Insurance

General Liability Insurance

The foundation of any roofing insurance program. General liability covers claims of bodily injury or property damage arising from your business operations. For roofers, this includes damage to a customer's property during tear-off (broken windows, damaged landscaping, dented vehicles), injuries to third parties on or near the jobsite, and debris-related damage to neighboring properties.

Standard limits are typically $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate, though many general contractors and property owners require higher limits for roofing work.

Products & Completed Operations

This is one of the most critical coverages for roofing contractors. Completed operations covers claims that arise from work you have already finished and turned over to the customer. If a roof you installed six months ago develops leaks that cause water damage to the building interior, or improperly sealed flashing leads to mold and structural damage, completed operations coverage may respond to the resulting claim.

Important: The coverage typically pays for resulting damage (water damage to ceilings, walls, and contents) but not the cost of redoing the defective roofing work itself.

Workers' Compensation

Mandatory in New York for virtually all businesses with employees. Workers' comp covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job. Roofing is one of the highest-risk trades for workplace injuries—falls from roofs, ladders, and scaffolds account for the majority of serious injuries and fatalities in the industry.

Roofers are typically classified under workers' comp code 5551 (roofing), which carries some of the highest rates in construction. Rates vary by classification, payroll, and risk factors but are among the most expensive in New York construction trades. Learn more about NY Workers' Comp

Commercial Auto Insurance

If you use vehicles for your roofing business—whether trucks, flatbeds, trailers, or personal vehicles used for business purposes—you need commercial auto coverage. This covers liability for accidents as well as physical damage to your vehicles. Roofing businesses often have heavy trucks transporting materials like shingles, rolls of membrane, and equipment, which creates additional exposure. Personal auto policies typically exclude vehicles used for business purposes.

Inland Marine / Tools & Equipment

Your roofing tools, nail guns, compressors, tear-off equipment, safety harnesses, and materials stored on-site represent a significant investment. Inland marine insurance covers these items against theft, damage, and loss—whether stored at your shop, on a trailer, or at the jobsite. Roofing materials left on-site overnight are particularly vulnerable to theft and weather damage. Standard property policies may not cover tools and equipment used at various locations away from your premises.

Commercial Umbrella / Excess Liability

Provides additional liability limits above your general liability, auto, and employers liability policies. Given the impact of New York's Scaffold Law on fall-related injury claims and the potential severity of completed operations claims from roof failures, many roofing contractors carry $2 million to $5 million or more in umbrella coverage. Some general contractors and property owners require minimum umbrella limits before allowing roofers on their projects.

Surety Bonds

Many New York municipalities and project owners require roofing contractors to post surety bonds. Performance bonds guarantee that the project will be completed according to contract terms, while payment bonds ensure that subcontractors and suppliers are paid. Bond requirements vary by project size and jurisdiction—check with your local building department and review contract requirements for specific bonding needs.

Scaffold Law Exposure

New York's strict liability standard for gravity-related injuries is the single largest driver of roofing insurance costs in the state. Because roofers work at height on every job, every project carries potential Scaffold Law exposure. The resulting claims can be substantial, and insurers price this risk into both general liability and workers' compensation premiums.

Fall Frequency and Severity

According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry and a leading cause of serious injuries. Roofing work is particularly susceptible to fall incidents due to the constant exposure to heights, steep pitches, wet surfaces, and edge hazards. The high frequency and severity of fall claims directly translate to higher workers' compensation and general liability premiums.

Completed Operations Claims

Roof failures can cause extensive property damage—water infiltration, mold growth, structural deterioration, and damage to building contents. These completed operations claims can be very expensive, especially on commercial buildings where the resulting damage may affect multiple tenants and expensive equipment. Insurers factor this significant exposure into roofing premiums.

Seasonal Operations and Weather

Many New York roofing operations are seasonal, with intense activity during warmer months. This compressed work schedule can lead to longer hours, fatigue, and increased accident risk. Weather-related hazards—wet surfaces, high winds, ice, and temperature extremes—create additional safety challenges unique to roofing work.