Roofing Contractor Insurance & Bonding
If you are bidding commercial or public work, you also need bonds. Many roofing contractors do not realize that their state may require a license bond just to pull a roofing permit. And if you are chasing larger projects - schools, government buildings, commercial developments - you will need performance and payment bonds to even submit a bid.
Grit Insurance Group builds insurance and bonding programs specifically for roofing contractors. We do not just sell you a policy. We help you put together a program that keeps you legal, protects your crew, satisfies your GCs, and qualifies you for the work you want to win.
Roofing Contractor Bonds
Most insurance agents skip the bonding conversation with roofers entirely. That is a mistake. Bonding is often the first thing a roofing contractor needs - and the last thing their agent brings up.
License Bonds
Many states require roofing contractors to carry a license bond before they can legally operate. This is not insurance. A license bond is a guarantee to the state that you will follow licensing laws and regulations. Bond amounts vary by state, typically ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 for residential roofers and higher for commercial classifications.
If you are getting your roofing license for the first time - or expanding into a new state - the license bond is step one. Requirements vary by state, so confirm with your state licensing board.
Performance and Payment Bonds
If you bid on commercial roofing projects, public works, or government contracts, you will need performance and payment bonds. Federal projects over $150,000 require both under the Miller Act. Most states have their own versions (called Little Miller Acts) that apply to state-funded work at lower thresholds.
Performance bonds guarantee you will complete the project. Payment bonds guarantee you will pay your subcontractors and suppliers. Both are typically required at 100% of the contract value.
Here is what matters for roofers: qualifying for these bonds is not just about having good credit. Sureties look at your financial statements, work history, equipment, crew capacity, and backlog. If you have never been through the bonding process before, it can feel like applying for a mortgage on your business.
That is exactly where we help. Grit's bond team works with roofing contractors to build the underwriting file, position your financials, and get you approved. We do not just submit your application and hope. We go to market on your behalf and find the surety that fits your situation.
Check your bond readiness with our free Contractor Bond Scorecard
Insurance Coverage Every Roofer Needs
A complete roofing contractor insurance program covers six areas. Miss any one of them and you are exposed.
General Liability
This is your foundation. General liability covers third-party bodily injury and property damage caused by your roofing work. If a shingle blows off a completed job and damages a neighbor's car, GL responds. If a client trips over materials on the jobsite, GL responds.
For roofers, completed operations coverage is critical. Roofing claims often show up months or even years after the job is done - a leak develops, flashing fails, a warranty claim turns into a liability claim. Make sure your GL policy includes completed operations and that the limits are high enough to satisfy your GC requirements. Most commercial projects require $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate at minimum.
Workers Compensation
Roofing carries some of the highest workers comp rates in construction. Class code 5551 (roofing - all kinds) reflects the fall exposure and injury frequency in this trade. Your rates are driven by your state, payroll, claims history, and experience modification rate (EMR).
A clean safety record and a low EMR can save you thousands per year on workers comp premiums. If your EMR is above 1.0, it is costing you money on every project - and it may be disqualifying you from work with GCs who set EMR thresholds for their subcontractors.
We help roofers understand their EMR, build safety programs that drive it down, and find carriers that price your workers comp fairly based on your actual loss history - not just your class code.
Commercial Auto
If you have trucks hauling materials, trailers carrying equipment, or crews driving to jobsites, you need commercial auto coverage. Personal auto policies do not cover vehicles used for business - and most roofing contractors have multiple trucks on the road every day.
Commercial auto covers liability if your driver causes an accident, physical damage to your vehicles, and hired/non-owned auto for employees using personal vehicles on company business. If you are running a fleet of five or more trucks, fleet pricing can reduce your per-vehicle cost significantly.
Inland Marine / Tools and Equipment
Roofing equipment is expensive - nail guns, compressors, safety harnesses, ladders, lifts, and material hoists add up fast. Inland marine coverage (also called contractor's equipment or tools coverage) protects your equipment whether it is on the jobsite, in transit, or stored in your shop.
Standard property policies often exclude equipment in transit or at temporary locations. Inland marine fills that gap. If a trailer full of roofing tools gets stolen from a jobsite overnight, this is the coverage that pays.
Builders Risk
If you are a roofing GC taking on full roof replacement projects - not just subcontracting under another GC - you may need builders risk coverage. This protects the structure and materials during construction against fire, wind, theft, and vandalism. Many project owners and lenders require it.
Umbrella / Excess Liability
Roofing is a high-exposure trade. A single fall injury or major property damage claim can exceed your underlying GL and auto limits. An umbrella policy provides additional limits above your primary policies - typically in $1 million increments.
For roofers working on commercial projects, an umbrella is not optional. Most GCs require $2 million to $5 million in umbrella coverage from their roofing subcontractors. The cost is relatively low compared to the protection it provides.
How Much Does Roofing Contractor Insurance Cost
Roofing contractor insurance costs more than most other trades. That is the reality of working at height. But the actual cost depends on several factors specific to your business:
- Annual revenue and payroll - Higher numbers mean higher premiums across all lines
- Number of employees - More crew members mean more workers comp exposure
- Claims history - A clean record for 3-5 years makes a significant difference
- Experience modification rate (EMR) - Below 1.0 saves money. Above 1.0 costs money.
- Types of roofing work - Residential shingle work prices differently than commercial flat roof or metal roofing
- Project locations and heights - Multi-story work increases risk and premiums
- Subcontractor use - Using uninsured subs creates liability gaps that carriers price into your program
We are not going to quote a number on a webpage because every roofing contractor is different. What we will tell you is this: the cheapest policy is almost always the most expensive mistake. Roofers who buy minimum coverage to check a box end up paying out of pocket when a real claim happens - or they lose a commercial bid because their limits do not meet the GC's requirements.
The right approach is building a program that matches your actual risk, satisfies your contract requirements, and positions you to bid the work you want. That is what we do.
Roofing Subcontractor Insurance Requirements
If you subcontract roofing work under a general contractor, you will be asked to provide proof of insurance before you set foot on the jobsite. Here is what most GCs require from roofing subs:
Certificate of Insurance (COI) - A document showing your current coverage, policy numbers, and limits. Your agent should be able to issue these same-day.
Additional Insured Endorsement - The GC (and often the project owner) needs to be listed as an additional insured on your GL policy. This gives them protection under your policy for claims arising from your work.
Waiver of Subrogation - This prevents your insurance carrier from going after the GC's insurance to recover claim payments. Most commercial contracts require it.
Minimum Limits - Typical requirements for roofing subcontractors on commercial projects:
- General Liability: $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate
- Workers Comp: Statutory limits with $1M employers liability
- Commercial Auto: $1M combined single limit
- Umbrella: $2M to $5M depending on project size
If you cannot meet these requirements, you cannot get on the job. We make sure your program is built to satisfy the contracts you are signing - before you sign them.
Why Roofers Work with Grit
We are not a quote mill. We do not sell you the cheapest policy we can find and move on to the next call.
Grit Insurance Group is an independent brokerage that specializes in contractor insurance and surety bonding. That means two things for roofers:
We shop the market for you. As an independent agency, we work with dozens of carriers - not just one. We find the carrier that fits your risk profile, your claims history, and your budget. If one carrier prices roofing too high, we move to the next one.
We handle your bonds and your insurance together. Most agents do not touch surety. We lead with it. When you need a license bond to get started, a bid bond to chase a project, or a performance bond to land a commercial contract - we build that program alongside your insurance. One team. One relationship. No gaps.
We work with roofing contractors nationwide. Whether you are a two-person crew doing residential re-roofs or a 50-person company bidding public works, we build the program that matches where you are and where you are going.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do roofers need a surety bond?
In many states, yes. Many states require a contractor license bond for roofing contractors before you can get licensed. Bond amounts vary by state. If you are bidding on public or commercial projects, you will also need bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds.
What insurance do I need to start a roofing company?
At minimum, you need general liability insurance and workers compensation (required in almost every state if you have employees). Most states also require a contractor license bond. As you grow, you will need commercial auto, inland marine for tools and equipment, and an umbrella policy to meet GC contract requirements.
How much is general liability insurance for a roofer?
It varies based on your revenue, payroll, claims history, location, and type of roofing work. Roofing GL rates are higher than most trades because of the fall exposure and property damage risk. Get a quote based on your specific business rather than relying on online estimates.
What is the workers comp class code for roofing?
The standard NCCI workers comp class code for roofing is 5551. This is one of the highest-rated class codes in construction due to the fall risk and injury frequency associated with roof work. Your actual rate depends on your state, EMR, and claims history.
Do I need a performance bond for commercial roofing work?
For public projects, yes. Federal projects over $150,000 require performance and payment bonds under the Miller Act. Most states have similar requirements for state-funded projects. Many private commercial projects also require bonds from roofing subcontractors, especially on larger jobs.
Can I get bonded with bad credit?
Possibly. For smaller license bonds, credit is a major factor. For larger performance bond programs, sureties look at the full picture - financial statements, work history, equipment, and management. We work with roofers who have been declined elsewhere and find paths to approval. Start with our Bond Scorecard to see where you stand.
What does additional insured mean for a roofing subcontractor?
It means the general contractor is added to your GL policy as a protected party. If a claim arises from your roofing work, the GC has coverage under your policy. Almost every commercial contract requires this endorsement before you can start work.
Get Your Roofing Insurance and Bonding Program Started
Call us at (801) 505-5500 or check your bond readiness with our free Contractor Bond Scorecard. We build programs for roofing contractors nationwide - from license bonds to full commercial insurance packages.
