Roofing work comes with risks that many other trades do not face.

Working at height, moving heavy materials and operating above homes, vehicles and occupied commercial premises mean that even a small mistake can cause serious injury or expensive property damage.

Public liability insurance is not generally a legal requirement for roofers in the UK. However, it remains one of the most important forms of protection a roofing business can arrange.

Many customers, principal contractors and commercial clients will also expect to see evidence of suitable cover before allowing work to begin.

In practice, operating without public liability insurance could leave a roofer personally responsible for legal fees, compensation and repair costs if someone is injured or their property is damaged.

What Is Public Liability Insurance for Roofers?

Public liability insurance for roofers is designed to protect your business against claims made by members of the public, customers and other third parties.

It can respond when your roofing work causes:

  • Injury to another person
  • Accidental damage to someone else’s property
  • Legal costs associated with defending a claim
  • Compensation that your business is required to pay

The cover applies to third-party claims rather than injuries sustained by you or your employees. Separate policies may therefore be needed to protect your workforce, tools, vehicles, materials and work in progress.

At CHAS Insurance, we arrange insurance for roofers around the way each business operates. 

This may include public liability alongside employers’ liability, contractors’ all risks, tools, plant, fleet and other forms of commercial cover.

Why Is Public Liability Insurance Important for Roofers?

Roofers often work directly above people, properties and valuable belongings. That creates the potential for claims even when appropriate safety procedures are followed.

A loose tile, dropped tool or unsecured piece of material could damage a vehicle or injure somebody below. Incomplete roofing work could allow rainwater into a property, while accidental damage to guttering, brickwork or neighbouring buildings could result in substantial repair costs.

Public liability insurance gives roofing contractors financial protection against these types of third-party claims.

Without cover, the business may need to fund the following itself:

  • Solicitors’ fees
  • Court costs
  • Compensation payments
  • Repairs to damaged property
  • Medical or rehabilitation expenses
  • Other costs awarded as part of a claim

A significant claim could place considerable pressure on the finances of a self-employed roofer or established roofing company.

What Types of Roofing Claims Could Be Covered?

Every policy is different, and the precise cover will depend on its wording, conditions and exclusions. However, examples of incidents that could lead to a public liability claim include:

Falling Tools or Roofing Materials

A tool, tile or piece of roofing material falls from height and damages a customer’s car or injures someone passing the site.

Accidental Property Damage

A roofer damages a window, gutter, satellite dish or part of the building while carrying out repairs or installation work.

Water Ingress

Temporary covering fails or part of a roof is left exposed, allowing rainwater to enter the property and damage ceilings, flooring, furniture or equipment.

Trips and Falls Around the Site

A customer, visitor or member of the public trips over materials, cables or equipment associated with the roofing work.

Damage to a Neighbouring Property

Debris or materials from the project damage an adjoining roof, garden, conservatory or parked vehicle.

These examples demonstrate why roofing public liability insurance should reflect the full scope of the work being undertaken rather than simply providing the cheapest available policy.

Is Public Liability Insurance a Legal Requirement for Roofers?

Public liability insurance is not normally required by law for roofers.

This differs from employers’ liability insurance, which is generally a legal requirement if your roofing business employs staff. Employment arrangements can also affect whether cover is required for people described as subcontractors, particularly where they work under the direction and control of your business.

Although public liability may not be legally compulsory, it can still be a contractual requirement.

A principal contractor, local authority, property management company or commercial client may specify that every roofing contractor working on a project must carry public liability insurance. Domestic customers may also ask for proof of cover before appointing a roofer.

Operating without it could therefore limit the projects your business is able to secure.

How Much Public Liability Cover Does a Roofer Need?

There is no single level of public liability insurance that is suitable for every roofing contractor.

Common indemnity limits include £1 million, £2 million, £5 million and £10 million. The appropriate amount will depend on the size of your business, the contracts you undertake and the requirements of your clients.

Factors to consider include:

  • Whether you work on domestic or commercial properties
  • The value and scale of your roofing contracts
  • The number of sites you operate across
  • Whether properties remain occupied during the work
  • The maximum height at which you work
  • Whether you work for principal contractors or public-sector clients
  • Any minimum cover required under your contracts
  • The potential severity of an injury or property damage claim

Larger commercial contracts may require substantially higher limits than smaller domestic roofing jobs. It is therefore important to check your tender documents and customer agreements before arranging cover.

Does Public Liability Insurance Cover Work at Height?

Roofing public liability insurance can cover claims arising from work completed at height, but policies may contain height restrictions.

An insurer will usually want to know the maximum height at which your business operates. The policy may only cover work up to the height declared when the insurance was arranged.

Roofers working on tall commercial buildings, industrial premises, tower blocks or other high structures should make this clear to their broker. Providing inaccurate information could leave the business without suitable protection when a claim occurs.

Insurers may also ask about:

  • Scaffolding and access equipment
  • Edge protection
  • Harnesses and fall-arrest systems
  • Risk assessments and method statements
  • Staff training and experience
  • The type of property being worked on

These details allow the insurer to assess the risk accurately and determine whether any specific conditions need to apply.

Does Public Liability Cover Employees and Subcontractors?

Public liability insurance is intended to cover claims from third parties. It does not replace employers’ liability insurance for injuries or illnesses suffered by employees in connection with their work.

Roofing businesses must also describe their subcontractor arrangements accurately.

Labour-only subcontractors may be treated similarly to employees for insurance purposes, particularly when the business controls their hours, methods, materials and working practices. Bona fide subcontractors who operate independently may be treated differently.

Your insurer may ask for details of:

  • Payments made to subcontractors
  • The type of work they complete
  • Who supplies tools and materials
  • Who controls how the work is carried out
  • Whether subcontractors hold their own insurance
  • Whether your business checks their insurance documents

Using the wrong subcontractor classification could create gaps in cover, so the arrangements should be discussed carefully with your broker.

What Other Insurance Might a Roofing Contractor Need?

Public liability is only one part of a suitable roofers insurance.

Depending on the business, additional cover may include:

Employers’ Liability Insurance

Employers liability insurance is generally required when a roofing business employs staff and designed to cover claims relating to employee injuries and work-related illness.

Contractors’ All Risks Insurance

All risks insurance can provide protection for contract works, materials, owned plant and hired-in equipment, depending on the cover selected.

Tools and Equipment Insurance

Designed to cover important tools and equipment against risks such as theft, loss and accidental damage, subject to policy conditions.

Fleet Insurance

Fleet insurance provides suitable motor insurance for vehicle fleets.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Professional indemnity insurance may be relevant where a roofing contractor provides design work, specifications, surveys or professional advice.

Commercial Legal Expenses Insurance

Commercial legal expenses insurance can help with certain legal costs and disputes covered by the policy.

The right combination will depend on your roofing activities, turnover, workforce, contracts and equipment.

Arrange Public Liability Insurance for Your Roofing Business

Although public liability insurance is not normally a legal requirement for roofers, it provides important protection against the everyday risks associated with roofing work.

It may also be required by principal contractors, commercial clients and tender providers before you are permitted to begin a project.

CHAS Insurance is an insurance broker specialising in cover for contractors and trades businesses. We can help arrange roofers insurance based on your activities, working heights, use of heat, employees, subcontractors and contract requirements.

Speak to our team to discuss public liability insurance for your roofing business and the other cover you may need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a self-employed roofer get public liability insurance?

Yes. Public liability insurance can be arranged for self-employed roofers and sole traders, as well as larger roofing businesses employing staff and subcontractors.

Can domestic and commercial roofing work be covered together?

Yes. A policy can often be arranged to cover both domestic and commercial roofing activities, provided the insurer is given accurate details of the properties, contract values and type of work involved.

Does roofers insurance cover multiple sites?

Cover can often be arranged for roofing contractors operating across multiple sites. The insurer may ask about the number of active projects, their values and the types of premises involved.