Roofing is one of the highest-risk trades in UK construction. You’re working at height, dealing with weather, handling expensive materials, and often operating on live sites with other contractors nearby. One slip, one loose tile, or one unexpected storm can turn into a claim that wipes out months (or years) of profit.
This guide breaks down roofer insurance in plain English, with a focus on three core covers most roofers need: Public Liability, Tools insurance, and Contract Works / Contractors’ All Risks (CAR). We’ll also cover common add-ons, typical exclusions, and how to set your cover correctly.
Roofing claims tend to be high value because the consequences are high value. A small mistake can lead to:
Water ingress and major property damage
Injury to a homeowner, tenant, passer-by, or another contractor
Damage to neighbouring property (especially on terraces and semi-detached homes)
Disputes over workmanship, delays, and rework
Theft of tools and materials from vans, scaffolds, or sites
Even if you do everything right, you still face risks outside your control: sudden weather changes, vandalism, theft, and third-party actions. The right insurance package helps you win work, meet contract requirements, and protect cashflow when something goes wrong.
Most roofers should start with:
Public Liability Insurance (third-party injury/property damage)
Tools Insurance (tools and equipment, often including theft)
Contract Works / CAR Insurance (the works, materials, and sometimes plant)
Depending on how you operate, you may also need Employers’ Liability, Personal Accident, Hired-in Plant, Professional Indemnity, and cover for your van.
Public Liability (PL) covers your legal liability if your business causes:
Injury to a third party (member of the public, customer, visitor)
Damage to third-party property (customer’s home, neighbouring property, vehicles)
For roofers, PL is often the first policy clients ask about because it’s the most visible proof you’re prepared and professional.
A tile slips from the roof and damages a car parked below.
A member of the public trips over materials left near the access point.
Dust/debris causes damage to a customer’s conservatory or solar panels.
Water enters the property during works and damages ceilings, electrics, and flooring.
Common limits are £1 million, £2 million, £5 million, or £10 million. Many domestic jobs may be fine with £2m–£5m, but commercial contracts often require £5m or £10m.
A practical approach:
Domestic work: usually £2m–£5m
Commercial / local authority / main contractor work: often £5m–£10m
Public liability premiums for roofers are influenced by:
Your trade split (flat roofing, pitched, leadwork, repairs vs full re-roofs)
Height work (e.g., above 10 metres)
Use of heat (torch-on felt, hot works)
Claims history
Turnover and number of workers
Subcontractor use and labour-only arrangements
Roofers should pay close attention to:
Hot works conditions (e.g., fire watch requirements)
Work at height restrictions
Use of blowtorches or bitumen boilers
Defective workmanship vs resulting damage
Many policies won’t cover the cost of redoing poor workmanship itself, but may cover resulting damage (e.g., water damage caused by an error). The wording matters.
Tools are your livelihood. If your nail gun, drills, grinders, or ladders are stolen, you can’t work. That means lost income, missed deadlines, and unhappy customers.
Tools insurance can cover:
Hand tools and power tools
Specialist roofing equipment
Ladders and access equipment (sometimes optional)
Theft, accidental damage, and fire (depending on policy)
Some policies insure tools:
At your premises
In your vehicle/van (often with strict security requirements)
On site (sometimes only if locked in a secure container)
Van break-in overnight and tools stolen.
Tools stolen from a site container.
Accidental damage to a nail gun or grinder.
Fire at your workshop damaging stored equipment.
Tools claims often fail because security conditions weren’t met. Typical requirements include:
Tools left in a van must be out of sight and the van must be locked
Forced entry evidence may be required
Overnight cover may require an alarm/immobiliser or secure parking
On-site tools may need to be locked in a fixed container or secure building
If you regularly leave tools in the van, make sure your policy specifically covers it and that you can meet the security conditions.
Underinsuring tools is common. Make a list of:
Each tool and replacement cost (new-for-old where possible)
Serial numbers, receipts, and photos
Batteries/chargers and accessories
If you claim and your sum insured is too low, insurers may apply average (reducing the payout proportionally).
Contract Works (often part of a Contractors’ All Risks (CAR) policy) covers the work in progress and materials on site if they’re damaged by events like:
Fire
Flood
Storm
Theft and vandalism nIt’s designed to protect the value of the project while you’re responsible for it.
For roofers, CAR is especially important because roofing jobs are exposed to weather and often involve leaving a property temporarily vulnerable.
A storm damages newly installed felt or membrane before completion.
Materials are stolen from the scaffold overnight.
Fire damage occurs during hot works.
Vandalism damages the roof covering before handover.
CAR can include:
Contract works (the job itself)
Materials on site
Sometimes materials in transit (optional)
Sometimes temporary works (e.g., temporary protection)
But it may exclude or limit:
Unattended materials unless secured
Theft without forcible entry
Damage due to poor workmanship/design
Gradual deterioration or wear and tear
You’ll usually set a maximum contract value (the largest single job you take on). If you take on a £150,000 re-roof but your policy is set to £50,000, you may not be properly covered.
A good rule: set your maximum contract value to your realistic largest job in the next 12 months, not just what you did last year.
If you employ anyone (including many labour-only subcontractors), you typically need Employers’ Liability (EL). In the UK, it’s commonly required at £5 million minimum by law, and many policies provide £10 million.
It covers injury or illness claims from employees arising out of their work.
If you’re self-employed and you can’t work due to injury, your income can stop overnight. Personal Accident cover can provide a weekly benefit or lump sum for serious injuries.
If you hire equipment (e.g., access towers, mechanical hoists), you may be responsible for loss or damage under the hire agreement. Hired-in Plant cover can protect you.
If you provide advice on roof design, materials, or specification (especially on commercial projects), Professional Indemnity may be relevant. It covers claims arising from professional negligence.
Roofers often need commercial vehicle cover, and sometimes Goods in Transit for materials and tools being transported.
When you quote for work, clients and main contractors may request:
Public Liability certificate (often £5m or £10m)
Employers’ Liability certificate
Contract Works / CAR evidence
Confirmation of height work and hot works acceptance
Risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)
Having the right insurance in place can be the difference between winning and losing a job.
Insurers like roofers who can demonstrate strong risk management. Practical steps include:
Hot works permit process and documented fire watch
Secure storage: site containers, lock boxes, tracking
Vehicle security: alarms, immobilisers, secure parking
Clear signage and barriers around access points
Weather planning: temporary coverings and stop-work triggers
Training records (working at height, PPE, manual handling)
Subcontractor checks: competence and insurance
These steps don’t just reduce premiums—they reduce downtime and protect your reputation.
To get accurate cover, be ready to share:
Trade details (flat/pitched, repairs vs new installs)
Use of heat/torch-on and hot works controls
Typical and maximum contract values
Work at height and access methods (scaffold, MEWP)
Number of employees and subcontractors
Tool storage arrangements (van, premises, site)
Claims history (even if settled)
The more precise you are, the less chance of gaps at claim time.
Roofer insurance isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It’s a practical safety net for a trade where one incident can create a five-figure claim fast.
If you want a clean, sensible starting point, focus on:
Public Liability to protect against third-party claims
Tools cover to keep you working after theft or damage
Contract Works / CAR to protect the job, materials, and your cashflow
From there, add Employers’ Liability (if needed), Personal Accident, Plant cover, and vehicle cover based on how your business operates.
If you want, tell me:
Domestic vs commercial split
Whether you do torch-on/hot works
Your typical and maximum job value
…and I’ll tailor the policy structure and the “recommended limits” section to match your exact roofing business.
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