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Roofer Insurance (UK): Public Liability, Tools Cover & Contract Works (CAR) – A Practical Construction Insurance Guide
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.
Why roofers need specialist construction insurance
Roofing claims tend to be high value because the consequences are high value. A small mistake can lead to:
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Water ingress and major property damage
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Injury to a homeowner, tenant, passer-by, or another contractor
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Damage to neighbouring property (especially on terraces and semi-detached homes)
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Disputes over workmanship, delays, and rework
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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.
The “core three” for roofer insurance
Most roofers should start with:
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Public Liability Insurance (third-party injury/property damage)
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Tools Insurance (tools and equipment, often including theft)
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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.
1) Public Liability Insurance for roofers
What it covers
Public Liability (PL) covers your legal liability if your business causes:
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Injury to a third party (member of the public, customer, visitor)
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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.
Roofer claim examples
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A tile slips from the roof and damages a car parked below.
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A member of the public trips over materials left near the access point.
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Dust/debris causes damage to a customer’s conservatory or solar panels.
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Water enters the property during works and damages ceilings, electrics, and flooring.
How much cover do roofers typically need?
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:
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Domestic work: usually £2m–£5m
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Commercial / local authority / main contractor work: often £5m–£10m
Key things insurers look at (and what affects price)
Public liability premiums for roofers are influenced by:
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Your trade split (flat roofing, pitched, leadwork, repairs vs full re-roofs)
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Height work (e.g., above 10 metres)
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Use of heat (torch-on felt, hot works)
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Claims history
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Turnover and number of workers
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Subcontractor use and labour-only arrangements
Common exclusions and pitfalls
Roofers should pay close attention to:
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Hot works conditions (e.g., fire watch requirements)
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Work at height restrictions
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Use of blowtorches or bitumen boilers
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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.
2) Tools Insurance for roofers
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.
What tools cover typically includes
Tools insurance can cover:
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Hand tools and power tools
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Specialist roofing equipment
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Ladders and access equipment (sometimes optional)
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Theft, accidental damage, and fire (depending on policy)
Some policies insure tools:
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At your premises
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In your vehicle/van (often with strict security requirements)
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On site (sometimes only if locked in a secure container)
Roofer claim examples
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Van break-in overnight and tools stolen.
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Tools stolen from a site container.
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Accidental damage to a nail gun or grinder.
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Fire at your workshop damaging stored equipment.
Security conditions you must follow
Tools claims often fail because security conditions weren’t met. Typical requirements include:
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Tools left in a van must be out of sight and the van must be locked
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Forced entry evidence may be required
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Overnight cover may require an alarm/immobiliser or secure parking
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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.
Setting the right sum insured
Underinsuring tools is common. Make a list of:
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Each tool and replacement cost (new-for-old where possible)
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Serial numbers, receipts, and photos
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Batteries/chargers and accessories
If you claim and your sum insured is too low, insurers may apply average (reducing the payout proportionally).
3) Contract Works / Contractors’ All Risks (CAR) for roofers
What is Contract Works / CAR?
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:
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Fire
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Flood
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Storm
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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.
Roofer claim examples
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A storm damages newly installed felt or membrane before completion.
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Materials are stolen from the scaffold overnight.
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Fire damage occurs during hot works.
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Vandalism damages the roof covering before handover.
What CAR may cover (and what it may not)
CAR can include:
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Contract works (the job itself)
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Materials on site
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Sometimes materials in transit (optional)
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Sometimes temporary works (e.g., temporary protection)
But it may exclude or limit:
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Unattended materials unless secured
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Theft without forcible entry
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Damage due to poor workmanship/design
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Gradual deterioration or wear and tear
Choosing the right contract value limit
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.
Other covers roofers often need
Employers’ Liability (often legally required)
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.
Personal Accident / Income Protection
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.
Hired-in Plant and Owned Plant
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.
Professional Indemnity (for design/specification advice)
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.
Van insurance and goods in transit
Roofers often need commercial vehicle cover, and sometimes Goods in Transit for materials and tools being transported.
Common contract requirements (what clients may ask for)
When you quote for work, clients and main contractors may request:
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Public Liability certificate (often £5m or £10m)
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Employers’ Liability certificate
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Contract Works / CAR evidence
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Confirmation of height work and hot works acceptance
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Risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)
Having the right insurance in place can be the difference between winning and losing a job.
How to reduce claims risk (and keep premiums sensible)
Insurers like roofers who can demonstrate strong risk management. Practical steps include:
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Hot works permit process and documented fire watch
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Secure storage: site containers, lock boxes, tracking
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Vehicle security: alarms, immobilisers, secure parking
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Clear signage and barriers around access points
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Weather planning: temporary coverings and stop-work triggers
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Training records (working at height, PPE, manual handling)
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Subcontractor checks: competence and insurance
These steps don’t just reduce premiums—they reduce downtime and protect your reputation.
Quick checklist: what to tell your broker/insurer
To get accurate cover, be ready to share:
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Trade details (flat/pitched, repairs vs new installs)
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Use of heat/torch-on and hot works controls
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Typical and maximum contract values
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Work at height and access methods (scaffold, MEWP)
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Number of employees and subcontractors
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Tool storage arrangements (van, premises, site)
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Claims history (even if settled)
The more precise you are, the less chance of gaps at claim time.
Final thoughts
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:
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Public Liability to protect against third-party claims
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Tools cover to keep you working after theft or damage
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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:
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Domestic vs commercial split
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Whether you do torch-on/hot works
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Your typical and maximum job value
…and I’ll tailor the policy structure and the “recommended limits” section to match your exact roofing business.