INSURANCE GUIDE
Roofer Insurance UK
Public liability, employers liability and specialist working-at-height cover for UK roofing contractors.
TL;DR
- Standard tradesman policies frequently exclude or sub-limit working at height - roofers need explicit cover.
- Working at height above 10m is excluded from many generic public liability policies.
- Employers liability is legally required for any roofing firm with employees or labour.
- Tools and plant cover for roofing equipment - nail guns, scaffold, slate cutters - needs its own policy.
Why Roofers Need Specialist Insurance
Roofing work is classified as high risk for insurance purposes. Working at height on pitched and flat roofs creates significant potential for falls, falling objects, and damage to the property and neighbouring structures. Standard tradesman public liability policies frequently include exclusions for working above 3m or 10m, or for specific roofing activities such as felt laying, tile work, or lead flashing. Roofers need a specialist policy that explicitly covers all aspects of roofing work at all heights encountered in their trade.
Working at Height Cover
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 impose duties on all employers and self-employed workers to prevent falls and manage working-at-height risk. Insurance follows conduct - if a claim arises from a roofing incident and the investigation shows that Work at Height Regulations were not followed, the insurer may contest the claim. Maintaining compliance with HSE working-at-height requirements, including risk assessments and appropriate fall arrest equipment, is both a legal obligation and an insurance condition.
Scaffold and Hired Equipment
Scaffold - whether erected by the roofing contractor or hired from a scaffolding firm - creates additional liability. If scaffold you erected collapses and injures someone, public liability responds. If hired scaffold is damaged during your use, hired plant insurance is needed. Roofing contractors who erect their own scaffold need to confirm that scaffold erection and inspection is within their public liability policy scope.
Employers Liability for Roofing Firms
Roofing firms with any employees face a legally required minimum of £5m employers liability cover. Roofing is classified as one of the higher-risk construction trades for EL purposes. Premiums reflect the elevated injury frequency compared to ground-based trades. Labour-only subcontractors who work under your direction may also require EL cover - confirm the employment status position with your insurer.
Related Guides
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. Kaeltripton.com is not regulated by the FCA. Always read policy documents in full before purchasing cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my public liability cover roof repairs as well as new build roofing?
Most specialist roofer policies cover both repair and new build roofing work. Repair work on existing structures can carry different risk characteristics from new build - working on potentially fragile existing materials, proximity to occupied buildings, and unknown structural conditions. Confirm that both repair and new build activities are within the policy scope when arranging cover.
Does roofer insurance cover asbestos removal?
Asbestos removal is a licensed activity regulated by the HSE and is typically excluded from standard roofing public liability policies. Licensed asbestos removal requires a specialist contractor licence and specific licensed contractor insurance. If your roofing work encounters suspected asbestos, the legally required approach is to stop work and engage a licensed contractor - not to remove it under a standard roofing policy.
