By Chris Painter, Director of Commercial Lines, Advanced Insurance Solutions · Updated October 22, 2026
Quick answer: Most roofing contractors need general liability, workers' compensation (once they have employees), commercial auto, tools and equipment coverage, and often a commercial umbrella. Insurers treat roofing as a high-hazard trade, so pricing depends heavily on residential vs. commercial work, hot work like torch-down, use of subcontractors, your safety program and your claims history. In Pennsylvania, contractors doing residential home improvement generally must register with the Attorney General and show at least $50,000 in personal injury and $50,000 in property damage liability coverage.
If you run a roofing company, you already know the frustrating part: you call for a quote, and half the insurance companies won't even talk to you. The ones that will often come back with a price that makes you wonder if they misread your payroll.
There's a reason for that. Carriers treat roofing as a high-hazard trade. Falls from height, ladders, torches, tear-offs and storm work all add up to more claims and bigger claims than most trades. But "high hazard" doesn't mean "uninsurable." It means you need an agency that knows which carriers actually want roofing business and how to present your company so you look like the safe bet you are.
For 26 years, our Hershey and York offices have been placing contractors across Dauphin, Lebanon, Cumberland, Lancaster, York and Adams Counties, plus Harford, Baltimore and Carroll Counties in northern Maryland, as well as the rest of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Here's what we've learned about how roofing insurance really works.
What insurance does a roofing contractor need?
General liability. This pays for damage or injuries you cause to other people or their property. Think of a shingle bundle sliding off a roof onto a client's car, or a leak after a storm because a tarp wasn't secured. For a roofer, this is the policy every homeowner, GC and property manager will ask to see.
Workers' compensation. This pays medical bills and lost wages if an employee gets hurt on the job. In Pennsylvania, employers are generally required to carry workers' comp as soon as they have employees, and roofing comp is some of the most expensive in the market because of fall exposure. Getting your classification codes right matters a lot here (more on that below).
Commercial auto. Your trucks and trailers are hauling ladders, material and debris every day. A personal auto policy usually won't respond to a vehicle used this way, so a commercial auto policy is typically needed.
Inland marine / tools and equipment. Covers your ladders, nail guns, compressors and other gear, whether it's on the job, in the truck, or in the shop.
Commercial umbrella / excess liability. Extra liability limits that sit on top of your GL, auto and employer's liability. Many commercial and multifamily jobs require higher limits than a base policy offers, and an umbrella is often the most cost-effective way to get there.
Why is roofing insurance so expensive, and what do carriers look at?
We see the same five factors drive almost every roofing quote:
- Residential vs. commercial work, and steep vs. flat roofs. Steep-slope residential work is rated differently than low-slope commercial work. The mix of your jobs changes the risk picture.
- Hot work. Torch-down and hot tar raise fire risk. Some carriers exclude it entirely, some charge more, and some are fine with it if you have written fire-watch procedures.
- Subcontractors. If you use subs, carriers want to see that you collect certificates of insurance from every one of them. Uninsured subs can end up on your policy at audit, which can lead to a surprise bill months later.
- Safety program. Written fall-protection plans, training records and OSHA compliance show a carrier you manage the risk instead of just hoping for the best.
- Loss history. Three to five years of claims history (called "loss runs") are usually the first thing an underwriter reads.
What insurance does Pennsylvania require for roofers to register?
If you do residential work in Pennsylvania, the state's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act generally requires contractors to register with the Attorney General's office. To register, the AG's office asks for proof of at least $50,000 in personal injury liability and $50,000 in property damage coverage. Registration is renewed every two years.
That $50,000 is a floor, not a recommendation. One bad fall or one water-damage claim on a finished basement can blow past it quickly, and most general contractors and commercial clients will require much higher limits before you step on their job. Maryland and Virginia have their own licensing rules, so if you cross state lines, talk with us about what each state and each client requires.
What mistakes cost roofers the most money on insurance?
- Wrong class codes on workers' comp. If clerical staff or estimators are lumped in with roofing payroll, you could be paying roofing rates on people who never climb a ladder.
- Not tracking sub certificates. This is the number-one cause of painful audit bills we see.
- Buying on price alone. Some low-cost roofing policies carry exclusions for height limits, hot work, or certain types of buildings. A policy is only cheap if it actually responds when you need it.
- Waiting until renewal week. High-hazard accounts take time to market. Starting 60 to 90 days ahead usually gives us more options.
Why an independent agency matters for high-hazard trades
We represent more than 20 insurance carriers, and not all of them want roofing. Part of our job is knowing which ones do, how they view your type of work, and how to package your safety program, experience and loss history so underwriters see the full picture. That's something a single-company agent or an online form usually can't do.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need workers' comp if I'm a one-person roofing company?
It depends on your business structure and state rules. Many owners can exclude themselves, but once you hire employees, workers' comp is generally required in Pennsylvania. Many general contractors also require proof of coverage, or an exemption, before you start a job.
What is a workers' comp audit and why did I get a bill?
At the end of the policy year, the insurance company reviews your actual payroll and any subcontractors you paid. If payroll was higher than estimated, or if you paid subcontractors who didn't have their own insurance, you may owe additional premium.
How much general liability do roofers usually carry?
Many roofing contractors carry $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, but the right limit depends on the work you do and what your clients and contracts require. Commercial and multifamily jobs often require an umbrella on top.
Will insurance cover torch-down or hot tar work?
Some policies exclude hot work, some charge more for it, and some cover it when you follow written fire-safety procedures. Always tell your agent if you do any hot work so it's properly disclosed.
Do you insure roofers outside the Hershey and York area?
Yes. Most of our roofing clients work in Dauphin, Lebanon, Cumberland, Lancaster, York and Adams Counties, plus Harford, Baltimore and Carroll Counties in northern Maryland, but we write contractors throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, and in parts of New Jersey.
When should I start shopping my roofing insurance renewal?
Start 60 to 90 days before your renewal date. High-hazard accounts take longer to market, and starting early usually means more options.
Let's look at your roofing program
Whether you're a two-person crew in Hummelstown or an established company running trucks out of York, we can review what you have now, spot gaps or misclassifications, and shop your coverage across carriers that actually write roofers. Give us a call at 717-533-0252 (Hershey) or 717-845-1500 (York) or request a business insurance quote and you'll talk with a real person who knows this trade. You're also welcome to stop by our Hershey office on West Chocolate Avenue or our York office on South Queen Street.
Sources: PA Attorney General: Home Improvement Contractor FAQ · PA Attorney General: What is the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act?
Coverage, eligibility and pricing vary by carrier, policy and state. This article is general information, not a coverage guarantee. Talk with a licensed agent about your specific business.