Insurance for Washington roofing contractors. Built for work up top.
Roofing is one of the hardest trades to insure, and many carriers won't write it at all. We work with carriers that do, match coverage to the roofing work you actually do, and help you meet L&I registration and your clients' contract requirements.
- Carriers that write roofing contractors
- General liability, auto, tools and bonds together
- Certificates and additional insureds for your contracts
What roofing contractor insurance covers, in plain English
Coverage, limits and exclusions vary by carrier and policy. Your policy documents are what decide a claim, and we walk you through them before you buy.
Not every carrier writes roofers
Falls, fire from torch work and water getting into a home while the roof is open make roofing a high-risk class. Some carriers decline roofers, and others limit roof height, stories or hot work. We match you with carriers that fit the work you do.
Registering as a roofing contractor
To register with L&I you need general liability of at least $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or a $250,000 combined single limit, plus a contractor bond: $15,000 for specialty contractors or $30,000 for general contractors. Many general contractors require $1 million or more.
General liability
Injury to other people and damage to their property caused by your work, such as a shingle bundle falling on a car. Your own faulty work is usually not covered; damage it causes to other property may be, depending on the policy.
Rain and an open roof
Water getting in while a roof is torn off is one of the most common roofing claims in our climate. Some roofing policies limit or exclude it, so we check this wording before you buy.
Completed operations
A leak that damages a home's interior after you finish can be a completed operations claim. It may pay for the resulting damage, but usually not to redo the roof itself.
Workers' comp through L&I
In Washington, workers' comp comes from L&I, not private insurers, and roofing pays some of the highest rates. General liability doesn't cover your own workers' injuries.
Commercial auto and equipment
Crew trucks, trailers and dump trailers need commercial auto. Ladders, nail guns, compressors and hoists need tools and equipment coverage, which general liability doesn't include.
Certificates from your subs
Carriers often require certificates of insurance from any roofers you subcontract to. Uninsured subs can be added to your premium at audit.
Is this you?
- Residential re-roof and repair crews
- Commercial and multi-family roofers
- Gutter, skylight and sheet-metal contractors
- Owner-operators registering with L&I
- Roofers who need certificates for general contractors
Why Rhino
- Carriers that write roofing contractors
- General liability, auto, tools and bonds together
- Certificates and additional insureds for your contracts
- Help in English, Russian and Ukrainian
Have this ready
- UBI and L&I registration number, if you have one
- Type of roofing work (residential, commercial, repairs, torch-down)
- Annual revenue, payroll and subcontractor costs
- Claims in the last 5 years and any contract requirements
Three steps, one agent
- 1
Tell us what you need
Use the form, call or text. It takes a couple of minutes.
- 2
We shop several carriers
You see real prices side by side, not one company's offer.
- 3
You're covered
Pick a plan and we handle the paperwork, ID cards and certificates.
Roofing contractor questions
Why is roofing insurance harder to get than other trades?
Height, fire risk from torch work and water damage claims make roofing high-risk. Some carriers decline it, and the ones that write it often limit stories or hot work. Telling us exactly what you do helps us find the right fit.
What insurance do I need to register as a roofer in Washington?
General liability of at least $200,000 / $50,000 or a $250,000 combined single limit, plus a contractor bond, usually $15,000 for a specialty contractor. See our bond page.
Does general liability cover a leak after I finish a roof?
It may cover the damage the leak causes inside the home, under completed operations. It usually won't pay to redo your own work. The details depend on the policy wording.
Is water damage covered while the roof is open?
It depends on the policy. Some roofing policies cover it, and others limit or exclude it. We check this before you buy, because it matters in Western Washington.
Do I need workers' comp as a roofer?
If you have employees, yes, through L&I. Sole owners without employees can usually opt in. General liability never covers your own workers.
How much does roofing insurance cost?
It depends on your revenue or payroll, the type of roofing, roof height, torch work and your claims history. We compare carriers that write roofers so you can see real prices. See general liability.
Ready when you are.
Talk to a licensed agent at (800) 700-9181, Mon–Fri 9am–6pm PT.