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Who needs Roofer insurance?

Working at height means you face unique risks every day so it’s vital to have insurance that you can rely on just in case something goes wrong. But with so many options on offer, what should your policy look like? Here’s what to consider.

What is roofing insurance?

It’s a type of tradesman insurance that cover the risks you face at work. Policies combine several different types of insurance so that you’re covered for a range of incidents known as insured events – for example:

• Theft of tools
• Damage caused by a fire, flood or vandalism
• Claims for compensation made by the public

What is public liability insurance for self-employed roofer?

Almost all business insurance policies will include public liability – it covers legal fees and compensation if a member of the public sues you because they blame you for injury or damage to their property. For example, if someone ends up in hospital because tiles you were laying fell and hit them.

Levels of public liability insurance vary depending on the insurer, most will offer a minimum of £1 million up to £5 million, but some will cover you for as much as £10 million. If you’re not sure what level of public liability insurance you need, the general rule of thumb is that the more risk you face, the higher the level should be but that’s something your insurer will be able to help you with.

It’s worth knowing that if you’re planning on bidding to work with local authorities, you’ll usually be expected to have at least £5 million of public liability cover. It’s also crucial not to underestimate the importance of public liability cover – after all, no matter how experienced you are, accidents can happen.

What other features should roofer insurance include?

As well as public liability, insurers will offer a range of other features that you can add to your policy to give your business all-round protection. Typical additions include:

• Employers’ liability insurance – this pays compensation claims if an employee is injured or becomes ill because of work.
• Tools and equipment insurance – covers the cost of replacing damaged or stolen tools and equipment.
• Legal expenses – pays legal and court costs if you need to settle a dispute.

Do I need roofing liability insurance by law?

If you have any employees, then you must have a minimum of £5 million worth of employers’ liability insurance by law. There are a few exceptions – for example if you only employ close family members but full guidance can be found at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you don’t have employers’ liability you could be find £2,500 for each day you’re uninsured so it’s vital to check the HSE advice.

On the other hand, public liability insurance is not something you need by law, although it is highly recommended that businesses have it. If you didn’t have cover in place and someone made a claim against you for injury or damage, you’d have to cover legal fees and compensation yourself – needless to say this could spiral into the thousands of pounds.

How much does roofer insurance cost?

Cost varies considerably depending on the features you choose and the levels of cover you opt for. Your premium can also be influenced by your circumstances – for example the size of your business, your previous claims history and also the nature of your work. Knowing the facts means your insurer will be able to tailor your plan to ensure you get the protection you need so it’s essential to be as honest as you can.

When you look for policies, it’s just as important to check what exclusions there are as well as what features are included. You could find that cheaper policies come with numerous exclusions or particularly high excesses (the part you need to pay for a claim to proceed). Both of these can make cheap policies a false economy in the long run compared to more expensive but comprehensive packages.

Search for roofing contractors insurance

At Quotezone.co.uk, we understand just how important it is to get the roofers insurance you need at a price you can afford which is why we work with a panel of trusted UK insurers.

So far, we’ve helped over three million happy customers find peace of mind with business insurance they can trust. To start your quote, simply tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll take care of the rest.