Roofing is one of the higher-risk trades out there, and if you've had trouble finding affordable, straightforward coverage, you're not imagining it. Insurers price roofing differently than most other contracting work because the risk profile is genuinely different. Falls, storm chasing seasons, steep-slope work, and liability that follows the job long after it's done all factor in. We work with roofers across Indiana and surrounding states, and we want to walk through the questions we get asked most, in plain language.
We'll be straight with you: roofing carries a higher risk classification than most trades because falls are one of the leading causes of serious workplace injury in construction, and roof damage claims (both during and after a job) tend to be higher-value than average. That said, "more expensive" doesn't mean "impossible to manage." The contractors we see get the best rates are the ones with strong safety programs, documented training, and a track record of claims-free years. It's worth having a real conversation about what's actually driving your premium before assuming there's nothing to be done about it.
This is the single biggest risk in your business, and it's why workers' compensation insurance matters more for roofing than almost any other trade. If you have employees, workers' comp is generally required, and it covers medical costs and lost wages if someone gets hurt on the job, while also protecting your business from a lawsuit tied to that injury. Given how physically demanding and elevated roofing work is, this isn't a place to shop for the cheapest possible option and hope for the best.
That's what general liability insurance is for. If your crew accidentally damages siding, gutters, landscaping, or the interior of a home during a job, or a customer is injured because of your work, general liability helps cover the resulting costs. Most general contractors and property managers will require proof of this before they'll let you bid a job at all.
Yes, and this is exactly what completed operations coverage (part of your general liability policy) addresses. Roofing problems often don't show up right away; a leak might not appear until the first hard rain months later. This coverage protects you from claims tied to work you've already finished and been paid for. It's one of the most important pieces of coverage for roofers specifically, because the nature of the work means problems can surface long after the crew has moved on.
Builder's risk insurance covers a structure while work is actively underway, including exposed roofing mid-project, against wind, fire, and other covered events. If a storm rolls through while a roof is torn off and not yet replaced, this is the coverage that matters. Given how weather-dependent roofing timelines are, this is worth having in place before, not after, a project starts.
Most general liability or property policies don't automatically cover tools and equipment out in the field. Inland marine coverage (tools and equipment coverage) protects your equipment while it's in transit or sitting on a job site, not just locked up at your shop. Roofing crews move a lot of equipment between sites, often to multiple locations in a single week, which makes this coverage more relevant than for a lot of other trades.
If you're using subs to keep up with demand, especially common in roofing during storm season, you can still be held liable for their work in the eyes of a client or a court. We tell every roofing contractor the same thing: get a certificate of insurance from every subcontractor before they set foot on a roof, every time, no exceptions. It's a simple habit that closes a real gap.
Commercial auto insurance covers your trucks, trailers, and any vehicles used for the business, including liability if you cause an accident and physical damage to your own vehicles. If you're hauling shingles, equipment, or dumpsters between sites regularly, it's worth confirming your policy accounts for trailers and their contents specifically, since that's a commonly missed gap.
Roofing carries real risk, and pretending otherwise doesn't help anyone, but the right coverage, built around your actual crew size, safety practices, and project mix, makes a real difference in both protection and cost. Storm-chasing operations, steep-slope specialists, and standard residential reroofing crews all carry different exposure, and your policy should reflect that.
We'd rather sit down and understand exactly how your crew operates than hand you a generic policy and hope it fits.
If you run a roofing business anywhere in Indiana and surrounding states, we're happy to review your current coverage or help build a policy that actually reflects your risk. No pressure, just a straightforward conversation about protecting your crew and your business.
This blog post is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, legal, or financial advice. Coverage availability, terms, and requirements vary by policy, insurer, and state law. Please contact Shurr Insurance Agency directly to discuss your specific business needs and to review actual policy terms and conditions before making any insurance decisions.