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Roofing contractor insurance made simple
Oct
https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/trade/benefits/roofing-contractor-insurance/
Roofing contractor insurance made simple
Roofing contractor insurance can be made up of a number of different covers. But what are they and how can you nail down the best rates? Read on to find out.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Why do you need roofer insurance?
- What are the insurance requirements for roofing contractors?
- Public liability insurance for roofers
- What other types of cover should roofers’ insurance include?
- How much does roofer insurance cost?
- Save money on your roofing contractor insurance as a Checkatrade member
Roofing contractor insurance should form a key part of your business. Without it, you leave your business vulnerable to the many risks you face during your day-to-day work.
In this post, we outline why you need roofer insurance, the types of cover available, and how to get the best rate to save your business money.
Why do you need roofer insurance?
Roofing is considered to be an incredibly hazardous job. According to the HSE, almost one in five deaths in construction work involve roof work.
Working at height, in all weathers, and using dangerous chemicals shrouds this profession in risk- risk that can be mitigated with the right insurance.
Roofer insurance can offer peace of mind for all aspects of your business:
- Have you considered how you would pay your bills if you suffered a work-related accident and were unable to work?
- Would you be able to cover the medical bills, legal fees, and compensation payments if your employee had a workplace accident?
- And how much would it cost from your own pocket to replace your tools and equipment if they were stolen?
These are just a few of the scenarios that help to outline why roofer insurance is so important.
What are the insurance requirements for roofing contractors?
A roofer insurance policy is made up of a number of different covers, which you can pick and choose to suit your business.
However, there is one type of cover that is a legal obligation.
Chances are, as a roofer, you employ at least one other person, which means that you must have employers’ liability insurance. It’s the law.
Public liability insurance for roofers
Next, there’s public liability insurance.
Public liability insurance will protect your business from the cost of a claim being made against you by a third party for loss, personal injury, or damages.
A third party is someone other than an employee. A member of the public or a customer, for example.
It’s not a legal requirement to have public liability insurance, however:
- It’s mandatory for all Checkatrade members
- It’s required by many trade associations
- If you want to take on work as a contractor, most reputable firms will ask for proof of your insurance documents
- Local authorities will generally ask for a minimum cover level of £5m before you can tender for work
Imagine you accidentally drop some tiles onto a customer’s car. Your public liability insurance will protect your business from the financial impact of a claim being made against you.
Without it, you’re still liable for the cost of the damage. The difference is, you’d have to pay it from your own pocket. This would be a potentially crippling scenario for many businesses.
What other types of cover should roofers’ insurance include?
Your business is made up of a variety of different parts, all of which can be included in your roofing contractors’ insurance policy.
Some of the covers that can be included are:
Tools and equipment cover
If your tools and equipment were lost, damaged, or stolen, your insurance would help to replace them quickly, minimising the disruption to your schedule.
Van insurance for your work vehicle
Because without a van that’s fit for purpose, getting to work and transporting your materials becomes fairly tricky.
Commercial property and contents insurance
Just as you would insure your home and the contents within it, you can add cover for your business premises and the contents, for example, the furniture and fixtures and fittings.
Business equipment insurance
It’s easy to take modern technology for granted, but if your mobile phone, computer, printer etc were damaged or stolen, insurance would help to get you back up and running as quickly as possible.
Business interruption insurance
This will help to cushion you financially if an unexpected event prevents you from trading.
Contract works insurance
If you were partway through replacing a roof and a storm damaged the roof, contract work insurance would help to cover the cost of your time, materials, and fittings to put things right again.
Personal accident insurance
If you or someone covered by your insurance is involved in an accident, this will help to cover the cost of lost income and medical bills.
Legal expenses insurance
This will help to safeguard your business if you’re faced with legal costs.
How much does roofer insurance cost?
Roofer insurance can vary in price, but this is because your quote will reflect the specific needs of your business.
The type of buildings you work on, the level of cover you need, how many employees you need to cover, and your level of excess can all affect the cost of your insurance.
One way to guarantee a competitive rate on the cost of your roofer insurance is to become a Checkatrade member.
Save money on your roofing contractor insurance as a Checkatrade member
As a Checkatrade member, you get more than a listing in the UK’s leading trade directory.
We’ve secured partnerships with some of the top names in the industry to get our members exclusive discounts, including 20% off insurance trade cover with Covéa Insurance.
- over is specifically designed for tradespeople, tailor-made to your needs, and arranged in a simple and straightforward way
- You also have the flexibility to add optional extra covers too, giving you complete peace of mind
https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/trade/benefits/roofing-contractor-insurance/
