Your guide to public liability insurance for roofers

In the construction industry, roofing is a particularly high-risk trade, where working at heights and dealing with unpredictable weather can lead to accidents. That’s why public liability insurance is a crucial safeguard for both self-employed roofers and larger roofing companies alike. It provides essential protection against claims from third parties for injuries or property damage caused by business activities.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about public liability insurance for roofers, including what it covers, why it’s essential, and how to find the right insurance policy for your business. Let’s get started!

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Why do roofers need public liability insurance?

Public liability insurance is particularly vital for tradespeople, as they face higher risks associated with injuries or damages caused during their work. While public liability cover isn't a legal requirement for businesses in the UK, it is highly recommended for all roofers and roofing businesses, given their frequent interaction with clients and the public, whether on their premises or elsewhere.

It's also worth noting that it's an industry standard for clients to require public liability cover from contractors before commencing work. So, while it may not be required legally, it's usually required contractually.

As such, Let's take a look at some scenarios for roofers where having public liability in place is essential:

• Accidental property damage - During extensive roofing work to repair an old roof, a worker accidentally drops a tile, which then rolls down the roof and breaks several expensive solar panels installed lower down. Public liability insurance would cover the repair or rebuilding costs for any property damage caused.

• A client trips over equipment - a roofer leaves tools, materials, or an extension lead on the ground, and the client or a visitor to the property trips over them, falling and breaking an arm. Public liability insurance would cover medical costs and potential compensation.

Find out more here: Is public liability insurance compulsory?

What does roofers public liability insurance cover?

Public liability cover protects your roofing business by covering legal fees and compensation costs if a claim is made against your business involving injury or death caused by your business activities, as well as damage to third-party property. This includes:

• Accidental bodily injury 

• Accidental death 

• Accidental damage to property 

• Total loss of property 

What does public liability insurance for roofers not cover?

Public liability insurance won't cover every type of claim. Below are five common exclusions:

1. Employee injuries

If an employee becomes ill or sustains an injury while working for your roofing business, public liability insurance does not cover compensation claims or legal fees.

You'll need employers liability insurance for this, which is a legal requirement in the UK if you employ staff, whether you're self-employed, a sole trader or own a limited company.

2. Your own property and equipment

Public liability insurance won't cover damage to your own building, equipment, or contents, even if the damage is caused by your business activities. Instead, you'll need to look into tools and equipment cover.

3. Personal injury

If you become injured from your own business activities, you won't be covered under your public liability policy. Instead, you'll need separate personal accident insurance to cover this risk.

4. Professional negligence

Public liability insurance does not cover legal claims arising from errors in your professional advice, services, or faulty workmanship that result in financial loss for a client.

5. Criminal acts

Public liability insurance won't cover any damage or injuries that occur while you're breaking UK laws or committing a crime.

What insurance do I need as a roofer?

Without a doubt, the first business insurance policy roofers should secure is public liability insurance, to protect their business from the various claims that can arise. Roofers might also want to consider several other key types of insurance to protect their business in the worst-case scenario.

Many insurance providers offer tailored roofers insurance policies. These typically combine a range of individual cover types (almost always including public liability), into one policy specifically designed for roofing businesses.

Roofers' insurance policies may include some or all of these cover options - if they aren't included, you can add them on as extras. Always check with your insurer first to see what's included.

Employers' liability insurance

Employers liability insurance is another essential for roofing businesses - protecting you financially should an employee make a claim against you for an incident that causes personal injury or property damage.

This type of insurance is legally required in the UK if you employ staff.

Professional indemnity insurance

If, as part of your service, you offer business advice to a client, professional indemnity insurance covers compensation costs if your advice leads to financial loss or reputational damage for a client.

Tools and equipment cover

Tools and equipment insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing your trade tools and key equipment if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.

Legal expenses cover

Legal expenses insurance covers legal costs like solicitor fees and court expenses for business-related legal action taken against you.

Personal accident cover

Personal accident insurance is a must-have for roofers, given the high chance of accidents. It protects you financially until you recover from any injury or illness that leaves you unable to work.

Contract works insurance

Also known as contractors' all risk insurance (CAR), this type of cover is essentially a ‘given’ in the industry, designed to protect roofers and other tradesmen against loss or damage to ongoing construction works, materials, plant, and equipment on a construction site.

It essentially provides 'all-risks' coverage for the project itself, subject to specific exclusions.

Hired-in plant insurance

Hired-in plant insurance provides cover for theft, damage or loss of hired plant machinery, such as drilling units or excavators.

Business van insurance

At the heart of any trading business is its van or business vehicle. You can protect yours with a business van insurance policy.

Commercial property insurance

Also known as business buildings insurance, it covers the cost of repairing or rebuilding your roofing business premises if they are damaged or destroyed by events like fire, flood, or storms. It typically covers the physical structure of the building and its permanent fixtures.

Business interruption insurance

Business interruption insurance covers lost income and additional expenses (like temporary relocation costs) if your business is affected by an insured event such as a fire and cannot operate.

If you’re still not sure what insurance you need, read our guide: Do I need business insurance?

How much does public liability insurance cost for roofers?

There's no 'one size fits all' cost for roofers public liability insurance, and it depends on the insurance provider. However, generally, insurance premiums are calculated based on the following factors:

• The types and level of cover you choose

• The risks you face

• The building types you’re working on

• The amount of excess you’re willing to purchase

• Whether you’ll pay in upfront or in monthly instalments

• Your claims history

Ultimately, the best way to find out exactly how much your premiums will cost is to get a public liability insurance quote - which you can do with us at Howden today!

You'll also have the option to pay for your insurance policy via direct debit, if that's your preference.

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