Roofing Contractors

Common Insurance Terms

Description of operations: Roofing contractors install, repair, and re-roof residential and commercial structures. Installation of siding, gutters, or insulating material, or minor incidental repair of chimneys may be a part of the operation. Roofs may be flat or pitched, with the roof covering made of asphalt shingles, clay tiles, gravel, metal, slate or stone, sod, solar panels, thatch, or wood shingles. Typically, a roof consists of a decking, often made of wood or metal, on top of which the covering is installed. Flat roofs may be “built up” from several layers of asphalt-laminated felt covered by asphalt and gravel. Hot tar or other adhesive may be used to join the roof covering to the decking. “Flashing” made of sheet metal is installed at corners and joints or around chimneys. Regardless of the covering, the roof should resist algae, hail, and wind damage, support the weight of ice and snow in colder climates and be watertight.

Property exposure at the contractor’s own location is generally limited to those of an office, shop, and storage of materials, equipment, and vehicles. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating, and air conditioning systems. Solvents, chemicals, or sealants used to install roofing may be flammable, requiring proper storage and separation from combustibles. If repair work on owned vehicles and equipment is done in the building, fire hazards may be high due to the presence of oils, fuels, and other combustibles. When hot built-up roofing is done, any preparation work with hot tar and asphalt heated at the yard site increases the fire potential for both the insured and to neighboring properties. Equipment, materials, and supplies stored in the yard have higher exposures to wind, vandalism, and theft.

Crime exposure is from employee dishonesty. Background checks should be conducted prior to hiring any employee. All orders, billing, and disbursements must be handled as separate duties and annual external audits conducted.

Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the contractor bills customers for services, computers, contractors’ tools, and equipment, goods in transit, installation floater, and valuable papers and records for clients’ and suppliers’ information. Contractors’ equipment includes hoists, ladders, scaffolding and similar equipment that may be damaged during transport to or from the jobsite by collision or upset, or during setup or use. Building materials and tools may be damaged by dropping, weather conditions, or loss due to theft by third parties or employees

Premises liability exposures at the contractor’s office or shop are generally limited due to lack of public access. At the job site, tools, power cords, and scrap all pose trip hazards even when not in use. Roofing materials or tools and equipment dropped during operations may cause serious injury to occupants or passersby or serious property damage. Wind or weather may damage the unfinished portion of the roof or the interior of the building during the installation process. Repair or installation using hot tar may be a fire hazard to the building being worked on or to neighboring structures. Roofing materials in the open may create an attractive nuisance hazard to children who enjoy climbing.

Completed operations liability exposures arise from collapse, leak, or wind damage to a roof that has not been installed or repaired properly. Gradual seepage of water can cause mold or rot within the structure itself. Quality control and experience are important issues to evaluate. Hazards may increase in the absence of proper record keeping of work orders and change orders, as well as inspection and signed approval of finished work by the customer.

Environmental impairment liability exposures are from the disposal of old roofing materials and the disposal of waste tar, asphalt, sealants, and adhesives due to the potential for contamination of air, ground, or water. Removal of asbestos tiles may be a concern; although the asbestos in tiles is typically non-friable, (it does not readily crumble and become airborne). Proper written procedures and documentation of both the transportation and disposal process are important.

Automobile exposures are generally limited to transporting workers, equipment, and supplies to and from job sites. Loading and unloading hazards may be significant due to the weight of roofing materials. If hot tar or asphalt is used, overturn or collision during transport could result in damage to other vehicles. Clean up costs may be extensive. All drivers must have appropriate licenses and acceptable MVRs. Vehicles must be maintained and the records kept in a central location.

Workers compensation exposure can be severe as work is done above ground. Workers can fall from roofs due to tripping or from sudden changes in the wind or weather. The exposure increases if the roofs are pitched rather than flat. They may also be injured by falling objects. Common hazards include back injuries from lifting, cuts and puncture wounds from trimming the flashing and other materials, foreign objects in the eye, and work with hand and power tools. The application of hot tar and asphalt can result in burns and eye, skin, and lung irritations.

Minimum recommended coverage

Business Personal Property, Employee Dishonesty, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Contractors’ Equipment and Tool Floaters, Goods in Transit, Installation Floater, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Hired and Nonownership Auto Liability, Workers Compensation

Other coverages to consider

Building, Business Income with Extra Expense, Earthquake, Flood, Leasehold Interest, Real Property Legal Liability, Cyberliability, Employment-related Practices Liability, Environmental Impairment Liability, Stop Gap Liability, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) (Drones)