Hiring a roofing contractor without proper insurance is like driving without a seatbelt. Everything's fine until it isn't. And when things go wrong on a roofing job, they go very wrong—falls from height, equipment accidents, and property damage create liabilities that can devastate homeowners who hired uninsured contractors.
Understanding insurance requirements protects your family and your finances.
Why Insurance Matters for Roofing Projects
Workers compensation insurance exists for a reason. Roofing consistently ranks among the most dangerous occupations. Workers fall from heights, suffer injuries from equipment, and face heat exhaustion in summer months. When injuries happen on your property, the question becomes who pays.
If your contractor carries workers compensation, their insurance covers medical costs, lost wages, and disability for injured workers. If they don't, you could face a lawsuit. California law holds property owners potentially liable for injuries sustained by workers on their property, regardless of who employed them.
General liability insurance protects your property. A dropped tool that damages your window, a careless move that puts a hole through your ceiling, a fire started by hot work—these incidents happen on construction sites. Liability insurance covers repair costs and related expenses.
Verification requires more than taking their word. Any contractor can claim to have insurance. Reputable ones provide certificates of insurance on request. These certificates show coverage types, policy limits, and expiration dates. They also list your address as the job location.
Call the insurance company directly to verify coverage. Some unscrupulous contractors provide outdated certificates or forge documents. A phone call to the carrier confirms the policy is active and in good standing.
Minimum coverage matters. California requires workers compensation for any contractor with employees. General liability minimums vary, but reputable contractors carry at least $1 million per occurrence. Major roofing projects warrant higher limits.
A contractor who balks at providing insurance documentation is telling you something important. Listen.
What happens without proper insurance? Consider this scenario: An uninsured worker falls from your roof and suffers permanent injury. Your homeowners insurance may cover some liability, but policy limits might not reach the settlement amount. Personal assets—your home, savings, future earnings—could be at risk.
The cheapest bid often lacks proper insurance. Undercutting legitimate contractors requires cutting costs somewhere. Insurance premiums represent significant expense for roofing companies. Contractors who skip coverage can bid lower, but they transfer their risk to you.
License verification complements insurance confirmation. California's Contractors State License Board maintains public records showing license status, any complaints or disciplinary actions, and workers compensation exemption status. A few minutes on their website reveals important background.
Bonding provides another protection layer. Contractor bonds guarantee completion of work according to contract. If a bonded contractor abandons your job or fails to meet obligations, the bond provides funds to hire someone else to finish.
Put insurance requirements in your contract. Before signing any agreement, include language requiring the contractor to maintain specified coverage throughout the project. This creates legal recourse if coverage lapses during your job.
Document everything. Keep copies of insurance certificates, license verification, and contract terms. If problems arise, this documentation supports your position. Without it, disputes become your word against theirs.
