Insurance Requirements · United States · 2026
Do roofers need insurance?
Yes — in nearly every U.S. state. Most states require licensed roofers to carry Commercial Auto, General Liability, Workers' Compensation before they can operate. Here's what to buy, what it costs, and which carriers serve the trade.
01
Coverage checklist
| Coverage | Requirement | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial AutoCA | Required | $1400.00–$2600.00/yr |
| General LiabilityGL | Required | $600.00–$1500.00/yr |
| Workers' CompensationWC | Required | $4000.00–$12000.00/yr |
| Inland Marine / Tools & EquipmentIM | Recommended | $300.00–$1000.00/yr |
| Business Owner's PolicyBOP | Optional | $700.00–$1800.00/yr |
| Commercial PropertyCP | Optional | $700.00–$2500.00/yr |
| Professional Liability / E&OPL/E&O | Optional | $600.00–$1500.00/yr |
SOURCE · National carrier filings · BLS labor statistics · Updated 2026
02
Cost breakdown
Commercial Auto
$1400.00–$2600.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Truck size
- ·Equipment
Required for work trucks hauling materials and ladders.
General Liability
$600.00–$1500.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Height of work
- ·Steep-slope vs. flat
- ·Crew size
- ·Revenue
Required by licenses and GCs; fall and property-damage exposure keeps premiums high.
Workers' Compensation
$4000.00–$12000.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Payroll
- ·Slope/height
- ·Experience mod
Required once you have employees; roofing is among the most expensive WC classes codes due to fall risk.
Inland Marine / Tools & Equipment
$300.00–$1000.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Tool value
Covers nail guns, air compressors, and ladders.
Business Owner's Policy
$700.00–$1800.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Office/shop
If you lease an office or yard.
Commercial Property
$700.00–$2500.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Shop ownership
If you own/lease a yard or shop.
Professional Liability / E&O
$600.00–$1500.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Design work
Rare unless you design roof systems.
03
Best carriers for roofer
Embroker
AM Best: A
professional-liabilitygeneral-liabilityworkers-compensationcyber-liability
Hiscox
AM Best: A
professional-liabilitygeneral-liabilitycyber-liabilitybusiness-owners-policy
NEXT Insurance
AM Best: A-
general-liabilityworkers-compensationcommercial-autobusiness-owners-policy
Simply Business
AM Best: A
general-liabilityprofessional-liabilityworkers-compensationcommercial-auto
Thimble
AM Best: A
general-liabilitycommercial-autoinland-marineworkers-compensation
04
Requirements by state
| State | Coverage | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Alaska | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Arizona | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Arkansas | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| California | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Colorado | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Connecticut | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Delaware | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| District of Columbia | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Florida | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Georgia | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Hawaii | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Idaho | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Illinois | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Indiana | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Iowa | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Kansas | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Kentucky | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Louisiana | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Maine | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Maryland | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Massachusetts | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Michigan | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Minnesota | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Mississippi | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Missouri | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Montana | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Nebraska | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Nevada | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| New Hampshire | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| New Jersey | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| New Mexico | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| New York | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| North Carolina | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| North Dakota | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Workers' comp is purchased through the state fund (monopolistic state). |
| Ohio | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Workers' comp is purchased through the state fund (monopolistic state). |
| Oklahoma | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Oregon | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Pennsylvania | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Rhode Island | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| South Carolina | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| South Dakota | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Tennessee | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Texas | Workers' Compensation | Optional | Statutory — Texas is the only state where workers' comp is optional for private employers. |
| Utah | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Vermont | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Virginia | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Washington | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Workers' comp is purchased through the state fund (monopolistic state). |
| West Virginia | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Wisconsin | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Wyoming | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Workers' comp is purchased through the state fund (monopolistic state). |
05
Frequently asked questions
Do roofers need insurance?+
Yes. Roofing is one of the highest-risk trades. General liability and workers' comp are required by most licenses and contracts, and premiums reflect the fall and property-damage exposure.
Why is roofing insurance so expensive?+
Roofers have some of the highest workers' comp class codes because of fall injuries. General liability premiums are also elevated because a bad installation can damage an entire home or building.
Is workers' comp required for roofers?+
Yes, in nearly every state once you have employees. Texas is the only state where workers' comp is optional.
06
Related professions
Other trades & contractors businesses
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