Roofers Insurance Requirements by State: A Quick Overview

Navigating insurance rules is tougher for roofers than most trades: you work at height, open buildings to the weather, and sometimes use hot‑work. While general liability (CGL) isn’t usually mandated by statewide law, many state licensing boards, city permitting offices, and prime‑contractors require proof of it—along with workers’ comp and, if you drive for work, commercial auto. 

Below is a roofer-specific snapshot of what’s required where, along with practical steps to stay compliant on every job.

What “Roofers Insurance” Includes (at minimum)

• Commercial General Liability (CGL): Third‑party bodily injury & property damage from your operations or completed work; often required by licenses, permits, and contracts.
• Workers’ Compensation: Required in 49 states once you have employees (Texas is the notable exception).
• Commercial Auto Liability: Required for business‑owned vehicles in every state except New Hampshire (which uses a financial‑responsibility alternative).

States That Explicitly Tie Liability Insurance To Contractor / Roofer Licensing

These states (and one registration program) require proof of general liability at the state level to obtain or maintain a license/registration (roofers are within the contractor scope):

• Florida (CILB / DBPR): Applicants must attest to public liability & property damage insurance at Board‑set limits (Division I: $300k/$50k; most others, incl. roofing: $100k/$25k).
• Hawaii (DCCA-PVL): Active contractors must maintain continuous liability and workers’ compensation insurance on file with the Board.
• Louisiana (LSLBC): Requires general liability insurance (minimum $100,000) and workers’ compensation for licensed/registered contractors; specific wording is required on the certificate.
• Oregon (CCB): Licensees must keep an active general liability policy for the duration of the license (proof required).
• Tennessee (Board for Licensing Contractors): Proof of GL is required to apply/renew; minimums scale with license monetary limit (e.g., $100k–$1M).
• Utah (DOPL): Active contractor licenses must carry general liability; specialty contractors commonly need $100k per incident / $300k aggregate.
• Washington (L&I contractor registration): Registration requires GL of $200k public liability + $50k property damage (or $250k CSL) and a surety bond.
• Kansas (Roofing Contractor Registration Act): State registration (not a license) is mandatory for roofers and requires $500,000 liability insurance and workers’ comp (or exemption).

California special rule (workers’ comp): C‑39 roofing contractors must carry workers’ comp even with no employees; a newer law (SB‑1455, 2024) delays the broader “workers’ comp for all licensees” mandate from 2026 to 2028. 

States Without A Statewide Roofing License (Local Rules Apply)

Some states don’t license roofers at the state level; cities and counties set the bar (often requiring a local license/registration, a bond, and proof of GL):

• Texas: No state roofer license; RCAT offers voluntary licensing. Many owners still require GL/COI by contract.
• Colorado: No statewide roofing license; requirements are municipal. Expect local GL/bond proof for permits.
• Missouri: No statewide roofer license; check your city/county licensing and permit insurance rules.

Several other states follow similar “local‑control” patterns; always verify with the local building department before mobilizing.

Workers’ Comp & Commercial Auto: The Real (Nearly Universal) Mandates

• Workers’ Compensation: Mandatory in every state except Texas for employers (thresholds and exemptions vary). Roofers in California C‑39 must carry it regardless of employees.
• Commercial Auto: If your business owns vehicles, all states except New Hampshire require liability insurance; NH allows proof of financial responsibility instead.

State‑by‑State: What Roofers Should Check First (Fast Filter)

State signal	What to look for	Example sources
State license requires GL	Board rules list GL limits and certificate wording	FL DBPR; LA LSLBC; OR CCB; TN; UT; HI; WA L&I.
Registration requires GL	Registration statute sets a minimum GL limit	Kansas AG (Roofing Registration): $500k GL.
No statewide license	City/county licensing & permit COIs govern	TX (RCAT voluntary), CO & MO local.
WC special rules	Trade‑specific mandates (e.g., CA C‑39: WC mandatory even solo)	CSLB WC page; SB‑1455 update to 2028.
Permit/contract wordings	Additional Insured / Primary & Non‑Contributory / Waiver of Subrogation is frequently required.	Industry guidance & contract counsel.

Practical Steps (Works in Every State)

1. Check your state board (and city/county) before bidding—confirm if GL and WC certificates are on file and whether specific limits or endorsements are required. 
2. Align endorsements with contracts: AI (ongoing & completed ops), Primary & Non‑Contributory, and Waiver of Subrogation are routine in construction agreements.
   
3. Mind commercial auto if you title trucks to the business (NH uses financial‑responsibility rules).
4. For multi‑state work: Keep a master COI plus state‑specific versions that match each agency’s wording (e.g., Louisiana certificate language).
5. In California: If you hold C‑39, keep WC in force even when staffing flexes; broader WC‑for‑all now targets Jan 1, 2028. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is general liability legally required by any state?

Usually, the prerequisite for permits or contracts is not required; however, many states (and cities) incorporate GL into licensing or registration rules for contractors, while others make it a prerequisite. Examples include Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Kansas (registration). 

What GL limit should a roofing company carry?

Common baselines are $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, but some states specify minimums (e.g., LA $100k, TN scaling by monetary limit, WA $250k CSL). Public owners and primes often require higher limits and an umbrella.

Is workers’ comp mandatory for roofers?

Yes, in 49 states, when you have employees, Texas allows opt‑out (with conditions). California C‑39 must carry WC even without employees; broader “WC for all” was extended to 2028. 

Do I need commercial auto?

If the business owns the vehicle, yes, in every state except New Hampshire (financial‑responsibility alternative). 

We only work locally—do we still need state‑level proof?

In “local‑control” states (e.g., Texas, Colorado, Missouri), your city/county may require a local license/registration, surety bond, and a COI with specific AI/PNC/Waiver terms to issue permits. 

Bottom Line For Roofers

CGL isn’t universally mandated by statute—but many licensing boards, local permitting offices, and contracts make it functionally mandatory. Workers’ compensation is required almost everywhere (with a special exception in CA, C‑39), and commercial auto insurance is effectively universal outside of NH. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with your state and city regulations, match contract endorsements, and keep COIs up to date to prevent bid and permit delays. 

Need help tailoring a compliant program? Visit Roofers Insurance US to explore your options—liability, workers’ comp, auto, tools/equipment, pollution, and umbrella—built to your state and contract requirements.