Do Home-Based Roofing Businesses Need Roofers Insurance?

Running your roofing company from home keeps overhead low—but it doesn’t remove risk. You still send crews to job sites, store tools and materials, and sometimes meet clients at your home. A single ladder mishap, overspray on a neighbor’s car, or slip on your walkway can turn into a costly claim. 

That’s where a Roofers Insurance package—centered on Commercial General Liability (CGL) and paired with other coverages—protects your business and reputation. OSHA fall‑protection rules start at 6 ft for roofing, underscoring how “home‑based” doesn’t equal low risk. 

Here, we will discuss why home-based roofing businesses need coverage and how to choose the right policy.

What Is Roofers Insurance?

“Roofers Insurance” isn’t a single policy. It’s a bundle built around CGL (third‑party bodily injury, property damage, and personal/advertising injury), plus common add‑ons: workers’ compensation, commercial auto, contractors’ equipment (inland marine) for tools, Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) for coatings/overspray/fumes, and sometimes Contractors Professional Liability (E&O) if you do design‑assist or specs. 

For torch work, many owners and carriers expect NRCA CERTA torch‑safety training and hot‑work fire watch consistent with NFPA 51B. 

Why Your Homeowners Policy Isn’t Enough

Standard homeowners policies limit or exclude business coverage. Liability for business visitors (clients, delivery people) is typically excluded, and business property at home often caps around $2,500 unless you buy special endorsements—still with gaps. In short, your home policy usually won’t defend a business claim. 

Vehicles are similar: if a vehicle is owned by or primarily used for business, personal auto coverage may not apply—you need commercial auto (and hired/non‑owned auto if employees use personal cars for work). 

Do Home‑Based Roofers Actually Need It?

Yes—almost always. If anyone visits your home for business, if you stage materials at home, if you (or crews) work off‑site, or if you drive to jobs, you face liability. Even very small operations should carry CGL and commercial auto insurance; once you hire staff, most states require workers’ compensation insurance. 

What To Include (Coverage Types)

Commercial General Liability (CGL)

Your first line of defense for third‑party injuries and property damage—e.g., a client trips on your porch during an estimate, or a dropped tool cracks a skylight at a job. CGL also includes personal/advertising injury (some marketing/social‑media disputes). 

Workers’ Compensation

Medical/wage benefits for employee injuries are mandatory in most states once you have employees. (Roofing is closely scrutinized.) 

Commercial Auto

Covers business‑owned vehicles (and can add hired/non‑owned liability). Personal auto often won’t cover business use. 

Contractors’ Equipment (Inland Marine)

Protects tools and mobile equipment at home, in transit, and on jobsites.

Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL)

Fills the pollution gap in CGL for overspray, fumes, or runoff from coatings/adhesives. 

Contractors Professional Liability (E&O)

For design/consulting/specification errors (often claims‑made).

BOP (Business Owner’s Policy)

Bundles CGL + property + business‑income for the home office/shop—often cheaper than buying separately (still excludes auto, WC, and professional liability). 

Roofing‑specific endorsements to watch:

• Open‑Roof endorsements/limitations can restrict rain‑in losses during tear‑offs unless strict conditions are met (tarping, attendance, etc.).
• Hot‑work/torch conditions may require formal permits and extended fire watch; many safety programs and insurers now cite ≥60 minutes after hot work, with additional monitoring as conditions warrant.

How Much Does It Cost? 

Recent nationwide analysis for roofers shows:

• General Liability (GL): ~$389/month average.
• BOP (GL + property): ~$567/month average.
• Workers’ Comp: ~$836/month average (two‑employee profile; varies a lot by state and payroll).
• E&O (Professional Liability): options around $87–$100+/month depending on risk.

Actual premiums vary by state, payroll, methods (e.g., torch, coatings), claims history, and limits.

Choosing The Right Policy (Home‑Based Roofing Edition)

1. Map your exposures

Do clients visit your home? Do you store equipment there? Do you use torches or apply coatings? Match coverages accordingly (CPL for coatings; E&O if you advise/spec; higher GL limits if contracts require). 

2. Confirm endorsements and exclusions

Ask your broker to review open‑roof, hot‑work, care/custody/control, and your‑work/that‑particular‑part exclusions before you bind. Require Additional Insured / Primary & Non‑Contributory / Waiver wording for upstream parties in your contracts.

3. Nail hot‑work controls

Adopt NRCA CERTA training and follow NFPA 51B fire‑watch guidance (≥ 60 minutes, with added monitoring where required). 

4. Separate home and business risks

Don’t rely on homeowners or personal auto for business exposures—buy BOP/CPP for the home office/shop and commercial auto for vehicles. 

5. Shop smart

Compare multiple quotes and verify the AM Best financial strength for any carrier you consider (A‑ or better is a common threshold).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my homeowners policy cover customers who visit my home office?

Usually, no—homeowners policies commonly exclude business liability, and business property limits are low without endorsements. 

If I only drive my personal pickup to job sites, do I still need commercial auto?

If the vehicle is owned by the business or primarily used for business, personal auto may not respond—you’ll need commercial auto to avoid denials.

We don’t host clients at home—just store tools. Is CGL still needed?

Yes. Your operations create third-party exposure at job sites (falling objects, property damage, overspray). CGL is foundational even if the “office” is your kitchen table. 

What’s the right fire‑watch time after torch work?

Many insurers and safety programs now recommend at least 60 minutes after hot work, with additional monitoring as conditions warrant, aligning with NFPA 51B and your local code/permit. (OSHA materials reference ≥30 minutes minimum in some contexts.) 

What if rain gets in during tear‑off?

Some policies limit “open‑roof” losses unless you follow specific precautions. Know your wording and procedures before you start. 

Protect Your Home‑Based Roofing Business The Right Way

A home address doesn’t erase roofing risk. Build a Roofers Insurance package that fits how you actually work: CGL + WC + commercial auto as a baseline, then add tools/equipment, CPL, E&O, and an umbrella as contracts and methods require. Confirm homeowners and personal auto won’t cover your business exposures, and keep your endorsements (AI/PNC/Waiver, open‑roof, hot‑work) tight.

Ready to compare options tailored to a home‑based roofing operation? Visit Roofers Insurance US to obtain quotes and secure the ideal program for your crews and projects.