How Much Does Roofers Insurance Cost in 2025?

Running a roofing company means balancing production, safety, and cash flow. Insurance is your backstop when a ladder hits a client’s car, wind‑driven rain enters an open roof, or a crew member gets hurt. But what should a roofing business budget for coverage this year? 

Below you’ll find current benchmarks specific to roofers, the levers that move your premium up or down, and practical savings ideas you can use at renewal.

Current Average Cost (2025 Insight)

For roofing contractors (typical small firm, two employees):

• General Liability (GL): ~$389/month on average nationwide; state averages range roughly $338–$453/month.
• Business Owner’s Policy (BOP): ~$567/month (bundles GL + basic property). State averages typically range from $482 to $656/month.
• Workers’ Compensation: ~$836/month on average, with state averages from ~$726 (ME) to ~$970 (NY) for roofing class codes.
• Contractors Professional Liability (E&O): ~$97/month average; state averages often fall ~$84–$115/month.

“As low as” prices exist: some direct writers advertise minimum “roofing insurance” from ~$83/month for micro risks; real premiums vary by state, limits, payroll, operations, and loss history. Use these as floor indicators, not planning numbers. 

What Influences Your Premium?

1) Where you operate

State laws and claim trends drive significant differences—GL and, especially, workers’ comp are state-sensitive. Roofers in higher‑litigation or storm‑prone states typically pay more. 

2) Job mix and methods

Low‑slope commercial with large “open roof” exposure, torch‑applied systems, hot asphalt, or coatings (overspray/fumes) can push premiums and may trigger stricter terms. Some GL policies add open‑roof or hot‑work restrictions unless you meet specific safeguards.

3) Crew size, payroll & class codes

More employees and higher payroll raise costs. Workers’ comp is typically rated using a formula like: class rate × EMR × payroll ÷ 100. 

4) Safety record & claims history

Recent losses (e.g., a fall or interior water damage) can impact rates for 3–5 years. Strong fall‑protection and hot‑work controls are both a safety and an underwriting lever. 

5) Equipment & vehicles

Higher-value tools and equipment/equipment and a larger fleet, often require higher limits, which in turn drive inland marine and commercial auto costs. (Auto is a separate policy—GL/BOP won’t cover vehicle liability.) 

6) Limits, deductibles & contract terms

Higher liability limits cost more. Contracts that require Additional Insured, Primary & Non‑Contributory, and Waiver of Subrogation endorsements are standard in construction and can affect pricing/placement. 

Cost Range Examples: Who Pays What?

All figures below reflect typical 2025 benchmarks and common state ranges for a small roofing company (≈approximately two employees). Your quote will vary.

Core liability options

• GL only: ≈ $340–$450/month by state. 
• BOP (GL + property): ≈ $482–$656/month by state.

Workers’ comp (separate policy)

• WC: ≈ $726–$970/month by state for roofers.

Add‑ons (common for contracts or higher risk):

• Umbrella/Excess: about $40–$75 per month per $1M in extra limits (industry‑wide small‑business averages). 
• E&O (Contractors Professional Liability): ≈ $84–$115/month by state (design‑assist/consultation exposure).
• Tools & Equipment (Inland Marine): median small‑biz benchmarks ~$14–$29/month for low limits; many contractor programs start ~$500–$800/year to insure higher tool values—cost tracks your total insured value.

Quick program math (illustrative): many small roofers carry BOP ($482–$656) + WC ($726–$970) = roughly $1,200–$1,600/month before any umbrella, auto, or tools coverage—state, payroll, and losses can move this up or down. 

What Does “Roofers Insurance” Include?

• GL / BOP: third‑party bodily injury, property damage, and personal/advertising injury (BOP adds property/business interruption). 
• Workers’ comp: medical/wage benefits for injured employees (mandated in most states).
• Commercial auto: liability/physical damage for work vehicles (not covered by GL/BOP).
• Tools & equipment (inland marine): covers mobile tools/equipment on jobsites/in transit.
• Umbrella/Excess: extra liability limits over GL/auto/employers’ liability.
• Optional: Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) for coatings/overspray/fumes—GL typically excludes pollution.

Smart Ways To Save — Without Creating Coverage Gaps

• Bundle smartly: Compare GL vs. BOP pricing and bundle with the same carrier when it genuinely reduces your total spend. MoneyGeek also recommends shopping multiple insurers and paying annually to avoid installment fees.
• Raise deductibles (selectively): Higher deductibles can lower premiums—make sure your cash buffer can absorb small losses.
• Prove safety: Document OSHA‑compliant fall protection (29 CFR 1926.501) and keep training records.
• Control hot‑work: Adopt NRCA CERTA torch‑safety training; many underwriters/owners require it, and it reduces fire risk.
• Plan for weather/open roofs: Meet any open‑roof endorsement terms (tarping, on‑site fire extinguishers, time‑limits) to avoid denials and show underwriters you manage “water‑in” risk.
• Tighten subcontractor risk transfer: Require COIs with Additional Insured / Primary & Non‑Contributory / Waiver of Subrogation as your contracts demand.
• Keep losses low: Even minor incidents can snowball—average slip‑and‑fall claims are often cited at around $20,000 (defense + medical), underscoring the value of housekeeping and site controls. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roofers Insurance legally required?

There’s no federal GL mandate, but many state licensing boards and cities require proof of liability and workers’ compensation to license or register contractors and to obtain permits (e.g., Florida’s DBPR licensing checklist; City of Sarasota contractor registration).

Can I buy coverage before I’m licensed?

Generally, yes—you can secure GL/BOP and WC quotes pre‑license, but you’ll need a Certificate of Insurance (COI) to register with many jurisdictions or to start permitted work. 

What limits do most contracts expect?

A common baseline is $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate on GL, with AI/PNC/Waiver wording and sometimes an umbrella (often $1M–$5M). Exact requirements vary by owner and city. 

Does GL or BOP cover my trucks and trailers?

No. You need commercial auto for vehicle liability/physical damage; BOPs specifically exclude vehicles. 

Are premiums tax‑deductible?

The IRS allows businesses to deduct ordinary and necessary insurance expenses; see IRS guidance and consult your tax professional. (Note: IRS Pub. 535 was discontinued after 2022, but the rule still applies—see current IRS resources.) 

Secure Coverage That Fits Your Roofing Business

For 2025 budgeting, a small roofer might expect GL ≈ $340–$450/mo or BOP ≈ $482–$656/mo plus WC ≈ $726–$970/mo, with add‑ons as needed (umbrella, tools, auto, CPL). Actual quotes hinge on your state, payroll, job mix (open‑roof/torch/coatings), and loss history. Shop broadly, bundle smartly, document safety, and align coverage to contract requirements to keep costs in check—without taking on uninsured risk. 

Ready to compare right‑sized options? Get a tailored insurance quote through Roofers Insurance US and protect your business while staying competitive on bids.