Tradesman: Roofers & Roofing Contractors

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Roofers and Roofing Contractors Insurance

Roofers work at height on a day to day basis and with a wide range of materials and on all manner of structures.

It's no surprise then that the cost of insurance is more expensive for roofers and tilers because of the risks involved.

Public Liability Insurance

Roofer's PLI insures against unintentional damage or injury caused to others or their property by roofing companies. It covers legal liability to pay damages and legal costs if your business is found at fault.

The cost of insurance is related to the level of risk so insurers will want to know about:

• whether you trade as a sole-trader, self employed subcontractor, or contractor
• the type of roofing work carried out and whether hot or cold and products applied
  • tile
  • slate
  • steel
  • aluminium
  • lead
  • liquid plastic
  • single ply
  • felt
  • cladding
  • rooflight installation
• different heights you work at and the maximum height
• the proportion of work carried out at different locations e.g.
  • new build homes and modern roof systems
  • private residential property repairs and refurbishment
  • commercial or industrial premises
  • public sector/local authority buildings
  • hazardous locations

Assessing Risks and Cost

Accidents will happen and roofers are more likely than most trades to be working at height. This poses increased risk to yourself and third parties. Contractors usually have it as a condition of their insurance that subcontractors are have sufficient public liability cover to meet the cost of any accidents caused by them.

Working At Height

Height is another all important consideration for insurers. They'll want to know the percentage of work carried out at different heights, and the maximum height you work to, and if you use cranes, cradles, etc.

According the HSE over 50% of fatal injuries to roofers are falls through fragile materials and over 30% are falls from edges and openings.

Hot Works

If you work with heat your insurance premium will be higher still as injuries from hot-work equipment can be severe.

Insurers will want a breakdown of the percentage of turnover for hot and cold roofing. A good insurer who knows your business will want to know the type of equipment you use such as:

• Blow lamps/torches or other naked flame and compressed gas systems
• Lead roofing and welted jointing such as chimney aprons
• Bitumen/tar work on such as felt flat roofs
• Hot liquefied products such as mastic asphalt
• Asbestos cement roof sheeting products

Scaffolding

They will also need to know whether you provide and erect your own scaffolding, as well as access platforms, conveyor belts and scissor lifts to lift materials.

Multi Trade Work

If you carry out other types of work apart from roofing, eg building maintenance, let your insurer know. They'll also want to know the percentage of turnover for each activity.

Risks scaffolding pose, include:

• Scaffolding topples on to your customer's car
• A lose tile seriously injures a member of the public
• You fall and injure yourself so badly you can't work again

Contractors and subcontractors

If you subcontract work out, it's usually a condition of your insurance that you check subbies have adequate liability cover, usually the same level as yours.

Bona Fide subcontractors undertake work on your behalf and provide their own materials and labour and do not work under your control or supervision.

Employers Liability Insurance

Employers' liability insurance is compulsory and it allows businesses to compensate and pay the legal fees of employees who are injured or made ill at work through the fault of the employer.

Tools and Equipment

Roofers' tools and equipment are expensive, especially when hired, so it may pay to have decent tools cover in the event they were stolen or damaged.

Health hazards of the job include breathing in asbestos fibres or asphalt fumes, and you could suffer from skin conditions because of the materials you work with.

Roofers Insurance Companies

Giles Insurance Brokers Ltd

Established in 1967 Giles Insurance Brokers Ltd, an associate insurance provider of the Confederation of Roofing Contractors, offers discounted rates for trade and associate members.

Giles is also recommended by the National Federation of Builders and provide the NFB Insurance Solutions insurance package for small and large companies in the construction sector.

We couldn't access any of their policies online - you have to contact them direct. Or you can pop into one of their offices - they have over 40 branches throughout the UK, including Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff and London.

Apart from being recommended by the Confederation of Roofing Contractors, one of the reasons they caught our eye is that they are the chosen insurance brokers of SAFE contractor, a third party accreditation scheme that rates health and safety activities.

Regardless of the size of your operation they promise to tailor make an insurance package specifically suited to your particular business.

You can discuss your insurance needs face to face in one of their local branches. For businesses with turnover in excess of £20 million they have a specialist Large Construction team.

They provide cover for hazardous 'high risk' trades and locations and offer:

• Public, Products & Employers' Liability
• Professional Indemnity
• Latent Defects
• Contract Works
• Plant & Tools
• Buildings & Contents
• Vehicle & Fleet Insurance
• Environmental Liability
• Performance Bonds
• Business Interruption
• Construction Plant