Get quotes for public liability, professional indemnity, tools and employers' liability insurance for UK roofers — quotes are provided directly by FCA-authorised insurers, not by us.
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Every trade faces unique risks. Here's what could go wrong and why the right cover matters.
Roofing is consistently ranked among the UK's highest-risk trades, and the HSE reports falls from height remain the leading cause of construction deaths and serious injuries. Here's what shapes how roofer cover is priced and underwritten.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require a proper risk assessment, safe access and appropriate fall protection — guardrails, netting or harnesses — for every job. Falls from ladders, scaffolding and roof edges remain the single biggest cause of serious injury and death in the trade, and serious incidents must be reported under RIDDOR.
Skylights, rooflights, old fibre cement sheets and deteriorated coverings can give way without warning under a worker's weight. HSE guidance is clear that no one should work on a fragile surface unless platforms, coverings or crawling boards are used to spread the load, with fall-arrest systems in place.
A dislodged tile, slate or tool falling from a roof is one of the most common real-world roofer claims — striking a parked car, a conservatory, or a passer-by below. These claims often involve people who had no connection to the job, which is exactly what public liability cover is designed to respond to.
Older roofs — particularly outbuildings, garages and industrial units — may use asbestos cement sheets. Disturbing or working above these without knowing what you're dealing with has led to fatal falls when panels have given way, and creates a separate asbestos exposure risk. Older roofs should be treated with caution until confirmed safe.
A strong policy covers the specific risks of your trade — from site accidents to equipment theft and client disputes.
Covers legal costs and compensation if a client or third party is injured or has property damaged during your work. Most builders and contractors require you to hold this before starting on site.
Covers your tools against theft from a van or site, and accidental damage. Tool theft is one of the most common claims for tradespeople — check the limit carefully.
Legally required if you employ anyone — including casual workers or labour-only subcontractors you direct on site. Minimum £5 million cover required by law.
Covers work in progress on site against damage from fire, flood, theft or accidental damage before it's handed over to the client. Essential for large or long-running jobs.
Covers owned or hired-in plant and machinery on site — diggers, cherry pickers, compressors and specialist equipment.
Covers legal costs for contract disputes, debt recovery, HMRC investigations and employment tribunal defence.
A few things worth checking before you buy, whichever UK insurer or broker you compare.
Check the limit matches what your contracts, landlord or clients require — common tiers are £1m, £2m, £5m and £10m depending on trade and risk.
Professional and liability covers are often "claims-made" — cover depends on holding a live policy when a claim is made, not just when the work happened.
Read what's excluded, not just what's covered. Sub-contractor work, specific activities, or work carried out overseas are common gaps.
Before buying, confirm any insurer or broker is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority — check the register at register.fca.org.uk.
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