They will show you a copy of their insurance certificate, but it may not be in force. The name on the policy will be different to the name of the contractor on your contract. Your contractor will have a valid insurance policy, but the coverage may not include roofing.

This is because the so called “roofing” contractor, in order to escape the high cost of “roofing” insurance, has declared himself to be a general contractor by inserting “roofing & construction”, “roofing and remodeling”, “roofing and renovation”, etc. General contractor insurance is much cheaper.

The problem is that the insurance company won’t cover you once they discover that a claim is made by a Contractor whose main business is roofing.To assure your protection a professional roofer will carry “Worker’s Compensation” AND “General Liability” insurance. A professional will be happy to give you the name of his or her insurance carrier and agent. You can then independently verify that a policy is in force, and that it covers roofing specifically.

Call the carrier and ask them to send you a Certificate of Insurance. They will be glad to. It is part of their job. Do not accept a letter or certificate directly from the roofer as proof of insurance. That’s simply not the way things are done.Anyone who claims they are exempt from carrying insurance, or that your homeowner’s insurance will cover you, or that they are self-insured, may not be telling the truth. Don’t take a chance!

The consequences are too great. Do business with folks who care enough about your welfare to insure your job in a professional manner.