Workers Compensation Insurance for Commercial Roofing Contractors
Workers compensation insurance pays medical expenses and lost wages when your employees are injured on the job. Commercial roofing is one of the most hazardous trades in construction, with fall-from-height injuries, heat-related illness, and burn injuries all common. Most states require it, and virtually every general contractor requires proof of coverage before you step on a job site.
What It Covers
Workers comp covers medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, and death benefits for employees injured during the course of employment. If a roofer falls through a skylight opening, the policy pays for surgery, physical therapy, and wage replacement during recovery. It also covers occupational diseases like respiratory issues from prolonged spray foam or asphalt fume exposure. Employer's liability coverage within the policy protects you from lawsuits alleging negligent working conditions.
What It Does Not Cover
Workers comp does not cover injuries to subcontractors or their employees — they need their own policies. It excludes injuries resulting from employee intoxication, self-inflicted harm, or injuries sustained while violating company safety policies. Independent contractors are not covered unless reclassified by audit.
Real Claim Examples
A membrane installer steps on an unmarked skylight and falls 20 feet to the warehouse floor, resulting in a broken pelvis and $180,000 in medical and lost-wage claims. A torch-down applicator suffers second-degree burns when a propane line fails during a modified bitumen installation, requiring three weeks of wound care. A laborer develops chronic knee damage after two years of carrying 80-pound rolls of single-ply up ladders.
How Much It Costs
Roofing carries some of the highest workers comp rates in construction — typically $15 to $35 per $100 of payroll depending on your state, experience modification rate, and safety program. A crew of 10 with $600,000 in payroll can easily spend $90,000 to $210,000 annually. A strong safety program and clean loss history can cut that by 30% or more through experience mod credits.
Why Work With Us for This Coverage
We specialize in getting commercial roofers competitive workers comp rates by matching you with carriers that reward safety investments, offer pay-as-you-go billing, and understand roofing class codes. We also help you manage your experience modification rate so premiums trend down over time.
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