Roofing Subcontractor-Only Insurance

Risks Specific to This Sub-Trade

Contractual indemnification clauses in subcontract agreements frequently transfer liability beyond what the sub policy covers, creating gaps when the prime contractor is sued and tenders defense to the sub. The pressure to maintain continuous coverage without lapses is existential since a single day without active COI can result in termination from prime contractor vendor lists. Working under another company direction means the sub has limited control over jobsite safety conditions, scheduling pressure, and crew sizing decisions, yet retains WC exposure for their own workers in those conditions. Additional insured endorsement stacking across multiple prime contractors creates confusion about whose policy is primary in multi-party claims.

Coverages This Sub-Trade Needs

Carriers That Write This Sub-Trade

Subcontractor-only roofing operations often find favorable placement in specialist programs because the absence of direct homeowner contracts eliminates a significant source of disputes and litigation. Specialist markets recognize that claims frequency is typically lower for sub-only operations, though severity per claim can be higher due to the contractual liability transfer mechanisms. Programs that offer blanket additional insured endorsements and waiver of subrogation are essential for this class, as individual endorsement requests from each prime contractor create administrative burden.

What Disqualifies an Account

Operations that cannot provide a blanket additional insured endorsement or refuse waiver of subrogation clauses are effectively unplaceable because no prime contractor will hire them. A lapse in coverage of even one day that results in removal from a prime contractor vendor list signals instability to specialist markets. Sub-only operations discovered performing direct-to-homeowner work without disclosure face policy rescission. Crews that cannot provide safety documentation meeting prime contractor OSHA requirements create cascading compliance failures.

Premium Range

Small sub-only crews of 3-5 workers generating $200K-$500K typically pay $7,000-$15,000 for GL/WC/Auto, often 10-20% below direct-to-consumer rates due to the reduced homeowner dispute exposure. Mid-size operations with multiple crews at $600K-$1.5M pay $16,000-$38,000. Larger sub-only operations above $2M should expect $40,000-$95,000, with umbrella requirements frequently dictated by the prime contractor minimum limits rather than the sub operational exposure.