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Insurance requirements for roofing subcontractors

Short answer

Ask roofing subs for general liability with completed operations coverage, workers’ comp for every person on the crew, and often umbrella. Roofing has three big risks: falls, fire from torches and hot tar, and leaks that show up months after the job. Check that workers’ comp covers the whole crew, not just the owner.

Written by Liam · CertChase · Last reviewed October 3, 2026

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What goes wrong on roofs

Falls. Working at height is the main danger on a roof, so workers’ comp matters most here.
Fire. Torch-down and hot-tar work puts open flame on a building.
Leaks later. A bad flashing detail may not leak until the next heavy rain. That’s a completed operations claim.
Debris and drops. Tools and material falling on people or cars below.

What to ask for

Coverage	Why it matters for roofing
General liability	Property damage from fire, water and falling material
Completed operations	Leaks that appear after the job. See ongoing vs completed
Workers’ comp for the crew	Falls and injuries. Ask who’s on the roof, not just who’s on the paperwork
Commercial auto	Trucks, trailers and material hauls
Umbrella	Extra limit for a big claim on a commercial roof

Check these too

License. Where your state licenses roofers, look it up. In California, roofing is license class C-39.
Exemptions. California roofing contractors can’t file a workers’ comp exemption. They must carry coverage. A roofer with an exemption on file in California is a red flag.
Hot work. If a sub uses torches, ask your broker about any exclusions.

Sources: CSLB workers’ comp requirements. Laws and agency rules change. Check the current version.

Questions to ask the roofer

How many people will be on my job, and are they all on your workers’ comp?
Do you use torches or hot tar? Any fire exclusion on your policy?
Does your additional insured cover finished work too?

Not legal or insurance advice. This is general information. Your contract, your state and your policy decide what applies to you. Ask your broker or attorney.

Frequently asked questions

What insurance should a roofing subcontractor have?

General liability with completed operations, workers’ comp for the whole crew, and often commercial auto and umbrella. Your contract and broker set the limits.

Can a roofing contractor in California opt out of workers’ comp?

No. California’s license board says roofing (C-39) contractors must carry workers’ comp. They can’t file an exemption.

Keep reading

01By tradeRequirements by tradeWhat insurance to ask for from roofers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC, framers and concrete subs, and why each trade’s risks are different.02ExplainerOngoing vs completed operationsOngoing operations cover work in progress. Completed operations cover problems that show up after the job is done. Why you need both.03How-to guideHow to verify a COIA certificate of insurance is just paper. Here is the one-minute check, the phone call that actually proves it, and the red flags to watch for.04By tradeElectrical subsWhat to ask an electrical sub for: fire and shock risk, damage that shows up later, helpers and apprentices, and license checks.05By tradePlumbing subsWhat to ask a plumbing sub for: water damage that shows up later, completed operations, license checks, and occurrence vs claims-made.

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