Texas Roofing Contractor Insurance Requirements

Roofing is one of the highest-risk trades in Texas construction. Insurance carriers know it, general contractors know it, and if you're a roofer, you've felt it every time you've tried to get a quote. Between the heat, the heights, and the heavy materials, your coverage has to be structured specifically for roofing operations — a generic contractor policy won't hold up when a claim hits.

General Liability for Roofing Contractors

General liability is the baseline, but roofers face scrutiny that other trades don't. Most GCs and commercial project owners in Texas require $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate minimum, and many large commercial roofs push for $2M per occurrence. Carriers will classify your operation by roof type — residential shingle, commercial flat, metal, tile — and by height and pitch. Steep-slope and high-rise work triggers surcharges or exclusions entirely. Make sure your policy doesn't exclude roofing operations by class code — that's the fine print that sinks claims.

Workers' Comp for Roofing Crews

Texas doesn't mandate workers' comp for private employers, but roofing has one of the highest injury rates in construction. Falls from heights, heat illness, and material-handling injuries are constant. Most GCs will not let a roofing sub on site without a workers' comp certificate, and if you're a sole proprietor with no employees, some carriers offer a policy with yourself excluded — but you need to understand what that means before you sign. Without workers' comp, a single fall claim can generate a lawsuit with no statutory cap on damages.

Roof Coverage Endorsements & Exclusions

Pay close attention to these common roofing-specific policy provisions:

• Roofing operations exclusion — some standard GL policies exclude roofing entirely; you need a carrier that writes roofing class codes.
• Subcontracted work exclusion — if you use 1099 subs, your policy may not cover their work unless you add them as additional insureds and collect their COIs.
• Completed operations coverage — critical for roofers because leak and defect claims surface months or years after the job is done.
• Heat gun / torch exclusion — some carriers exclude torch-down roofing operations; verify your methods are covered.

Tools & Equipment (Inland Marine)

Roofing tools are expensive — nail guns, hot kettles, lifts, compressors, and thermal equipment add up fast. Inland marine coverage protects this equipment in transit and on site. Theft from job sites and trucks is the most common loss roofers face. Make sure your policy covers replacement cost, not actual cash value, and that your per-item limits are high enough for your most expensive gear.

Commercial Auto for Roofing Trucks

Your trucks are carrying heavy loads, trailers, and equipment between job sites daily. Personal auto policies exclude business use. You need commercial auto with adequate limits — Texas minimums of $30K/$60K/$25K are far too low for a loaded roofing truck. Add hired and non-owned coverage if employees drive personal vehicles for work errands.

What GCs and Project Owners Require

Before you step on a commercial or large residential site, expect the GC to require:

• General Liability with $1M/$2M minimum (often $2M/$2M on commercial)
• Workers' Compensation with employer liability
• Additional Insured endorsement (CG 20 10 or CG 20 37)
• Waiver of subrogation in favor of the GC and owner
• Primary and non-contributory wording
• Certificate of Insurance issued before site access