Written by Michael Foote, Insurance Expert
Michael Foote is the founder of Quote Goat and has over 20 years experience working in finance & insurance. Since launching Quote Goat he has appeared on TV as well as many of the largest online publications including Forbes, The Telegraph and The Metro. Prior to Quote Goat, he worked in finance in the city.
Public Liability Insurance Is Only Part of the Picture
Public liability insurance protects you when your work causes injury to the public or damage to client property. It’s essential, but it doesn’t cover the full range of risks roofers face every day.
You work at height, handle expensive equipment, employ staff, and drive between jobs. A single incident involving any of these areas could result in costs that public liability won’t touch. Understanding the gaps in your cover helps you avoid serious financial exposure when something goes wrong.
What Public Liability Insurance Covers for Roofers
Public liability insurance typically covers:
- Injury to members of the public caused by your work (such as falling debris)
- Accidental damage to a client’s property, including roofs, guttering, or conservatories
- Legal defence costs if a third party makes a claim against you
- Compensation payments if you’re found liable
This type of cover is a baseline requirement for most roofing jobs, but it has clear limits.
What Public Liability Doesn’t Cover
Public liability insurance won’t protect you in these situations:
- Injuries to you or your employees
- Damage to your own tools, equipment, or vehicle
- Claims arising from faulty or defective workmanship
- Legal costs related to contract disputes
- Financial losses caused by project delays or professional errors
If you’re relying solely on public liability, you’re exposed in multiple areas that matter to your day-to-day business.
Employers’ Liability: A Legal Requirement
If you employ anyone, including part-time staff, you are legally required to hold employers’ liability insurance. This covers claims from employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their work.
Without it, you face fines of up to £2,500 per day. Even if you only employ one person occasionally, this cover is not optional.
Employers’ liability protects you if:
- A worker falls from scaffolding or a roof
- An employee develops a long-term health condition related to their work
- A member of your team is injured using tools or equipment
This cover is separate from public liability and must be in place before anyone starts working for you.
Tools and Equipment Need Their Own Cover
Your tools and equipment are the backbone of your business. Public liability won’t cover theft, loss, or damage to:
- Hand tools and power tools
- Ladders, scaffolding, and access equipment
- Materials stored on site or in your van
If your tools were stolen overnight or damaged in transit, could you afford to replace them immediately? Tool cover keeps you working when things go wrong. It also covers equipment you hire or borrow, which is often excluded from standard policies.
How groundworkers can protect their equipment with the right insurance offers useful insight into how equipment cover works across trades.
Your Van Isn’t Covered by Public Liability
Even if you’re driving between jobs, accidents involving your van fall outside public liability cover. You need:
- Commercial van insurance for road use
- Goods in transit cover if you carry tools or materials
- Optional breakdown cover to avoid costly downtime
Without the right vehicle insurance, you could be left unable to work and facing repair bills you can’t claim back. Goods in transit cover is particularly important if you regularly transport expensive materials or equipment.
Workmanship Claims Require Professional Indemnity Insurance
Public liability doesn’t cover faulty or defective work. If a client claims your roofing work was substandard and caused damage or financial loss, you’ll need professional indemnity insurance to defend yourself.
This type of cover is increasingly expected by commercial clients and larger contracts. It protects you against claims that:
- Your workmanship caused damage or didn’t meet the agreed specification
- You provided incorrect advice about materials or methods
- Your work resulted in financial loss for the client
Roofing mistakes and liability: what happens when work goes wrong explains how these claims can arise and what they cost.
Clients Now Expect More Than Public Liability
Many clients, particularly in the commercial sector, now request proof of insurance before agreeing to a job. They’re not just checking for public liability. They often want to see:
- Employers’ liability (if you have staff)
- Tool and equipment cover
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Evidence of adequate cover limits (often £5 million or more)
Having broader protection in place makes you more credible and can help you win higher-value contracts. Some clients will exclude you from tender processes if you can’t demonstrate the right level of cover.
What a Complete Roofers Insurance Policy Should Include
A tailored insurance package for roofers typically includes:
- Public liability insurance: Cover for third-party injury and property damage
- Employers’ liability insurance: Legally required if you have staff
- Tools and equipment cover: Protection against theft, loss, and damage
- Commercial vehicle insurance: Cover for your van and goods in transit
- Professional indemnity insurance: Defence against workmanship and advice claims
- Personal accident cover: Income protection if you’re injured and can’t work
This type of package reflects the real risks you face as a roofer and keeps your business protected on multiple fronts.
Do tradesmen need professional indemnity insurance? A guide by trade breaks down which trades benefit most from this type of cover.
How Much Does Full Cover Cost?
Costs vary depending on:
- Your turnover and number of employees
- The types of roofing work you carry out
- Your claims history
- The value of tools and equipment you need to cover
Many roofers find that adding extra cover to a public liability policy costs less than expected, especially when policies are bundled together. Paying slightly more for comprehensive cover is far cheaper than facing an uncovered claim.
Get a Quote Built Around Your Trade
Relying on public liability alone leaves gaps in your protection. Whether you’re a sole trader or run a roofing company with employees, it’s worth comparing policies designed specifically for your trade.
Use the button on screen to get a tailored quote from trusted UK providers and make sure your business is properly covered.