Insurance for Roofing Contractors and Roofing Businesses in Australia
Specialist public liability, tools, and income protection insurance for residential and commercial roofing contractors across Australia including cover for work above 2 storeys where standard policies exclude you
Insurance for roofing contractors and roofing businesses across Australia
Roofing is one of the highest-risk trades in Australia. Falls from heights, fragile roof surfaces, asbestos disturbance, falling objects, and the physical demands of working on pitched roofs in all weather conditions create a risk profile that most standard business insurance policies were not designed to cover adequately. Getting your roofing insurance right means understanding the specific exclusions that catch roofing contractors off guard — particularly the height limitation that removes cover under most standard policies the moment you go above 2 storeys.
Public liability, contract works, tools, income protection, and workers compensation — each covering a distinct roofing risk
No single policy covers everything a roofing business needs — the right program combines specialist covers that respond correctly to the work you do
Roofing insurance is a combination of covers that protects your business, your projects, your equipment, and your personal income from the specific risks of roofing work. The key is making sure each policy is specifically endorsed for roofing activities — particularly height work above 2 storeys — rather than relying on a generic trades policy that may exclude your most common work scenarios.
Most standard public liability policies exclude roofing work above 2 storeys or 10 metres — the height you work at every day
This is the most common gap in roofing contractor insurance and the most costly one to discover at claim time
Standard public liability policies written for general trades contain a height exclusion that removes cover for any external work above 2 storeys — typically around 7 to 8 metres — or 10 metres in some policies. For a roofer, this means the most common work you do every day may not be covered under a standard policy.
The exclusion does not appear prominently in the marketing material. It sits in the policy schedule or the exclusions section of the Product Disclosure Statement, and many roofing contractors have never read it. The gap only becomes apparent when a claim is lodged and the insurer declines on the basis that the work exceeded the policy's height limitation.
Are you actually covered for the heights you work at every day?
Standard trades public liability policies commonly exclude external work above 2 storeys or 10 metres. A single-storey residential roof is typically 3 to 4.5 metres. A two-storey residential roof is 6 to 8 metres. Most residential roofing work sits right at or above the standard exclusion threshold. Before your next job, ask your broker to confirm in writing what height your current policy covers — and what happens to your cover above that height. If the answer is not in writing, assume you are exposed.
What types of roofing businesses do we insure?
We arrange insurance for roofing contractors of all sizes across Australia. Here are the most common types of roofing businesses we work with and the specific risks each one faces.
Residential roofing contractors
Roofers working on houses and townhouses — new roofs, re-roofing, repairs, and maintenance. The standard residential roof height frequently exceeds the 2-storey exclusion threshold on standard trades policies. Specialist placement essential.
Commercial roofing contractors
Roofers working on commercial and industrial buildings, warehouses, and retail centres. Higher roof heights, larger project values, and more complex contract conditions all require higher public liability limits and specialist contract works cover.
Metal roofing specialists
Contractors specialising in Colorbond, Zincalume, and metal roofing systems. Metal roofing on commercial and industrial projects frequently involves heights well above standard residential work. Correct insurer placement for metal roof heights is critical.
Tile roofing contractors
Roofers installing concrete and terracotta tile systems on residential and commercial projects. Fragile roof surfaces, heavy tile loads, and the physical demands of tile installation create elevated workers compensation and public liability exposure.
Roof maintenance and repair
Roofers carrying out guttering, flashing, pointing, and maintenance work. Even maintenance jobs on standard residential properties frequently involve heights above the standard policy exclusion threshold. Same specialist placement requirement as new roof work.
Roof plumbing and membrane roofing
Roof plumbers and membrane roofing contractors. Hot works endorsement required for torch-on membrane, heat gun work, and lead flashing installation. Some standard roofing policies exclude hot works entirely — confirm before taking on any membrane job.
What insurance does a roofing contractor need?
Here is what each cover does for roofing businesses, including the roofing-specific scenarios and policy conditions that matter most for each one.
Public liability insurance
Specialist height-endorsed coverPublic liability insurance covers claims from third parties for injury or property damage arising from your roofing operations. For roofing contractors the critical requirement is that the policy is specifically endorsed to cover the heights you work at — a standard trades policy with a 2-storey or 10-metre height exclusion will decline a claim arising from work above that threshold. We access specialist roofing insurers who write roofing as a defined trade with appropriate height coverage built in, not as a standard exclusion that needs to be negotiated around. Most residential re-roofing and new roof work requires heights of 6 to 10 metres or more — confirm your current policy actually covers this before your next job.
Contract works insurance
Roofing project under constructionContract works insurance covers the roofing project under construction against storm, fire, theft, vandalism, and accidental damage before the completed work is handed over to the client. For roofing contractors this cover is particularly important because a half-completed roof is extremely vulnerable — a storm event before the work is finished can result in water damage to the entire property below, creating a liability exposure that extends well beyond the cost of the roof itself. Contract works also covers the roofing materials stored on site — tiles, sheets, and roofing materials waiting to be installed are a frequent target for theft from residential construction sites.
Tools and equipment insurance
Roofing tools, safety gear, and equipmentTools and equipment insurance covers theft and accidental damage to your roofing tools and equipment — nail guns, screw guns, cutting tools, safety harnesses, fall arrest equipment, scaffolding components, and ladders. Tool theft from roofing contractor vehicles is one of the most frequent trade insurance claims in Australia, with tools left in vans overnight particularly vulnerable. Safety equipment including harnesses and fall arrest systems should be specifically listed as high-value items to ensure full replacement value applies — both for insurance purposes and because damaged or stolen safety equipment cannot be used until replaced.
Workers compensation insurance
ACT, WA, and NT — mandatory for all employeesWorkers compensation insurance is a legal requirement for all roofing businesses employing paid workers. Roofing consistently records the highest workers compensation claim rates of any trade in Australia — falls from heights, manual handling of heavy roofing materials, and repetitive physical work all create a significant injury exposure for roofing employees. We arrange workers compensation for roofing businesses operating in ACT, WA, and NT. Each state runs its own workers compensation scheme and payroll must be declared under the correct roofing trade classification. See the state-by-state guide below for the specific scheme that applies in each jurisdiction we service.
Personal accident insurance
For sole operator roofers and directorsPersonal accident insurance pays a weekly benefit of up to 85% of your income if you cannot work due to an accidental injury — with waiting periods as short as one day. Workers compensation covers your employees. It does not cover you as the business owner, director, or sole operator roofer. Roofing is physically one of the most dangerous trades in Australia. A fall from a roof, a back injury from carrying tile loads, or a shoulder injury from overhead work can take a sole operator roofer off the job for months — with no income, no employer sick leave, and no WorkCover claim available. Personal accident insurance is the immediate safety net that responds from the first days of an injury, covering your mortgage, family expenses, and fixed costs while you recover.
Income protection insurance
Longer benefit periods, tax-deductibleIncome protection insurance replaces up to 70% of your pre-disability income if illness or serious injury stops you working, for benefit periods extending to age 65. It covers a broader range of conditions than personal accident — including serious illness such as cancer, cardiac events, and spinal conditions — and premiums are generally tax-deductible when held outside superannuation. The own occupation definition is critical for roofers: a policy with own occupation pays if you cannot perform roofing work specifically, not just if you cannot work at all. A roofer with a serious knee injury who could theoretically do administrative work would still receive the benefit under an own occupation policy. Most roofing business owners benefit from holding both personal accident and income protection together.
Commercial motor insurance
Utes, vans, and equipment trailersCommercial motor insurance covers your work ute, van, or equipment trailer used for roofing work. Personal vehicle insurance does not cover commercial use and a claim arising during a work journey may be declined if the vehicle is not correctly insured for business purposes. For roofing contractors towing roof tile trailers, scaffolding trailers, or material trailers, the trailer must be listed on the motor policy separately to ensure it is covered in the event of an accident or theft. A fleet policy covers all your business vehicles under one renewal date if you operate multiple vehicles.
Workers compensation for roofing businesses — ACT, WA, and NT
Workers compensation in Australia is a state-based scheme and each jurisdiction operates differently. We arrange workers compensation for roofing businesses in the three jurisdictions below. Each scheme has its own registration requirements, premium calculation method, and industry classification for roofing work.
Workers compensation in the ACT is managed through WorkSafe ACT via approved private insurers. All ACT employers including roofing contractors must hold current workers compensation insurance. Roofing is classified as a high-risk trade and premiums reflect the elevated injury rates associated with work at heights. Payroll must be declared under the roofing trade classification — not as general construction or labouring — for the policy to respond correctly to a claim from a roofing employee.
Workers compensation in Western Australia operates through WorkCover WA via a panel of approved insurers. WA roofing contractors must register with an approved insurer and declare wages annually. WA has specific provisions for working directors — a director can opt in to personal coverage under the 2023 Act if they perform hands-on roofing work and the company formally elects this coverage. Without the election, the director is not covered regardless of how much time they spend on the roof.
Workers compensation in the Northern Territory is managed through NT WorkSafe via approved insurers. All NT employers including roofing contractors must hold current workers compensation coverage. The NT operates a scheme with specific construction and roofing trade classifications that attract premium rates reflecting the physical nature of the work. Remote site work in the NT — where roofing contractors frequently work on regional projects — may attract additional loading on premiums due to the elevated risk of injury in remote locations with limited immediate medical access.
The income gap every roofing business owner needs to know about
Roofing is statistically one of the most physically dangerous trades in Australia. Falls from heights, manual handling of heavy materials, repetitive strain from tile laying and sheet metal work, and exposure to heat, sun, and weather conditions all create a genuine and frequent personal injury risk for the roofer on the tools. For sole operator roofers and working directors, this personal risk is uninsured unless they have specifically arranged their own cover.
Workers compensation covers your crew. It does not cover you.
If you are a sole operator roofer or a roofing company director who works on the roof, your workers compensation policy protects your employees if they are injured. It provides no protection for your own injury or illness — not for a fall, not for a back injury from carrying materials, not for a serious illness that takes you off the roof for months.
Personal accident insurance pays a weekly benefit from as early as day one of an accidental injury, covering your income while you recover. Income protection insurance covers longer periods of incapacity including serious illness, with benefit periods extending to age 65 and premiums that are generally tax-deductible outside superannuation.
Most working roofers and roofing directors benefit from holding both. Personal accident provides immediate cash flow from the first days of an injury. Income protection covers the longer-term scenario — the spinal injury, the cardiac event, the cancer diagnosis — where the recovery extends beyond what personal accident alone would cover.
How we have saved roofing businesses on insurance
Real outcomes for roofing clients — same cover, right insurer, right broker.
"Lauren, I've been with them for nearly a decade. They just keep hiking my rates."
A Brisbane roofing company owner called frustrated. His public liability premiums had been climbing every year with the same insurer — six-figure cover that other insurers could provide for significantly less. His previous broker had simply renewed the policy year after year without ever going back to the market.
Roofing is high-risk work. But high risk does not mean you accept whatever rate an insurer throws at you. It means you need a broker who knows which insurers understand roofing risk — and which ones are pricing it wrong.
We went to market properly — compiled his full risk profile, fleet size, work types, height work protocols, safety record, and claims history, and sent a full submission to multiple specialist insurers on our panel. Lauren personally reached out to underwriters she had worked with who had not seen his business before.
One insurer reviewed his safety systems and track record and saw him as a solid, well-managed risk — not just another roofing contractor to overcharge.
The best quote came in at $60,000 less per year than what he was paying. Same cover. Same protection. He had been overpaying for years without realising he had other options.
If your roofing premiums keep climbing at renewal, call 1300 109 778
A Western Australian roofing company came to Lauren with a significant challenge. Their workers compensation insurance renewal had been quoted in the seven-figure range — the result of a colourful claims history that had made their insurance particularly expensive.
This is the kind of case most brokers walk away from. A difficult claims history does not mean you are out of options — it means you need a broker who knows how to present your risk correctly and who has the insurer relationships to negotiate on your behalf.
Lauren conducted a thorough review of their claims history and existing policy — understanding not just the numbers but the context behind each claim. She then engaged in extensive negotiations with a panel of insurance companies, presenting the business's risk management improvements and current safety protocols alongside the historical claims data.
Alongside the workers comp negotiation, Lauren also reviewed their public liability insurance — a critical area for roofing companies given the high-risk nature of working at heights and the potential for serious third-party incidents. The combination of both reviews gave leverage across the whole program.
The negotiation secured a new workers compensation rate approximately $30,000 less than the renewal with their existing provider — plus improved public liability terms. Complex claims history? We can still help. Call 1300 109 778
Lauren Spice is the Director of Morgan Insurance Brokers and has been arranging specialist roofing and construction insurance for contractors across Australia since 2018. She works with roofing businesses ranging from sole operator roofers doing residential maintenance through to large commercial roofing companies with significant plant fleets and complex workers compensation histories.
The most important thing Lauren does for roofing clients is confirm that their public liability policy actually covers the heights they work at — not just assume it does. The height exclusion in standard trades policies is the most common and most costly gap in roofing insurance in Australia. Lauren reviews your current policy wording, confirms in writing what your policy covers, and replaces it with specialist roofing cover from an insurer who writes roofing as a defined trade if the current policy falls short.
For roofing businesses with difficult claims histories or seven-figure workers compensation premiums, Lauren's approach is to present the risk to the market properly — with a full submission covering risk management improvements, safety protocols, and the context behind the claims history — rather than simply accepting what the existing insurer quotes at renewal.
Roofing contractor insurance FAQs
Am I covered if I work above 2 storeys or 10 metres?
Not under a standard trades public liability policy. Most standard policies exclude external work above 2 storeys or 10 metres. For roofing contractors this exclusion removes cover for a significant proportion of everyday work — most residential re-roofing involves heights of 6 to 9 metres and commercial roofing regularly exceeds 10 metres. A specialist roofing public liability policy specifically endorsed for the heights you work at is required. Contact us and we will confirm what your current policy covers and replace it with specialist roofing cover if it falls short.
Does my insurance cover asbestos disturbance during roofing work?
Not under most standard policies. Asbestos liability — including claims arising from disturbing asbestos cement sheeting, super six roofing, or other legacy roofing materials during renovation or re-roofing work — is excluded from most standard public liability policies. If you disturb asbestos as part of any roofing job, this activity must be specifically disclosed to your insurer and covered by an appropriate asbestos disturbance endorsement. Failure to disclose asbestos activities can result in a declined claim even where the main body of the policy would otherwise have responded. Contact us before you take on any job involving legacy roofing materials.
What public liability limit does a roofer need?
The limit you need depends on the work you do and the contracts you work under. As a general guide for roofing contractors in Australia:
$5M may be sufficient for a sole operator doing residential maintenance work with no head contractor requirements. $10M is the most common requirement for residential re-roofing and new roof installation, and is required by most builder's subcontract agreements for residential construction. $20M is commonly required for commercial roofing contracts, government projects, and any work for tier 1 builders. When in doubt, $20M is the safer default — the premium difference between $10M and $20M is typically modest and it covers the widest range of contract requirements.
Does contract works insurance cover roofing materials stolen from site?
Yes — theft of materials from site is typically covered under contract works insurance. Roofing materials including tiles, sheets, battens, and flashings stored on site before or during installation are covered against theft under most contract works policies. Some policies apply sub-limits for theft and require the materials to be stored securely — for example, in a locked container rather than unsecured on a driveway. Confirm the theft sub-limit on your current policy against the value of materials you typically have on site, and check whether any secure storage conditions apply that could affect a claim.
Am I covered for hot works such as torch-on membrane and lead flashing?
Not under a standard roofing policy without a hot works endorsement. Hot works — the use of open flames, heat guns, torches, or other heat-producing equipment — is excluded from most standard public liability policies due to the elevated fire risk. Torch-on membrane roofing, lead flashing installation, and any roofing work involving heat sources requires either a specific hot works endorsement on your policy or a standalone hot works policy. If you carry out any hot works as part of your roofing business, disclose this when arranging your insurance so the policy is correctly structured to cover these activities.
What happens if I am injured on the roof — am I covered?
It depends on your business structure. If you are an employee of a roofing company, workers compensation covers your injury. If you are a sole operator or company director working on the roof yourself, workers compensation does not cover your own injury — regardless of how severe it is or how it occurred.
The covers that respond to your personal injury as a sole operator or director are personal accident insurance (paying a weekly benefit from as early as day one) and income protection insurance (covering longer periods of incapacity including serious illness). Your public liability policy covers injury to third parties — it does not cover your own injury at all. Contact Lauren to review your personal income protection position alongside your business insurance — this is the gap most working roofers do not discover until they need it.
How much does roofing contractor insurance cost?
Roofing insurance costs vary based on your annual turnover, the number of employees, the types of roofing work you do, and your claims history. Roofing attracts higher premiums than most other trades due to the working at heights risk classification. As a general guide:
Public liability at $10M for a sole operator roofer doing residential work typically starts from $1,500 to $3,500 per year. Commercial roofing and work at greater heights attracts higher premiums. Contract works cover is typically priced as a percentage of contract value. Workers compensation for roofing employees is calculated on declared wages at the roofing trade classification rate, which is among the highest in the construction sector.
If your premiums seem high, the most effective approach is not to simply renew with your existing insurer but to have a specialist broker go to market across the full specialist roofing insurer panel. The $60,000 Brisbane case study above shows what a proper market review can deliver even for roofing businesses that have been with the same insurer for years.
Have a roofing insurance question or want a policy reviewed? We review existing policies and go to market at no cost.
Get a free quoteReady to get the right cover for your roofing business?
Whether you are a sole operator roofer needing your first specialist policy or a commercial roofing company reviewing a seven-figure workers compensation renewal, we compare specialist roofing insurers to find the right cover for the work you actually do — at heights your policy actually covers.
