How to Check a Roofer Is Properly Insured

Why Insurance Matters More Than You Might Think

Hiring a roofer without proper insurance is one of the most common and costly mistakes Norwich homeowners make. If a tradesperson falls from a ladder on your property, or if a tile is dislodged during works and breaks a neighbour's conservatory roof, you could end up financially liable - not them. A roofer's insurance isn't a box-ticking exercise; it's the legal and financial protection that stands between a straightforward repair and a very expensive dispute.

Roofing is classified as high-risk work by UK insurers, which means the stakes are higher than with most other trades. Whether you're having roof repairs carried out on a Victorian terrace in Earlham or a full roof replacement on a detached house in Thorpe St Andrew, the same rules apply: always verify insurance before work starts.

The Two Policies Every Roofer Should Hold

There are two core types of insurance you should ask any roofer to confirm before they set foot on your roof.

• Public liability insurance - This covers damage to your property or injury to third parties caused by the roofer's work. For roofing, most reputable contractors carry at least £1 million of cover, with many holding £2 million or more. If a roofer cannot tell you their public liability limit, that's a red flag.
• Employers' liability insurance - If the roofer brings a labourer or subcontractor onto your job, UK law requires them to hold employers' liability cover of at least £5 million. This is a legal requirement under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. A sole trader working entirely alone is exempt, but anyone with workers on site is not.

Some roofers also carry contract works insurance, which covers damage to the work itself while it's in progress - useful on larger jobs such as full new roof installations or chimney rebuilds. It's worth asking about, though it isn't a legal requirement.

How to Actually Verify a Roofer's Insurance

Don't accept a verbal assurance. Any legitimate roofer will have a certificate of insurance they can share with you - either a physical copy or a PDF sent by email. The certificate should clearly state the policyholder's name, the insurer's name, the type of cover, the level of cover, and the policy expiry date.

Check all of these details carefully:

• The name on the policy matches the name or trading name of the company quoting for your job
• The policy is current - not expired
• The cover level is appropriate for your project (a major re-roof warrants higher liability cover than a small patch repair)
• The work you're having done falls within the scope of the policy - some roofers' policies exclude certain materials or roof types

If you're in any doubt, you can contact the insurer directly to confirm the policy is active. A reputable insurer will confirm this over the phone. The roofer's certificate will list the insurer's details.

Trade Body Membership as a Supporting Check

Checking insurance is the essential step, but trade body membership can add a useful layer of reassurance. The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) requires members to hold adequate public liability insurance as a condition of membership, so membership acts as an indirect cross-check.

However, membership alone does not replace verifying the actual certificate. A roofer could have lapsed cover while still appearing on a directory, so always ask for the certificate directly rather than relying solely on a logo on a website or van.

In Norfolk, as across the rest of the UK, roofers working on listed buildings or in conservation areas may also need to demonstrate that their insurer is aware of the nature of the work. Norwich has a significant number of older properties - Georgian townhouses in the city centre, flint-faced cottages out towards villages like Wymondham and Hethersett - where specialist materials and methods are involved. Confirm that any specialist work is explicitly covered within the policy scope.

Questions Worth Asking Before You Sign Anything

Before agreeing to any roofing work, ask the contractor these questions directly:

• Can you send me a copy of your public liability insurance certificate?
• Do you have employers' liability cover if you're bringing any workers or subcontractors?
• What is the level of your public liability cover?
• Does your policy cover the specific materials or roof type on my property?

A confident, legitimate roofer will answer all of these without hesitation. Vague answers, delays, or excuses about the paperwork being at home are warning signs worth taking seriously. The East Anglian climate - with its easterly winds off the North Sea, driving rain, and sharp frosts - means roofwork here can be demanding. You want a contractor who is properly set up to handle your job legally and safely.

Get a Quote From an Insured Local Roofer

We're a Norwich-based roofing team working across the city and surrounding Norfolk villages. If you'd like a straight answer on insurance or a free survey of your roof, get in touch and we'll arrange a no-obligation visit. We're happy to share our insurance documentation before any work is agreed.

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