What are the Drawbacks of Hiring a Highly Recommended Roofing Contractor Who Does Not Have Liability or Worker’s Comp Insurance?

A potential customer called the office and asked me what the drawbacks are of hiring a highly recommended roofing contractor, who does not have liability or worker’s comp insurance coverage.  Well let me explain. 

First, if you choose to hire a worker’s comp exempt roofing contractor (one who is not required to provide insurance due to the small size of his company) your homeowner’s policy becomes this roofing contractor’s insurance coverage!  The same holds true for a roofing contractor who does not carry worker’s comp insurance on his employees (i.e., the roofing contractor uses day laborers or subcontracts the work out to someone else). You should always ask for, and receive, current insurance certificates, emailed or mailed to you directly from the roofing contractor’s insurance carrier prior to signing a contract for any major roofing work to be done on your home or business.   

Second, never accept a copy of an insurance certificate directly from the roofing contractor.  Unfortunately, the certificate could have been altered by the roofing contractor and re-copied before it was given to you.  A reputable roofing contractor should be happy to have his insurance carrier provide you with proof of insurance promptly when requested. 

Third, be certain that the crew working on your home is not “moonlighting” and off of the clock.  If they are, they will not be covered by worker’s comp insurance.  A quick call to the office can save you a lot of headaches. 

Finally, in order to renew our state certified roofing contractor’s license, as well as local and county license, we must provide proof of current liability insurance.  Do you really want to have an unlicensed and uninsured roofing contractor working on your most important investment, your home or business?  It may cost you a little bit more to hire a fully insured roofing contractor, but liability and worker’s comp insurance will protect your most important and costly investment, your home or business, from an unforeseen accident or event.  

Highly recommended or not, you should only choose a licensed and insured roofing contractor.