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Working up on roofs involves an element of risk both for yourself and anyone who happens to be below you.
That’s why getting your business insurance right is vital for roofing contractors.
We can help you to arrange quotes and advice on your insurance, and in this guide we’ll run through some of the important things to know.
Your risks
As with any tradesperson there are a variety of risks involved in being a roofer, but there are two in particular which can have major consequences:
- Falling from a roof and suffering a major injury yourself
- Losing control of an object that falls from a roof and injures someone below
The first risk has obvious consequences for yourself simply in terms of the pain suffered, but also in terms of the financial impact upon you and your family if you are left unable to work.
The second risk can have a major financial impact on you if you are found to be responsible for someone’s injuries – or even death – and compensation is sought from you.
Thankfully both of these risks can be covered by insurance.
We’ll now take a look at the types of insurance which will protect you from the risks listed above as well as a range of other risks.
Causing injury or property damage to others
If your work activities result in property damage or personal injury to another person, and you are found to be responsible, you could find yourself liable for considerable sums of money.
For a roofing contractor, a typical claim could involve losing control of a piece of equipment or materials that drop from the roof onto people or objects below.
If something was to drop onto a car for example, you would be responsible for the costs of repairing the vehicle.
If something was to drop onto a person’s head, leaving them with a serious injury, you would be responsible for paying them compensation which can stretch into the hundreds of thousands.
Both of these events can be covered under a public liability insurance policy.
Public liability is the most common form of insurance for roofing contractors, and the cost is quite low considering the protection it provides.
To find out how much the cover will cost you please complete our public liability online quote form or call our office on 1300 542 245.
Suffering an injury yourself
Most safety conscious roofers reduce their risk of personal injury by utilising the correct safety equipment, but there are still plenty around who don’t.
Even for those who do use a harness, accidents can still happen which result in serious injuries and even death.
If you were to fall whilst on a roof and suffer an injury which left you unable to work for a period of time, how would you manage to pay your bills and look after your family?
Income protection is the answer. This form of insurance can replace a large portion of your income for a period of time whilst you are unable to work due to injury or illness.
Most tradesmen are happy with basic income protection, but as a roofer you potentially have a higher chance of suffering a career ending injury due to the heights you work at.
For this reason TPD insurance is another form of cover worth considering.
TPD stands for total and permanent disability, and the insurance is designed to pay you a lump sum in the event that you suffer an injury which leaves you unlikely to return to work ever again.
Both income protection and TPD insurance can be bundled into a single policy to keep your costs down.
Other forms of insurance
There are a few other forms of cover worth looking at, with the most common of these for roofing contractors being general property insurance – also known as tool insurance.
Your tools and safety gear aren’t cheap to replace, so it’s worth insuring them against risks such as theft, fire damage or damage caused in a vehicle collision.
More information
We recommend that roofers obtain their insurance via an insurance broker who specialises in the trades and building industry.
Many insurance policies have height limits when it comes to working on roofs, so it pays to deal with someone who is familiar with the policies and can find the right one to suit your business.
We can put you in touch with a suitable broker, and all you need to do is complete our online quote request or call our office on 1300 542 245.
Working up on roofs is risky business, so make sure you have the right insurance in place to protect you when things go wrong.