Why Your Roofing Contractor's Insurance Matters More Than Their Price

The Hidden Risk Most Homeowners Don't Consider

When you hire a roofing contractor, you're not just buying materials and labor. You're placing a bet on whether that contractor can protect you from liability. Most homeowners focus on the estimate. They should be asking: What happens when something goes wrong?

The Three Insurance Policies Every Roofing Contractor Must Carry

1. General Liability Insurance

Covers property damage and bodily injury caused by the contractor's work. Minimum coverage should be $1 million per occurrence, $2 million aggregate. Premium contractors carry $5 million or more.

2. Workers' Compensation Insurance

Covers medical bills and lost wages when workers are injured on your property. If an uninsured worker falls off your roof, they can sue YOU. In Texas, homeowners have been held liable for six-figure medical bills when uninsured roofers were injured.

3. Commercial Auto Insurance

Covers damage caused by contractor vehicles on your property. Many contractors use personal vehicles without commercial coverage, which excludes work-related accidents.

The JRH Construction Insurance Standard

At JRH Construction, we maintain: General Liability ($5 million per occurrence, $10 million aggregate), Workers' Compensation (Full coverage for all employees and subcontractors), Commercial Auto ($1 million), and Umbrella Policy ($5 million excess liability). We provide Certificates of Insurance on request and add you as additional insured at no charge.

How to Verify a Contractor's Insurance

Step 1: Request the Certificate of Insurance. Step 2: Call the insurance company to verify it's active. Step 3: Request Additional Insured status. Step 4: Document everything including photos of contractor vehicles.

The Bottom Line

The difference between a $10,000 roof and a $14,000 roof isn't just materials and labor. It's verified insurance, workers' compensation, accountability, and a company that will still exist if you call in 5 years. Contact JRH Construction for insurance documentation upfront.