How to Check a Roofer Is Properly Insured

Why Insurance Matters Before a Roofer Sets Foot on Your Roof

Hiring an uninsured roofer is one of the most costly mistakes a homeowner can make. If a tradesperson falls from your roof, damages your property or causes a leak that ruins a neighbour's extension, you could be held financially responsible if they are not properly covered. In Newmarket and the surrounding villages, where older terraced properties and semi-detached houses sit close together, the risk of third-party damage during roofing work is very real.

This is not scaremongering. It happens regularly across Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. A roofer without public liability insurance leaves you exposed, and your own home insurance may not cover damage caused by a contractor you hired.

The Two Types of Insurance Every Roofer Should Hold

There are two policies you should ask about before any work begins.

• Public liability insurance - this covers injury to third parties and damage to property that occurs as a result of the roofer's work. For domestic roofing jobs, cover of at least £1 million is standard, though many professional contractors carry £2 million or more.
• Employers' liability insurance - if a roofer brings any staff or subcontractors onto your property, they are legally required under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 to hold this cover. The minimum legal level is £5 million. A sole trader working entirely alone is exempt, but the moment a second person is involved, this cover must be in place.

Some roofers also carry contract works insurance, which protects the materials and partially completed work on site if they are damaged by fire, theft or storm. With Newmarket's exposed position on the edge of the fens and the unpredictable weather that rolls in from the east, this kind of cover is more relevant than many homeowners realise.

How to Actually Verify a Roofer's Insurance

Asking a roofer "are you insured?" and taking their word for it is not enough. Here is how to check properly.

• Ask for the certificate, not just a verbal confirmation. A genuine insurance certificate will show the insurer's name, the policy number, the level of cover and the expiry date. Any legitimate contractor will hand this over without hesitation.
• Check the expiry date. Policies renew annually. A certificate that expired six months ago is worthless. Make sure the cover is valid for the full duration of your project.
• Call the insurer directly if you are unsure. The certificate will carry the insurer's contact details. A quick phone call to confirm the policy is live takes two minutes and gives you genuine peace of mind.
• Check whether trade body membership is current. The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) requires member companies to hold appropriate insurance. Membership is not a substitute for checking the certificate yourself, but it adds a layer of accountability.

If a roofer refuses to provide proof of insurance or becomes evasive when you ask, walk away. No legitimate contractor will object to a straightforward insurance check.

Red Flags to Watch For When Getting Quotes

Some warning signs are obvious, others less so. Be cautious if a roofer asks to be paid entirely in cash upfront, provides a quote with no written breakdown, or cannot give you a fixed business address. These are not necessarily signs of dishonesty, but they do make it harder to pursue a claim if something goes wrong.

Be particularly careful with door-to-door roofers who appear after a spell of bad weather and offer to fix storm damage cheaply. Newmarket and the villages around Mildenhall and Ely see their share of opportunists following windy periods. Always take time to verify who you are dealing with before agreeing to anything.

Whether you need roof repairs after winter weather, a full roof replacement on an older property, or lead work around a chimney or bay, the contractor you choose should be able to demonstrate their insurance cover clearly and quickly.

What to Do If a Roofer Causes Damage Without Insurance

If you have already hired someone and damage occurs, your first step is to contact your home insurer and explain the situation. Depending on your policy, you may have some cover, though insurers may argue the loss was avoidable. Recovery through the courts is possible but slow and not guaranteed if the contractor has no assets.

The honest answer is that prevention is far easier than recovery. Spending five minutes checking a certificate before work starts is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself.

At Newmarket Roofers, we carry full public liability and employers' liability insurance and are happy to provide our certificate before any job begins. If you would like a straightforward, no-pressure survey and quote, get in touch and we will arrange a free roof inspection at a time that suits you.

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