A roofing crew is due to start a commercial roof replacement on Monday. On Friday, the general contractor demands proof of liability insurance and an additional insured endorsement. The company is insured, but its paperwork is not ready.
A certificate of insurance for roofers, or COI, shows which insurance policies a roofing business has in place on the date it’s issued. Clients can use it to check coverage details, but the certificate itself doesn’t provide insurance or change policy terms. Here’s what you need to know about getting, checking, and submitting one.
What Is a Certificate of Insurance for Roofers?
A roofing certificate of insurance is a document issued by an insurer or authorized insurance representative that lists details about the roofer’s insurance. The widely used ACORD 25 certificate typically shows the insured business, insurer, policy numbers, coverage types, limits, and policy dates.
A homeowner might want a COI before a roof repair, and a general contractor might require one before allowing a subcontractor onto a commercial site. The commercial contract may require additional policy documents.
A COI shows your insurance details, but it doesn’t guarantee that a claim will be covered. The Texas Department of Insurance makes it clear that a certificate can’t add benefits or terms that aren’t part of the actual policy.
When Do Roofing Contractors Need a COI?
Roofers may need a COI to bid on commercial projects, sign subcontracts, register as vendors, or enter a jobsite. Some homeowners also want proof of insurance before hiring a roofer.
For a shopping center roofing project, the property manager may ask for a COI listing the business as certificate holder, along with endorsements confirming any additional insured protection required by the subcontract. A homeowner replacing damaged shingles may simply want proof of current liability insurance.
Licensing rules, workers’ compensation obligations, and contract terms differ across jobs and states. Check the applicable roofing insurance requirements before signing.
What Information Appears on a Roofing COI?
The certificate organizes details on one page. Compare these fields with the client’s request before forwarding it.
| COI Field | What a Roofer Should Check |
| Named insured | The business name matches the insured roofing entity and its contract. |
| Producer and insurer | The issuing agency and companies providing the listed policies are identified. |
| Policy numbers | Each listed coverage has the correct policy number. |
| Effective and expiration dates | The dates reflect the reported policy period, including any renewal needed during the project. |
| Coverage and limits | Required liability, auto, workers’ compensation, or umbrella policies and limits are shown when applicable. |
| Certificate holder | The customer’s or general contractor’s legal name and address are correct. |
| Description of operations | The job or location is identified when requested, without claiming coverage the policy does not provide. |
An ACORD 25 certificate is mainly a liability insurance form. Specialized property coverage, such as insurance for transported roofing equipment, may require different evidence of insurance. Ask the party requesting proof which documents it accepts.
Which Insurance Policies Might a Roofing COI List?
A COI can display several coverage types, but it only reflects policies the business actually holds. Roofers should not assume one general liability policy meets every job requirement.
General Liability Insurance
Roofing contractor insurance commonly includes commercial general liability coverage for certain third-party injury or property damage claims, subject to policy terms. If a falling tool damages a customer’s parked car, the roofer’s general liability policy may respond, depending on the facts and exclusions.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Workers’ compensation generally addresses covered employee work injuries and occupational illnesses under state law. If an employee falls while removing old roofing, workers’ compensation may apply rather than general liability. Some states require separate proof for specific purposes: the New York Workers’ Compensation Board identifies Form C-105.2 for certain government permits, licenses, or contracts.
Commercial Auto and Excess Liability
A commercial auto policy may address covered accidents involving company vehicles, such as a roofing truck transporting materials. An umbrella or excess liability policy may be needed when a job contract calls for limits above the underlying policies; whether it satisfies a requirement depends on its wording.
Tools and equipment coverage or builder’s risk may also be relevant to a roofing project, but those are different insurance arrangements. They are not included simply because the COI shows general liability.
How to Get a Certificate of Insurance for Roofing Work
If you have the required policies, ask your insurance agent or insurer for a certificate. Otherwise, arrange coverage first.
Step 1. Collect the Client’s Insurance Requirements
Ask for the insurance section of the roofing contract, not just a message saying “send your COI.” It may specify limits, additional insured terms, cancellation provisions, and endorsements.
Have the legal name and mailing address of the certificate holder, project name or address, requested delivery method, and deadline available. Exact wording can prevent repeated corrections.
Step 2. Confirm Your Roofing Policy Details
Check that the business name on your policy matches the entity signing the contract. Tell your agent whether the project involves steep slopes, torch-applied membranes, work at substantial heights, open-roof exposure, or subcontracted crews so any relevant policy restrictions can be reviewed.
If the contract requires protection you have not purchased, a certificate cannot supply it. Your agent may need to discuss an endorsement, different limits, or separate coverage with the insurer before the request can be completed.
Step 3. Request the Certificate and Any Endorsements
Send your agent the project details and ask who will issue the COI and deliver it to the client. ACI policyholders can use our certificate request form to submit their information and required wording for review.
A basic certificate request may be simpler than one that needs revised coverage or contract-specific endorsements. Unusual requests may require extra review time.
Step 4. Check the Finished Certificate Before Sending It
Compare the issued document with the contract’s insurance schedule and verify the insured name, dates, limits, and certificate holder. If additional insured status or a waiver of subrogation is required, ask for the relevant policy language or endorsement instead of relying on a note alone.
Send the final document through the requested email address or vendor portal, and save a copy with your project records. Recheck it if the policy renews, your coverage changes, or the project continues beyond the listed expiration date.
Certificate Holder vs. Additional Insured for Roofers
A certificate holder is the person or organization receiving insurance information. An additional insured is a party granted protection under a policy’s additional insured provisions or endorsement, within the scope of that wording.
For example, a general contractor hiring a roofing crew may ask to be listed in both capacities. Printing the contractor’s name in the certificate holder box does not grant additional insured protection. Texas insurance guidance says an additional insured entry must reflect the actual policy endorsement or provisions, not merely a customer’s request.
The contract may require additional insured protection during the roofing work and for certain claims that arise after the job is finished. Check the policy and endorsements to see whether they meet these requirements. The COI alone won’t confirm this.
What a Roofing COI Does Not Guarantee
A COI can’t override policy exclusions or provide coverage for work the policy doesn’t include. For instance, if your crew uses torch-applied roofing materials or leaves part of a roof exposed to rain, certain policy restrictions or exclusions could affect a related claim.
Installation mistakes are another area worth checking. The cost of fixing faulty roofing work may be treated differently from damage that the mistake causes to other property. Completed operations coverage also depends on the policy terms, so ask your agent to review the roofing methods you use and the contracts you sign.
Having a COI doesn’t excuse a roofing contractor from following jobsite safety rules. OSHA’s roofing guidance covers fall protection in residential construction, and employers must still meet their safety responsibilities.
Common Roofing COI Problems and How to Fix Them
Certificate delays often arise from document mismatches rather than a lack of insurance. Check these issues before sending the certificate.
| Problem | What to Do |
| Wrong business name | Ask the issuer to verify the named insured against the contracting entity. |
| Missing holder details | Supply the recipient’s exact legal name, address, and requested project reference. |
| Policy nearing expiration | Coordinate a renewal and updated evidence of insurance when needed. |
| Coverage limits below the contract | Ask whether higher limits or excess coverage are available and appropriate. |
| Additional insured wording without support | Confirm the policy provision or obtain the requested endorsement. |
| Roofing activity outside policy terms | Discuss the actual work with the agent before accepting the job. |
A corrected certificate can address clerical mistakes, but it cannot cure a missing policy or change coverage on its own. If the contract asks for something the insurer cannot provide, resolve that issue with the customer before work starts.
How to Review a Roofing Subcontractor’s COI
If your company hires a separate tear-off crew or sheet metal subcontractor, request that business’s certificate before it starts work. Check the insured name, relevant policy types, policy dates, and the limits your subcontract requires, then verify any requested endorsements.
Contact the issuer through verified contact details to check authenticity or current status. File certificates and endorsements by project and track renewal dates, since a document issued last month does not guarantee a policy remains active today.
Roofing Certificate of Insurance FAQs
Can a Homeowner Ask a Roofer for a Certificate of Insurance?
Yes. A homeowner can request proof of insurance before hiring a roofer, especially for a full roof replacement where workers, ladders, and materials will be on the property. The homeowner should read the business name and dates carefully rather than treating the certificate as a guarantee that any damage will be covered.
Do Roofers Need a Different COI for Every Job?
One policy may support certificates for several customers, but each requester may need its own certificate holder information or project details. A commercial site may also require endorsements that a residential repair customer never asks for.
How Much Does a Roofing Certificate of Insurance Cost?
There is no single fee that applies to every certificate request. Ask your insurer or agent whether a routine certificate is included in its service and whether adding endorsements, increasing limits, or buying new coverage will involve charges.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Roofing COI?
A straightforward request can be processed faster when your policy is active and the holder details are complete. Requests involving new endorsements or coverage changes can take longer, so submit the contract’s insurance requirements before the job’s start date.
Get Help With Your Roofing Insurance Certificate
Whether you need proof of an existing policy or insurance for an upcoming roofing project, ACI works with roofing contractors on coverage and certificate requests. If you are arranging coverage, request a quote and share your job requirements so our team can help you identify the policies and documentation you need.