Why a roofer’s insurance matters
Roofing work is one of the higher-risk trades on a Kiwi home. It involves ladders, scaffolding, work at height, tools, weather exposure, and often work on older homes where hidden issues can appear once the job starts. If something goes wrong, the financial fallout can be significant.
A properly insured roofer helps protect you from:
- Damage to your property during the job - Injury to visitors, neighbours, or passers-by - Cost blowouts if work has to be redone after an accident - Delays caused by incidents on site - Disputes over who pays for a loss
Insurance is not a guarantee of good workmanship, but it is a strong sign that the roofer runs a professional business. Just as importantly, it gives you a path to compensation if an accident happens.
The main types of insurance a roofer should carry
Not every roofer will have exactly the same insurance package, but these are the core covers worth asking about in New Zealand.
| Insurance type | What it covers | Why it matters to you | |---|---|---| | Public liability insurance | Injury to other people and damage to property caused by the roofer’s work | Helps pay if a tile falls and breaks a skylight, or a ladder damages a neighbour’s car | | Contract works insurance | Damage to the roofing project while it is in progress | Protects against storm damage, fire, theft, vandalism, or accidental damage before completion | | Tool and equipment insurance | Theft, loss, or damage to the roofer’s tools and gear | Reduces delays if essential equipment is stolen from a site or vehicle | | Employers’ liability insurance | Claims by employees injured at work where ACC may not fully cover the situation | Relevant if the roofer has staff or subcontractors engaged in a way that creates employer obligations | | Vehicle insurance | Damage involving work vehicles | Important if the roofer is transporting materials, ladders, or scaffolding | | Professional indemnity insurance | Advice or design errors where the roofer provides professional input | More relevant if they are specifying systems, drawings, or technical solutions |
Public liability: the big one to check
For homeowners, public liability insurance is usually the most important cover to ask about.
This insurance is designed to protect against third-party claims for:
- Accidental damage to your home - Damage to neighbouring property - Injury to someone who is not the roofer or their direct employee - Some legal costs connected to a claim
Examples where public liability may matter include:
- A roofing sheet slips off a roof and cracks a car windscreen in the driveway - A subcontractor drops a tool and damages a glasshouse - Water ingress caused by an uncovered roof section damages interior ceilings during a sudden rainstorm - Debris from the job injures a visitor or passer-by
In New Zealand, many professional tradies carry public liability insurance of at least $1 million to $5 million, though higher limits are common on larger commercial jobs. For a standard residential re-roof, the right amount depends on the size and risk of the project. The key is not just whether they have cover, but whether the limit is reasonable for your property and the job.
Contract works insurance and why homeowners often overlook it
Contract works insurance covers the project itself while the work is underway. It is different from public liability because it focuses on damage to the work in progress rather than damage to other people’s property.
This cover can be especially useful if:
- Your roof is partially stripped and a storm hits before it is sealed up - Materials are stolen from the site - There is fire, vandalism, or accidental damage during construction - Temporary weather protection fails
Some homeowners assume their own home insurance will automatically cover works in progress. Sometimes it may help, but not always, and there can be exclusions or notification requirements. If you are doing a substantial reroof or structural repair, ask both your roofer and your insurer how the job is covered. It is better to sort this out before the first tile comes off.
Does the roofer’s insurance replace your home insurance? No
A roofer’s insurance is there to cover the tradie’s liabilities and, in some cases, the work itself. It does not replace your own insurance.
You should still:
- Check that your house and contents insurance remain current - Tell your insurer if you are doing major roofing work, especially if the roof will be exposed or the job will take more than a day or two - Ask whether your policy has exclusions for unoccupied homes, unfinished work, or weather-related damage during renovations - Confirm whether the roofer’s contract works cover is primary or if your policy may still be involved
For older homes, or homes in high-wind and high-rain areas, the risk of water damage during roofing work is real. New Zealand weather can change quickly, especially in spring and autumn. That makes clear insurance arrangements even more important.
What NZ homeowners should check before hiring
Before you accept a quote, ask for the roofer’s insurance details in writing. A professional contractor should not be offended by the question.
Ask for:
- The insurer’s name - The type of cover held - The policy number - The cover limit - The expiry date - Whether subcontractors are covered under the policy - Whether the policy applies to residential roofing work of your type
It is also reasonable to ask for a certificate of currency or similar proof. This is a normal request, especially for larger jobs or where the work involves access over neighbours’ property, scaffolding, or significant weather exposure.
A good roofer will be able to provide this quickly. If they are vague, defensive, or unwilling to confirm their cover, treat that as a warning sign.
How to confirm the cover is real
A certificate of currency is helpful, but it is still worth checking a few things yourself.
1. **Read the date and policy type** - Make sure the insurance is current and not expired. - Check that the policy actually covers the kind of work being quoted.
2. **Match the name on the policy** - The insured party should match the business name, not just a brand or trading style. - If the job is being done by a subcontractor, confirm who is actually responsible.
3. **Check the limit of indemnity** - Higher-risk jobs may warrant more than a basic policy limit. - Ask whether the limit applies per claim or in the aggregate.
4. **Confirm whether subcontractors are covered** - Some roofing businesses use subcontract labour. - If a subcontractor causes damage, you want to know how the claim would be handled.
5. **Ask your own insurer if needed** - For major reroofing or structural work, a quick call to your home insurer can clarify whether you need to notify them.
If anything sounds off, don’t rely on verbal reassurance alone. Get the cover details in writing before work starts.
Licensing, consent and insurance are not the same thing
It is easy to assume that insurance and regulatory compliance are interchangeable. They are not.
For roofing-related jobs in New Zealand:
- **Building work may require a building consent** from the local council, depending on the scope and whether the work is exempt. - **Restricted building work** under the Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) regime can apply to certain residential building work, especially where the work affects the building envelope or structure. - **Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying** are restricted work regulated by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). - **Electrical work** is regulated by the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB).
A roofer may be responsible for roofing materials and weatherproofing, but if the job includes flashing around chimneys, skylights, solar panel penetrations, plumbing vents, gas flues, or electrical cabling, other licensed trades may need to be involved.
Insurance does not make unlicensed work acceptable, and a licence does not replace insurance. You need both: the right credentials and the right cover.
What can happen if the roofer is not insured
Hiring an uninsured roofer can become expensive very quickly.
Possible problems include:
- You may have to pay to fix accidental damage yourself while arguing about liability - If a worker is injured and there is a dispute, the claim process can become messy and slow - Your insurer may ask tough questions if an uninsured contractor worsens damage to your property - If the contractor disappears or refuses to return, recovering money can be difficult - You may end up in a dispute over incomplete or defective work with limited practical recourse
Even if a roofer seems cheaper upfront, the lack of insurance can wipe out any saving if something goes wrong. On roofing jobs, the risk of weather damage alone makes cover worth checking carefully.
Other signs of a professional roofer
Insurance is one part of the picture. Before choosing a roofer, look for other signs they take the job seriously:
- Written quotes that clearly set out labour, materials, exclusions, and timeframes - References or recent local work you can inspect - A clear process for weather delays and site protection - A written contract for larger jobs - Evidence of fall protection and safe working practices - Registration or membership of recognised industry bodies, where relevant
It is sensible to get at least three written quotes, especially for reroofing. Compare more than price: look at scope, materials, warranty terms, timeframe, and insurance.
Practical questions to ask before you sign
Use these questions when you are comparing roofers:
- What insurance do you carry for roofing work? - Can you send me a current certificate of currency? - What is the liability limit? - Does the policy cover subcontractors? - Do you hold contract works insurance for jobs in progress? - Will you notify me if work needs to stop because of weather? - Do I need to tell my home insurer about this job? - Are any parts of the job likely to need a building consent or other licensed trades?
These questions are straightforward, and the answers should be too. If a roofer can’t explain their insurance and compliance clearly, that is a sign to keep looking.
Bottom line for NZ homeowners
Yes, your roofer should be insured. At a minimum, look for public liability insurance, and for larger or more exposed jobs, ask about contract works cover as well. Make sure the paperwork is current, the insured name matches the business, and the cover is appropriate for residential roofing in New Zealand.
Just as important, confirm whether the job may trigger building consent requirements or involve other regulated trades. Insurance protects against financial loss, but it does not replace proper licensing, safe practice, or a clear written quote.
If you take a few minutes to check cover before the first ladder goes up, you can reduce the chance of expensive surprises later.