You need insurance before your first job if the client asks for it.

Some clients ask to see your insurance before they let you start work. If you do not have it, you might lose the job. So yes, you might need insurance before your first paid job.

Workers' compensation insurance is the type you need. It proves you have a policy in place for work-related injuries. A ghost policy is enough if you do not have any employees. It shows the client you are covered, but it does not cover you, the owner, if you get hurt. If you want coverage for yourself, you can choose to add it during your quote — this is called an owner inclusion election and it costs more.

To get your ghost policy, you need to get a quote. You can get your quote in minutes.

Here's what you need to do before your first job starts.

  1. Get a quote for your workers' comp policy. You will need to tell the insurance company where you live and what kind of work you do. Roofing is a physical job, so the price will depend on your location and the type of roofing you do (for example, shingle, tile, metal, etc.).
  2. Review the quote and choose your options. You can choose to exclude yourself from the policy (this is the default) or include yourself for more coverage. If you choose to include yourself, the price will be higher. This is called an owner inclusion election.
  3. Buy the policy. If you agree with the price and the options, you can buy the policy right then. It will give you the policy documents and a certificate of insurance you can show to clients.
  4. Save your documents and show them when needed. Keep your certificate and policy documents in a safe place. Some clients will ask for a copy before you begin work.

What happens if a client asks for insurance on the first day?

If a client asks to see your insurance before your first job starts, you need to have it ready. If you do not have it, they might not let you work for them. This means you could lose the job.

That is why it is smart to get your workers' comp insurance before you start getting work. Once you have a ghost policy, you can show your certificate to clients. It proves you have insurance, even if you do not have employees.

If you do not have insurance and you get hurt, you might have to pay for your own medical bills. That is why many clients ask for proof before letting a roofer start work.

Why is a ghost policy enough for most first jobs?

A ghost policy is a workers' comp policy that works for a business with no employees. It is enough if you are the only person working. It shows a client that you are covered for work injuries. But it does not cover you, the owner, if you get hurt. If you want coverage for yourself, you can choose to add it during your quote — this is called an owner inclusion election and it costs more.

Most clients just want proof that you have insurance. A ghost policy gives them that. It does not matter if you are the only person working. Just make sure to tell the client if you are not covered as the owner, or if you are.

What if you get hurt on the first job?

If you get hurt on the first job, your insurance will help only if you are covered as part of the policy. The default is that you are not covered — this is called owner exclusion. If you want to be covered, you must choose an owner inclusion election when you get your quote. This choice costs more, but it means the insurance will help if you get hurt.

If you do not choose owner inclusion and you get hurt, you might have to pay for your own medical bills. That is why it is important to understand your options when you get your quote. You can always choose to include yourself later, but it will cost more.

How to make sure you are ready for the first job.

Here are a few things you can do to be ready for your first job: