What to Keep on File for Your Roofing Business
If someone asks for proof you have insurance, you need to show a certificate. This certificate proves your business has workers' compensation coverage. But your policy itself needs to match what you do and who you cover.
- Keep a copy of your policy documents. These show the rules of your coverage and who is included.
- Save the latest certificate of insurance. This is what you hand to the person who asked for proof. It shows the limits, the carrier, and the dates.
- Write down the type of work you do, so you can match it to your class code. Your quote will confirm the right code for your state. Class codes set the price but not the coverage itself.
- Keep a list of any changes you've made to your policy, like if you added owner coverage or included a new person. This helps you remember what you told the insurance company.
- Store a copy of the policy number and the dates it is active. This helps when you need to send a certificate or talk to someone about your coverage.
When to Check and Update Your Policy
As a roofer, your work and your business can change. Your insurance needs to match that work.
- Every time you get a new job, check if the work you're doing matches what you told the insurer. If you start doing different work, like installing solar panels instead of shingles, you need to update your policy. Your class code might change, and that affects your price.
- When you get a new certificate request, make sure the name and address on the certificate match the person asking. If not, you need to update the certificate. The person who asked for it needs to see their name and details on the certificate.
- At the end of each renewal period, look at your policy again. Check if you still need owner coverage or if your work has changed. Your quote will give you the right price based on the work you do. If your state allows it, you can change your coverage during renewal.
- If you add a new tool, like a nail gun or a lift, make sure your policy still covers you for the kind of work you're doing. The insurance company needs to know what tools you use.
When Hiring Changes Everything
If you hire your first helper, your insurance needs to change too. A one-person business with no employees can get a ghost policy. But once you hire someone, you need to make sure that person is covered by your workers' comp policy.
- If you hire someone, you must update your policy to include them. Your state decides what is required for hiring workers. Some states will not allow a ghost policy once you have employees.
- Check if your policy is still a ghost policy. Once you have employees, you may need to change your policy type. Ghost policies do not cover the owner or any employees — they are for proving coverage exists to give a certificate.
- Update your certificate to show the change in the number of people covered. If you add someone to your policy, your certificate must show that. The person who asked for the certificate will look for this detail.
- Check if your new employee needs training or to wear special gear. Your policy might require you to provide these things to stay in line with the rules of the coverage.
What to Re-Check Each Renewal
Renewing your policy means you get a new quote. This is your chance to make sure everything is still correct.
- Confirm the type of work you do still matches your class code. Your quote will show you the right code for your state. If your work has changed, your code might have changed too.
- Check if you still want owner coverage. If you need it, you must choose it during your quote. It is called an owner inclusion election. This choice costs more and is not automatic. It means you are adding yourself to the list of people the policy covers.
- Make sure any new people you've hired are still covered. If not, update your policy. Your state might require you to include them in your coverage.
- Review the certificate to see if it has the right names and addresses. If not, update it before the next certificate request. The certificate must match the person who asked for it.
- Check if your policy still matches your current business. If you changed tools, added new work, or hired someone, your policy should reflect that. If it does not, your coverage might not work the way you need it to.
The One Rule You Must Never Forget
By default, your policy does NOT cover you, the owner. It only covers any employees you may have. If you want coverage for yourself, you must choose it during your quote. It is called an owner inclusion election. This choice costs more and is not automatic. A ghost policy is not for you — it is for proving your business has coverage so you can hand over a certificate. If you get hurt while working, the policy will only help you if you elected to be included in it. So always double-check your policy to see who is covered and who is not.
What to Do If You Need a Certificate Now
If someone asks for a certificate and you don't have one, you can get your quote in minutes. Your quote will show the real price for your state and the work you do. It will also give you the policy documents and the certificate you need to hand over. You don't need to wait — the process is fast and works online. If you are a one-person business, you might qualify for a ghost policy, which is a quick way to show coverage exists. Just make sure the certificate has the right name and address. Once you get your quote, you can send the certificate right away.
