Updated July 8, 2026
The Short Answer
Roofing contractors typically pay from about $1,050/year for general liability insurance, roughly 3.5x the base office rate. Crew size, total revenue, and your state each nudge that figure up or down; the GL cost calculator converts your specifics into a real estimate.
Why Roofers Pay This Rate
What a carrier charges for general liability starts with trade risk class, then scales with annual revenue. Working at height with heavy materials directly over someone's home puts roofing at about as high an exposure category as small business GL gets, the highest multiplier of any trade covered here.
One Thing Worth Knowing
Because the trade sits at the top of the risk table, some carriers decline roofing entirely or price it through a surplus-lines market rather than a standard policy. Expect fewer carrier options and more underwriting questions than lower-risk trades face.
Building Out the Rest of Your Coverage
Once a roofing crew is on payroll, workers' comp becomes mandatory in most states; the calculator estimates the cost. A BOP bundles in property coverage at a discount versus buying each separately. The SBA business insurance guide is worth skimming if general liability is still new territory.