Roofing insurance prices vary widely with payroll, revenue, the kind of roofing you do and your claims history. As a benchmark, Insureon, a national online broker, reports median premiums of about $317 a month for roofing general liability and $175 a month for workers' compensation (a figure that covers construction businesses, including roofers). Texas has no state roofing license, but the voluntary RCAT license, many cities and most commercial contracts set their own insurance requirements.
This guide covers what roofers typically pay, what drives those premiums, which coverages and minimums apply in Texas, and the Texas roofing laws every contractor should know.
Thumann Insurance Agency can compare roofer insurance in Dallas and across Texas options from our carrier network. For pricing based on your own crew, payroll and work, get a quote for your roofing company or call (972) 991-9100.
How Much Does Roofing Insurance Cost?
Here are typical premiums for roofing contractors, based on Insureon's data:
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General liability: $317 per month ($3,808 per year)
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Workers' compensation: $175 per month ($2,101 per year)
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Commercial auto: $268 per month ($3,212 per year)
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Business owner's policy (BOP): $125 per month ($1,503 per year)
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Tools and equipment: $42 per month ($505 per year)
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Professional liability: $67 per month ($808 per year)
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Umbrella: $93 per month ($1,111 per year)
Insureon says the general liability figure reflects limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate with a $1,000 deductible. Some lines, such as workers' compensation, commercial auto and umbrella, combine roofers with other construction businesses.
Treat these numbers as a rough guide, not a prediction. They are national medians, not Texas-specific prices, and most of the customers behind them have fewer than five employees, annual revenue from about $50,000 to more than $200,000, and five years or less in business. A larger crew, higher payroll or commercial work can put your premium well above them.
Some small roofing businesses may qualify for a business owner's policy (BOP), which bundles general liability and property coverage. Insureon notes that only small, low-risk businesses are eligible.
Want a real number? Pricing depends on your payroll, revenue, vehicles and the work you do. You can submit a quote request online or call us at (972) 991-9100, and we will compare options from our carrier network.
How we compiled this: premium figures are the median amounts Insureon reports for roofing contractors and construction businesses that applied for quotes through its marketplace, taken from its roofing cost page (updated August 10, 2026) and reviewed on October 17, 2026. We did not adjust them. They are national, they will change over time, and they are not quotes from Thumann Insurance Agency or any carrier.
What Drives a Roofer's Insurance Premium?
Insurers commonly price roofing coverage based on:
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Payroll and employees: workers' compensation is generally priced from payroll for your job classification, so crew size and wages matter.
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Annual revenue: higher revenue means more exposure for general liability.
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Services you offer: the kinds of roofing you do and the buildings you work on.
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Subcontractors: more subcontractors mean more opportunities for accidents or damage.
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Equipment and assets: the value of your tools, vehicles and shop.
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Safety practices: a written safety program and a record free of incidents can help.
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Location: work in areas prone to severe weather, such as hail in North Texas, can raise premiums.
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Claims history: frequent past claims usually raise prices.
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Limits and deductibles: higher limits and lower deductibles typically cost more.
Insureon also notes that workers' compensation for roofers often costs more than for other construction trades because of the injury risk of working at height.
How we compiled this: these factors are drawn from Insureon's roofing cost page. Insurers weigh them differently, and none guarantees a lower premium.
What Insurance Does a Texas Roofing Contractor Need?
Most roofing companies build a program from several policies. Our contractors insurance page gives the wider picture.
General liability insurance
General liability helps pay defense costs and covered damages when someone claims your roofing work caused bodily injury or property damage, such as a visitor hurt on a job site or damage to a client's home. It generally does not cover your own employees' injuries, vehicles or tools. General contractors, property managers and owners commonly set minimum limits in contracts, and $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 aggregate is the combination Insureon reports for its typical roofing customer. See our general liability insurance page.
Workers' compensation insurance
According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), private employers in Texas can choose to carry workers' compensation, and it is not required in most cases. Employers who opt out are called non-subscribers and must notify their employees and the Division of Workers' Compensation, as TDI's non-subscriber guidance explains.
RCAT accepts either proof of workers' compensation or a current DWC Form 005 non-subscriber notice, and clients often require coverage anyway. Opting out can change your legal exposure if a worker is hurt, so talk with an attorney. See our workers' compensation insurance page.
Commercial auto insurance
Texas law requires liability coverage on vehicles, with minimum limits of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for injuries and $25,000 for property damage, according to TDI's auto insurance guide. If your company owns trucks or trailers, commercial auto insurance for contractors is built for business use. Employees who drive their own vehicles for work are a separate question to raise with your broker.
Tools and equipment insurance
Tools and equipment coverage, also called inland marine, can cover tools and equipment at a job site, in transit or in storage, depending on the policy. Insureon notes that items valued above $2,500 may need to be scheduled separately.
Commercial property insurance
Commercial property insurance helps protect a shop or warehouse and the contents you own. Wind, hail and flood treatment varies by policy and location, and flood is usually a separate policy. See our commercial property insurance page.
Umbrella insurance
Some contracts require higher total limits than a primary policy provides. Umbrella insurance adds limits above underlying liability policies such as general liability, commercial auto and employer's liability.
Professional liability insurance
Professional liability, also called errors and omissions (E&O), helps pay legal costs when a client alleges a professional mistake, such as installing different shingles than the customer requested. It is separate from general liability. See professional liability insurance.
Surety bonds
A surety bond is a financial guarantee that you will meet the terms of a contract. It is not insurance for your own losses. RCAT lets applicants provide a $100,000 surety bond in place of general liability insurance, and some cities and clients require bonds. See our surety bond page and our guide on when roofers need surety bonds.
What Does Texas Require of Roofing Contractors?
Texas does not require roofing contractors to hold a state license, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation does not license roofers, according to RCAT. Insurance requirements come from three places: the voluntary RCAT license, city rules and your contracts. For the wider picture, see our guide to Texas business insurance requirements.
RCAT license minimums
RCAT is a trade association, and its Licensed Roofing Contractor program is a voluntary credential, not a government license. Applicants must show:
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Residential license: $300,000 combined single limit general liability, or evidence they can obtain a $100,000 surety bond, property bond or irrevocable letter of credit.
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Commercial license: $500,000 combined single limit general liability, or the same $100,000 alternatives.
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Workers' compensation: proof of coverage or an equivalent plan, or proof of a current-year DWC Form 005 filing.
City registration
Some cities require roofing contractors to register and carry insurance. For example, the City of Amarillo requires roofing contractors to register with the city and carry a $20,000 surety bond, plus $300,000 in general liability for residential roofing or $1,000,000 for commercial roofing. Check your city's building department before you bid, because rules differ from city to city.
What clients and contracts ask for
General contractors, property managers, owners and HOAs may ask for a certificate of insurance showing your limits, additional insured wording for their organization, and sometimes a waiver of subrogation. Read each contract before you sign, and ask your broker to match the policy to it. If you are a Thumann client, you can request a certificate through our online certificate form. To see what a certificate shows, read what a certificate of insurance is.
How we compiled this: RCAT minimums come from RCAT's licensing page and the Amarillo requirements from the city's building safety page, both reviewed on October, 2026. Contract practices described here are common in the industry and are not legal rules. Requirements change, so confirm current rules with RCAT and your city before you apply or bid.
Texas Roofing Laws Every Contractor Should Know
TDI highlights several rules that apply to roofers on jobs paid from insurance settlements:
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A roofer who also does the work cannot act as a public insurance adjuster on that property or advertise that they will (Insurance Code Section 4102.163).
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It is illegal to offer to waive, rebate or absorb a policyholder's deductible (Business and Commerce Code Section 27.02).
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Contracts of $1,000 or more that involve an insurance settlement must include a notice that the policyholder must pay the deductible.
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Websites, ads and other materials should not say or imply that you will act as both contractor and adjuster.
TDI's Roofing and insurance: Know the law page explains these rules in more detail. This is general information, not legal advice.
How we compiled this: these rules come from TDI's "Roofing and insurance: Know the law" page and the statutes cited, reviewed on October, 2026. Laws can change, so confirm the current text before relying on it.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Roofing Policy
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Does the general liability policy limit work by building height or number of stories?
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How does it treat residential, commercial and new-construction work?
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Are torch-down or other hot work activities covered, restricted or excluded?
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How does it address water damage to a client's building during a re-roof?
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Does it cover completed work after the job ends?
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What does it require of subcontractors, and how are uninsured subcontractors treated at premium audit?
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Can it include the additional insured wording and waivers your contracts require?
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Are my payroll estimates and job classifications accurate for workers' compensation?
If you hire crews, see our subcontractor liability insurance page. Already have coverage? Bring these questions to your next renewal, or request a commercial renewal review. If a term is unfamiliar, our glossary of common insurance terms can help.
How to Keep Roofing Insurance Costs in Check
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Keep a written safety and fall-protection program and follow it.
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Classify payroll accurately and review it before each audit.
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Collect certificates of insurance from subcontractors before they start work.
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Protect your claims history by managing job-site risks.
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Choose limits and deductibles that meet your contracts and that you can afford.
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Compare options at renewal through an independent broker.
Insurers weigh these steps differently, and none guarantees a lower premium.
How an Independent Broker Helps Texas Roofers
Thumann Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency, so we are not tied to a single insurer. We work with 80+ insurance companies and compare coverage, exclusions, limits and cost for each client. Every client works with a dedicated Risk Advisor who takes time to understand how the business operates before recommending coverage. We have served Texas businesses and families since 1996.
Carrier availability and eligibility for roofing risks depend on your operations, location and underwriting, so options vary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roofing Insurance in Texas
How much does roofing insurance cost in Texas?
Insureon reports national median premiums of about $3,808 per year for roofing general liability, $2,101 for workers' compensation and $3,212 for commercial auto, with the last two covering construction businesses that include roofers. Texas premiums vary with payroll, revenue, location and claims history. For pricing based on your business, request a quote or call (972) 991-9100.
Is roofing insurance required in Texas?
Texas has no state roofing license or statewide insurance requirement for roofers. The voluntary RCAT license requires $300,000 (residential) or $500,000 (commercial) in general liability or a $100,000 bond. Some cities and many contracts add requirements, and vehicles need at least the Texas minimum auto liability limits.
Does Texas require roofers to be licensed?
No. Texas does not require a state roofing license, and RCAT's license is voluntary. Some cities require contractor registration, so check with your city's building department.
Do Texas roofers have to carry workers' compensation?
In most cases, no. TDI says private employers can choose to carry it. Employers who opt out must notify their employees and the Division of Workers' Compensation. RCAT accepts a DWC Form 005 instead of proof of coverage, and many clients still require coverage.
Can a roofer waive a homeowner's deductible in Texas?
No. Texas law makes it illegal to offer to waive, rebate or absorb a policyholder's deductible. Contracts of $1,000 or more that involve an insurance settlement must include a notice that the policyholder must pay the deductible.
How much general liability do Texas roofers need?
RCAT's minimums are $300,000 for residential and $500,000 for commercial licensing, and some cities set their own amounts. Many contracts ask for more, and $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 aggregate is what Insureon reports for its typical roofing customer. Check each contract.
Does general liability cover my tools, vehicles or building?
Generally no. General liability responds to injury or damage you cause to others. Your tools usually need tools and equipment coverage, your trucks need commercial auto, and your shop needs commercial property insurance.
How is workers' compensation priced for roofers?
It is generally based on payroll for your job classification, adjusted for factors such as your claims history. Insureon notes that roofers often pay more than other construction trades because of the injury risk. A quote based on your payroll is the reliable way to see your cost.
Cost figures in this FAQ come from the Insureon data described in the cost section above.
Request a Roofing Insurance Quote
Ready for pricing based on your own crew, payroll, vehicles and work? Request a Roofing Insurance Quote online, or call (972) 991-9100 to talk with our team. We will compare options from our carrier network. Options depend on eligibility, underwriting and carrier availability.
Author: Lauren Thumann, Director of Marketing
Last Updated: October, 2026
Sources: TDI Roofing Law, RCAT Licensing, TDI Workers' Comp, TDI Auto Guide, Insureon Roofing Cost Data
Disclaimer: This article is general information compiled from public sources, including Texas statutes, state agency pages, RCAT and third-party premium data. It is not legal advice, insurance advice or an offer of coverage, and terms vary by policy and carrier.