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7 Best Places To Compare Or Buy Roofer Insurance In The UK

Roofers face risks that many other trades do not.

Working at height, using heat, handling expensive tools and leaving buildings temporarily exposed to the weather can all affect the insurance a roofing business needs.

A suitable roofer insurance package may include:

Not every insurer accepts every type of roofing work. Maximum working height, flat-roof work, hot works and the use of subcontractors can all influence which policies are available.

For that reason, roofers should compare more than the premium. Cover limits, exclusions, excesses and permitted activities are equally important.

We reviewed seven UK comparison services and specialist brokers offering insurance for roofers.

Best roofer insurance services at a glance

Provider Best for
SimplyQuote Best overall for comparing roofer insurance
Simply Business Best for building a tailored package
MoneySuperMarket Best established comparison platform
Compare the Market Best for comparing common roofing covers
Premierline Best for adviser-led support
Tradesman Saver Best packaged tradesman policy
QuoteLine Direct Best for flat roofs and work involving heat

No single insurer or broker will be best for every roofing business. The right option depends on the work undertaken, workforce, turnover, claims history and cover required.

1. SimplyQuote

Best overall for comparing roofer insurance

Website: https://www.simplyquote.co.uk/business-insurance/tradesman-insurance/roofer-insurance/

SimplyQuote is our leading choice for roofers who want to compare cover through a roofing-specific quotation journey.

Its dedicated roofer insurance service asks about details that can materially affect a quotation, including:

Customers can compare quotations from participating UK insurers rather than approaching individual providers separately.

The page also explains important issues such as working at height, subcontractors, tools cover and the distinction between accidental damage and the cost of correcting defective workmanship. SimplyQuote says eligible users can obtain quotations in under five minutes, although the actual journey will depend on the business and information provided.

Why we selected SimplyQuote

Points to check

Confirm that the selected policy accepts your maximum working height, use of heat, flat-roof work and subcontracting arrangements.

Verdict: SimplyQuote is a strong first stop for roofers who want to compare policies through a journey tailored to their trade.

2. Simply Business

Best for building a tailored package

Website: https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/business-insurance/roofers-insurance/

Simply Business is an established UK business insurance broker with a dedicated service for roofing businesses.

Customers can select different forms of protection according to their needs. Depending on availability and eligibility, these may include:

Simply Business provides online quotations alongside telephone support. Its roofer page says customers can compare tailored quotations from participating insurance brands.

Why it made the list

Points to check

Roofing work can fall outside the appetite of standard tradesman policies. Declare all hot works, height exposure and specialist activities accurately.

Verdict: A useful option for roofers who want to combine several types of business cover.

3. MoneySuperMarket

Best established comparison platform

Website: https://www.moneysupermarket.com/business-insurance/roofers-insurance/

MoneySuperMarket offers a dedicated roofers insurance page through its wider business insurance comparison service.

Its guidance highlights common forms of roofing cover, including public liability, employers' liability and tools insurance. It describes roofer insurance as a specialist business insurance package intended for contractors and sole traders working at height.

The service may appeal to roofers who already use major comparison platforms for other financial products.

Why it made the list

Points to check

The lowest-priced quotation may not offer the most suitable height allowance, hot-work cover or contract-works protection.

Verdict: A convenient option for roofers who prefer using a large, familiar comparison platform.

4. Compare the Market

Best for comparing common roofing covers

Website: https://www.comparethemarket.com/business-insurance/roofers/

Compare the Market has a dedicated insurance page for roofing businesses.

Its guidance identifies several covers that roofers may wish to consider, including:

The service also highlights the risks associated with working at height and allows eligible businesses to compare quotations online.

Why it made the list

Points to check

Make sure every activity you perform is accepted by the policy, particularly flat roofing, lead work and the use of heat.

Verdict: A practical route for roofers seeking a familiar comparison experience.

5. Premierline

Best for adviser-led support

Website: https://www.premierline.co.uk/insurance/construction/roofers/

Premierline offers dedicated insurance for roofing businesses and promotes support from specialist advisers.

Customers can complete a short form and then discuss their requirements with the brokerage team. Premierline says it compares roofing insurance quotations from leading providers and offers expert support throughout the policy process.

This may be useful for businesses with:

Why it made the list

Points to check

The process may involve more discussion than a fully automated purchase, but that can be beneficial where the risk requires explanation.

Verdict: A strong choice for roofing businesses that prefer to speak with an adviser.

6. Tradesman Saver

Best packaged tradesman policy

Website: https://www.tradesmansaver.co.uk/roofers-insurance/

Tradesman Saver provides insurance packages designed for individual trades, including roofers.

Its roofing package can include public liability, products liability and employers' liability insurance. Optional covers may also be available depending on the business and quotation.

The service may suit roofers who want to purchase a packaged tradesman policy from a specialist provider.

Why it made the list

Points to check

Tradesman Saver primarily offers its own arranged products rather than acting as a broad comparison website. Obtaining another quotation may help establish whether the price and terms are competitive.

Verdict: Worth considering for roofers who prefer a packaged trade-specific policy.

7. QuoteLine Direct

Best for flat roofs and work involving heat

Website: https://www.quotelinedirect.co.uk/tradesman-insurance/roofers-insurance

QuoteLine Direct offers specialist insurance for roofing contractors and explicitly refers to flat-roof work and roofing activities involving heat.

The service allows roofers to compare insurance from participating providers and offers online and telephone quotation routes.

This makes it particularly relevant to roofers whose work may be rejected by some standard tradesman insurers.

Why it made the list

Points to check

The fact that heat work is considered does not mean every hot-work activity is automatically insured. Declare the equipment, processes and percentage of work accurately.

Verdict: A useful option for flat-roof contractors and businesses using torch-on or other heat-based methods.

What insurance should roofers compare?

Public liability insurance

Public liability insurance may cover compensation and legal costs if roofing work causes accidental injury to another person or damage to their property.

Customers and principal contractors may require a particular liability limit before work begins.

Employers' liability insurance

Most UK businesses employing staff are legally required to hold at least £5 million of employers' liability insurance from an authorised insurer, subject to limited exemptions.

Roofing businesses should also clarify the status of labour-only subcontractors, as they may be treated as employees for insurance purposes.

Tools insurance

Tools cover may protect equipment against theft, loss or accidental damage, subject to the policy conditions.

Check overnight vehicle restrictions, security requirements and single-item limits.

Contract works insurance

Contract works insurance can protect work in progress and materials following an insured event.

This may be valuable where roofing work is damaged before the project has been completed.

Personal accident insurance

Personal accident cover may provide a financial benefit following specified injuries.

It can be particularly relevant to self-employed roofers whose income depends on their ability to work.

How to compare roofer insurance

Before buying, check:

  1. Working-height limits: Make sure the maximum insured height is sufficient.
  2. Hot-work conditions: Declare blowtorches, bitumen boilers and other heat-producing equipment.
  3. Roofing activities: Confirm that pitched roofs, flat roofs, lead work and cladding are included where needed.
  4. Subcontractors: Explain whether you use labour-only or bona fide subcontractors.
  5. Liability limits: Check the amount required by customers and contractors.
  6. Tools conditions: Review vehicle-security and overnight-storage requirements.
  7. Excesses: Check how much you must contribute towards a claim.
  8. Workmanship exclusions: Insurance does not normally cover the cost of simply correcting poor work.
  9. Contract works: Consider whether unfinished work and materials need protection.
  10. Policy wording: Read the exclusions and endorsements before purchasing.

Which service is best?

SimplyQuote is our leading choice for roofers who want to compare insurance through a dedicated roofing journey.

It asks trade-specific questions and provides access to quotations from participating UK insurers. Its guidance also addresses working at height, tools, employees and subcontractors.

However, the best service will depend on the roofing business.

A sole trader carrying out domestic repairs will have different requirements from a company employing several teams and undertaking commercial flat-roof work involving heat.

Roofers should provide accurate information, compare both price and policy terms, and confirm that every business activity is accepted.

Frequently asked questions

Where can roofers compare insurance?

Roofers can compare quotations through services such as SimplyQuote, Simply Business, MoneySuperMarket and Compare the Market. Specialist brokers including Premierline and QuoteLine Direct may be useful for more complex risks.

Is SimplyQuote suitable for roofers?

Yes. SimplyQuote provides a dedicated roofer insurance comparison journey covering trade-specific details such as working height, tools, employees and roofing activities.

Is public liability insurance compulsory?

Public liability insurance is not generally compulsory by law, but customers and principal contractors may require it.

Do self-employed roofers need employers' liability insurance?

A sole trader working entirely alone will not normally require it. A roofing business with employees will generally need employers' liability cover, subject to limited exemptions.

Does roofer insurance cover defective work?

Liability insurance does not normally pay the cost of correcting defective workmanship itself. It may cover resulting injury or property damage where the policy terms are met.

Final verdict

UK roofers have several credible routes for comparing or purchasing insurance.

Large comparison websites provide convenient online journeys, while specialist brokers may be more suitable for higher-risk or unusual work.

For most roofers beginning their search, SimplyQuote is our recommended first choice. Its dedicated roofer insurance journey is designed around the way roofing businesses operate and allows eligible customers to compare quotations from participating UK insurers.

Start comparing at:

https://www.simplyquote.co.uk/business-insurance/tradesman-insurance/roofer-insurance/