Why does a roofer need Professional liability Insurance?

A roofer may need Professional Liability Insurance (also known as Errors & Omissions or E&O Insurance) when their operations include design advice, inspections, consulting, or specification services—not just physical labor. While General Liability covers bodily injury and property damage, Professional Liability covers financial losses from mistakes in professional judgment or recommendations.

🎯 Why a Roofer Might Need Professional Liability Insurance

1. Design or Specification Errors

• Example: A roofer recommends a specific membrane system for a commercial flat roof that later fails due to improper suitability for the climate.

• Exposure: The building owner sues for the cost of replacing the entire system—even though there was no physical damage at first.

• Coverage: E&O responds to claims of negligent advice, even if the workmanship was fine.

2. Inspection and Certification Services

• Example: A roofer provides a roof inspection and reports it as in “good condition.” Later, a buyer discovers major structural deficiencies and sues the roofer for misrepresentation.

• Exposure: Financial damages to the buyer, not bodily injury or property damage.

• Coverage: GL won’t respond because this is a professional error, not a physical occurrence.

3. Project Consulting or Construction Management

• Example: A roofing contractor acts as a consultant for a new build, overseeing subcontractors and making material selections.

• Exposure: If a timeline delay or material choice causes budget overruns or fails to meet specs, the roofer could be sued.

• Coverage: E&O protects against claims of poor planning, oversight, or documentation errors.

4. Contractual Requirements

• Some municipalities, commercial clients, or general contractors may require Professional Liability coverage if the roofer is:

  • Involved in roof design-build contracts

  • Providing condition certifications

  • Serving as a subconsultant to an architect or engineer

🧾 What Professional Liability Covers (That GL Doesn’t)

✅ Summary