Before hiring a roofing contractor, verifying the company’s Certificate of Insurance (COI) is an important step in protecting your property, employees, and project. A COI summarizes the contractor’s insurance coverage, but simply receiving a certificate is not enough. You should confirm that the information is current, appropriate for the roofing work being performed, and issued by a legitimate insurance carrier.
For Florida property owners and facility managers, the Florida Department of Financial Services specifically recommends verifying a contractor’s general liability insurance through a Certificate of Insurance and checking workers’ compensation coverage before allowing work to begin.
1. Verify the Contractor’s Legal Business Name
Start by checking that the name on the Certificate of Insurance exactly matches the company you are hiring. Compare the legal business name with the name on your roofing proposal, contract, invoice, and Florida contractor license.
If the names do not match, ask why. A certificate belonging to a different company or related entity may not provide the protection you expect.
2. Check the Insurance Company
Look at the name of the insurance carrier listed on the certificate. The carrier should be a legitimate insurer authorized to provide the applicable coverage.
Do not rely solely on a PDF supplied by the contractor. If there is any question about authenticity, contact the insurance agent or carrier using independently verified contact information and ask them to confirm that the policy is active.
Florida has documented cases involving fraudulent certificates of insurance, making independent verification particularly important.
3. Confirm the Policy Effective and Expiration Dates
Check both the policy start date and expiration date. The coverage should remain active throughout the roofing project—not merely on the day you receive the certificate.
For a large commercial reroof, consider asking the contractor to provide updated evidence of coverage if the project extends beyond the original policy expiration date.
4. Verify General Liability Limits
General liability insurance is designed to address certain third-party claims involving bodily injury or property damage. Review the limits shown on the COI and determine whether they meet your contract requirements.
For commercial roofing, you may also want your risk manager, property manager, attorney, or insurance professional to review whether the limits and coverage structure are appropriate for the project’s size and risk.
Florida’s consumer guidance specifically recommends obtaining a Certificate of Insurance to verify a contractor’s general liability coverage.
5. Confirm Workers’ Compensation Coverage
Workers’ compensation is especially important for roofing because roof work involves significant fall and workplace-injury risks.
Verify that the contractor has workers’ compensation coverage or a valid exemption where legally applicable. Florida provides a public Proof of Coverage database that can be used to verify workers’ compensation coverage.
If subcontractors will work on your project, do not automatically assume the prime contractor’s insurance covers them. Florida guidance states that contractors should verify workers’ compensation coverage for their subcontractors as well.
6. Check the Certificate Holder Information
Make sure the certificate holder is correctly identified. For a commercial property, this might be the building owner, property owner, management company, or another party specified by the contract.
However, remember that being listed as a certificate holder does not automatically make you an additional insured or change the underlying insurance policy. If your contract requires additional-insured status, ask for the appropriate endorsement rather than relying only on the COI.
7. Look for Relevant Coverage and Exclusions
A COI is a summary, not the complete insurance policy. Roofing projects can involve specialized risks, including roof leaks, water intrusion, completed operations, subcontractor work, and damage to existing structures.
If the project is substantial, have your insurance professional or attorney review the actual policy and endorsements when necessary rather than assuming the COI tells you everything.
8. Verify Before Work Begins
The safest approach is to verify insurance before signing the contract or allowing roofing work to start. Florida’s Department of Financial Services advises property owners to verify that contractors are properly licensed and insured before allowing them to inspect or work on a property.
Shieldline Roofing’s Approach
A professional commercial roofing contractor should be comfortable providing current insurance documentation and answering reasonable questions about coverage. At Shieldline Roofing, property owners and facility managers should treat insurance verification as part of the overall contractor due-diligence process—along with checking licensing, references, scope of work, warranties, safety practices, and contract terms.
Bottom line: When reviewing a roofing contractor’s Certificate of Insurance, verify the legal business name, insurance carrier, policy dates, general liability limits, workers’ compensation coverage, certificate holder information, and any required endorsements. Most importantly, independently confirm that the policies are active. A certificate is useful evidence, but verification—not just possession of the document—is what helps protect your roofing project.
Related Questions
- What is an experience modification rate (EMR) and why should I check it?
- What type of insurance should my roofing contractor have?
- How do I verify a contractor’s license status on the DBPR website?
- Who should be named as additional insured on a roofing contract?
- What is a qualifying agent and why does it matter?
- Is a Certificate of Completion the same as a Certificate of Occupancy for re-roofing?
Commercial Roof Coatings & Restoration
