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The most
important point on your checklist is that you be protected from
liability should a roofer, or anyone else be injured on your job.
Beware of some tricks that many roofing companies employ to fool you
into thinking they have valid insurance that will protect you. Here
are some tricks, which if used, will not give you any protection,
and leave you liable for any injury or death of any workers.
1. They will
show you a copy of their insurance certificate, but it may not be in
force.
2. The name on
the policy will be different to the name of the contractor on your
contract.
3. Your
contractor will have a valid insurance policy, but the coverage may
not include roofing.
This is because
the so called "roofing" contractor, in order to escape the high cost
of "roofing" insurance, has declared himself to be a general
contractor by inserting "roofing & construction", "roofing and
remodeling", "roofing and renovation", etc. General contractor
insurance is much cheaper.
The problem is
that the insurance company won't cover you once they discover that a
claim is made by a Contractor whose main business is roofing. To
assure your protection a professional roofer will carry "Worker's
Compensation" AND "General Liability" insurance. A professional will
be happy to give you the name of his or her insurance carrier and
agent. You can then independently verify that a policy is in force,
and that it covers roofing specifically.
Call the carrier
and ask them to send you a Certificate of Insurance. They will be
glad to. It is part of their job. Do not accept a letter or
certificate directly from the roofer as proof of insurance. That's
simply not the way things are done. Anyone who claims they are
exempt from carrying insurance, or that your homeowner's insurance
will cover you, or that they are self-insured, may not be telling
the truth. Don't take a chance!
The consequences
are too great. Do business with folks who care enough about your
welfare to insure your job in a professional manner, do business
with Phoenix Roofing. |
