The Importance of Hiring an Insured Contractor

July 23, 2018

Some things you just have to learn the hard way: Don’t microwave metal. Separate your dark and light laundry. Cutting your own hair is harder than you think. However, the importance of hiring an insured contractor should not be one of those things. In the event that your contractor or an employee becomes injured on the job or causes damage to your roof, you’ll want to make sure that they are insured. If you hire a contractor who doesn’t have adequate insurance, you may be held liable for on-the-job injuries and property damage. However, if the contractor has appropriate insurance, the insurer will pay for covered risks.

Importance of Hiring an Insured Contractor

Reasons to Work with an Insured Contractor

Liability for Injuries: Even experienced roofers can lose their balance or accidentally hammer a nail into their hand. If an uninsured worker becomes injured while installing your roof, you might have to pay the consequences. By the end, you could owe thousands in court fees and medical bills, so make sure to ask whether or not your contractor has workers’ compensation insurance.
Liability for Damages: Accidents happen. Sometimes a roof installation doesn’t go as planned. Hopefully, you have a homeowners insurance policy, but even this type of insurance might have gaps. Work with a company that has general liability insurance, which can help cover the loss.
Credibility and Quality: If a contractor doesn’t have both workers’ compensation and general liability insurance, it could be a red flag that you aren’t working with a legitimate company. When a business has adequate insurance, it’s a good sign that they are a quality company that takes their work seriously.

Types of Insurance

At the very minimum, a contractor should carry two types of insurance:

Workers’ Compensation Insurance: This insurance covers injuries that workers accrue on the job.
General Liability Insurance: In the event of a contractor flaw, this insurance is crucial.

Other types of insurance that contractors can carry include automobile liability insurance and commercial umbrella insurance.

Let’s just say your contractor hits your car on the clock, his or her personal car insurance might not cover the damage since the car was being used for work, so it’s a good idea to ask what their automobile insurance policy covers. Commercial umbrella insurance isn’t completely necessary, but it offers another layer of protection and peace of mind. Commercial umbrella insurance can help with legal fees, medical bills, and damage expenses that may exceed the limits of the general liability coverage.

Is Your Contractor Also Licensed?

Another important question to ask potential contractors is whether or not they have a license. Licensed contractors usually complete high-quality work because they can lose their license if they fail to do a good job. Some cities and states even require contractors to show proof of insurance before they receive their license. If you are hiring a contractor to repair your roof, your property insurance might not cover the cost of the repair if the contractor was not licensed.

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If you’re in the process of working with a contractor for your roofing project, ask to see proof of insurance. Most reputable businesses will be more than happy to show you, and you can rest easy knowing that you’re in good hands.

Identifying a roofer and overseeing the repair or removal of your roof can be a big task. The experts at Taylor-Made Roofing are here to make your experience stress-free. We are insured and we have been in business in southwest Missouri for more than 20 years. Our knowledgeable team is committed to keeping your roof solid and attractive for years to come. Call us at 417-326-8778 or contact us online to set up a consultation or roofing service.