Knowing how to check a roofer’s insurance in Ontario starts with requesting a current certificate of insurance and reviewing the coverage and insured parties it lists. The certificate can help you understand the roofer’s general liability coverage, but it’s also worth asking what protection applies to injuries at the jobsite. These details matter when the work is connected to an insurance claim.
A certificate is useful, but it does not explain every detail of how a roofer will handle an insurance repair. Ask for clear answers about the coverage, the proposed work and how the project relates to your claim.
This guide explains what to review on the certificate, what general liability insurance may cover and what questions to ask before work begins. These checks can help you make an informed choice for your home in Windsor and Essex County.
Key Takeaways
- Read the certificate of insurance for the named insured, policy dates and coverage details, not just the insurer’s name.
- Understand that general liability coverage may address accidental property damage or injury to someone who isn’t a worker.
- Ask how the certificate and workers’ compensation coverage relate to the risks at your roofing jobsite.
- For an insurance repair, clarify who is insured and what work the roofer’s coverage applies to before the project begins.
Certificate of insurance (COI)
A certificate of insurance summarizes a roofer’s insurance details at a particular point in time. Review it alongside the proposed roofing work, because the certificate alone does not explain every policy condition.
Reviewing the Certificate of Insurance
Check that the certificate names the roofing business you plan to hire and lists the insurer, policy dates, coverage types and limits. Compare the business name with the estimate or agreement to ensure the documents refer to the same contractor. Request a current certificate before work starts. If you need clarification, contact the insurer or broker using contact details you have verified independently.
If a roofer refuses to provide proof of insurance in Ontario, pause before agreeing to the work. Request a certificate and a clear explanation of the coverage. If the roofer still declines, consider a contractor who will provide the requested documentation.
Verifying Liability Coverage
General liability coverage may help address accidental property damage or injury to someone who is not a worker. Check that the certificate lists this coverage and names the roofer handling your project as the insured party. Ask the broker whether the listed policy applies to the roofing work in your agreement.
To check whether an Ontario roofing company has WSIB coverage, request its WSIB clearance certificate and confirm that the business name matches. Verify the clearance through WSIB’s online clearance service or by contacting WSIB directly with the company’s details.
Checking Additional Insured Status
Additional insured status means a homeowner is named under a contractor’s liability policy for specified circumstances. Ask whether you can be added for the roofing project, then request written confirmation from the insurer or broker. The certificate can identify insured parties, but the policy wording determines the scope of coverage.
This is separate from checking the roofer’s own coverage. A certificate and workers’ compensation coverage can help protect homeowners from being held accountable for injuries at a roofing jobsite. Keep the certificate and any written confirmation with your contract and project records.
General liability insurance
General liability insurance may cover property damage or injury involving someone who is not a worker. On a roofing project, this could include accidental damage to a home caused by falling roofing debris. The policy wording determines how coverage applies to a specific incident, so the certificate is only one part of the review.
A roofing company’s general liability policy may provide C$1 million per incident. Check the certificate for the stated limit, insurer and policy dates. A higher limit may be required for some projects, so confirm the relevant requirement with the organization overseeing the work.
Before agreeing to the project, review the coverage details alongside the work description:
- Confirm the insured business is the contractor named in your agreement.
- Check that the policy dates include the scheduled roofing work.
- Ask the insurer or broker how the policy applies to roofing activities.
- Clarify whether subcontractors’ work falls within the coverage.
For example, if roofing debris damages your siding, the policy’s terms and exclusions affect how the incident is handled. A stated limit does not explain which events are covered or how exclusions apply. Ask the insurer or broker to clarify any wording relevant to the planned work at your home.
General liability insurance and workers’ compensation are separate types of coverage. General liability may address property damage or injury involving someone who is not a worker, while workers’ compensation relates to worker injuries. Review each as a distinct part of the job’s insurance arrangements, and keep the documents with your agreement. This record can help you refer to the same project scope and coverage details if questions arise during the work.
How can I verify a roofer’s liability insurance in Ontario?
Contact the insurer or broker named on the certificate instead of relying only on the roofer’s copy. Find their contact details independently, then provide the policy number and insured business name. Ask whether the certificate reflects current coverage and whether the policy applies to the roofing work in your agreement.
- Match the contractor. Compare the insured business name with the name on your estimate or contract. Ask for clarification if the documents identify different businesses.
- Review the dates. Check that the policy period covers the planned roofing work. If the dates don’t align, request an updated certificate.
- Locate the coverage details. Confirm that general liability coverage is listed, along with its stated limit and the insurer’s details.
- Describe the work. Tell the broker whether the project involves a repair or roof replacement, and ask how the policy applies to that scope.
- Ask about the crew. If subcontractors will be involved, clarify how the policy addresses their work and whether their coverage is documented separately.
A certificate summarizes selected insurance information, not every policy term. For example, a listed limit does not explain exclusions or how a claim involving falling roofing debris would be handled. Ask the insurer or broker to clarify any wording that affects the planned work.
Keep the certificate and any written clarification with your contract. If the insurer or broker cannot verify the document, or the business name or policy dates do not match, pause before authorizing the project. Request corrected paperwork and direct confirmation first. These checks help you assess whether the coverage information matches the contractor and agreed work, without assuming the certificate answers every coverage question.
Should an Ontario roofer’s insurance certificate name the homeowner as an additional insured?
Ask whether the roofer’s liability policy can name you as an additional insured for the roofing project. This status may extend certain protections under the contractor’s policy, subject to the policy wording and endorsement terms. A certificate can identify insured parties, but the policy documents explain the scope of coverage.
Being listed as an additional insured is not the same as becoming the named insured. The roofing business remains the policyholder, while an additional insured receives coverage only in the circumstances set out in the policy. For example, a claim connected to the roofer’s work may be treated differently from damage caused by an unrelated event at your home.
Before work begins, ask the roofer and insurer or broker to clarify these three details:
- Whether the homeowner can be added as an additional insured for the specific roofing project.
- Which work activities and claims the endorsement covers, based on its wording.
- Whether the certificate or supporting document will show the homeowner’s name and the project details.
Check the spelling of your name and the property address on any project-specific document. If the certificate lists only the roofing company, ask whether a separate endorsement names you. Keep that document with the roofing agreement, because the certificate alone may not show the full terms.
Additional insured status does not replace the roofer’s own liability coverage or workers’ compensation coverage. A certificate and workers’ compensation coverage can help protect homeowners from being held accountable for injuries at a roofing jobsite. Treat each document as a separate part of reviewing the job’s insurance arrangements.
For an insurance repair, share the project description with the insurer or broker when asking about additional insured status. A roof replacement and a limited repair have different work descriptions, so the documents should reflect the actual job. Written clarification makes it easier to understand who is named and what the endorsement covers.
Cleroux & Sons Roofing: Pitched roof installations & replacements
Cleroux & Sons Roofing provides roof repairs, replacements and thorough inspections with full reports. If an insurance repair involves roof damage, an inspection report can help you understand the roof’s condition and the work needed. For worn or damaged pitched roofs, the company also provides repairs and pitched roof installations and replacements.
Use the insurance checks in this guide to review contractor documents and clarify how the proposed work relates to your claim. Then match the service to your roof’s condition: a repair may suit localized damage, while broader deterioration may call for replacement. An inspection report can help explain the roof’s condition before you decide what work to do.
For help with your roofing needs in Windsor and Essex County, contact Cleroux & Sons Roofing.
Make your next roofing decision with confidence
Before authorizing work, keep the proposed scope, claim details and project documents together. This gives you a clear reference if the repair plan changes or you need to discuss the work with your insurer. A written record also helps keep the roofing project aligned with the decision you have made for your home.
Knowing how to check a roofer’s insurance in Ontario is one part of making an informed decision. Next, choose work that matches your roof’s condition and your needs rather than rushing into a repair or replacement. Clear communication can make the process easier to manage.
If you’re planning roofing work in Windsor or Essex County, Cleroux & Sons Roofing can discuss your project and the right next step for your roof.
Contact Cleroux & Sons Roofing to start a conversation about your roofing needs. A thoughtful decision today can help you move ahead with greater confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Insurance Coverage Should Roofing Contractors Provide?
Homeowners should look for general liability insurance and applicable workers’ compensation coverage. General liability may address certain property damage or injuries involving people who are not workers, while workers’ compensation relates to worker injuries. For example, falling roofing debris could damage a vehicle or siding. Ask how each type of coverage applies to the planned work, crew and any subcontractors, rather than treating one policy as protection against every risk.
What insurance documents should I ask an Ontario roofer to provide?
Request a current certificate of insurance and, where applicable, a WSIB clearance certificate. If you want to be named as an additional insured, request written evidence of that status, such as the relevant endorsement. Compare the business names across the documents with the business named in your agreement. Keep copies with your estimate and project paperwork so you can refer to the same records if the job scope changes.
How do I confirm an Ontario roofer’s insurance certificate is current and authentic?
Contact the insurer or broker named on the certificate using independently verified contact details. Provide the policy number and insured business name, then ask whether the document reflects current coverage for the work period. Check that the contractor’s legal name matches your agreement. If a certificate has expired or its details differ, request corrected documentation before approving the roofing work.
What liability insurance coverage limits are typical for roofers in Ontario?
There is no single liability limit that fits every roofing project. The certificate should show the contractor’s stated limit, while the policy wording explains coverage conditions and exclusions. Ask the insurer or broker whether the limit applies to the work described in your agreement, including any subcontracted work. A limit alone does not establish whether a particular loss, such as damage to a neighbouring property, is covered.
Are Ontario roofers legally required to carry liability insurance or WSIB coverage?
General liability insurance and WSIB coverage are separate, and a liability policy does not establish a contractor’s WSIB status. Workers’ compensation coverage is mandatory for roofing contractors in most areas, but requirements depend on the applicable coverage rules. Request the roofer’s WSIB clearance and check its status directly with WSIB. For liability insurance, review the certificate and policy details rather than assuming a legal requirement or a specific limit.
What risks can homeowners face if an uninsured roofer is injured in Ontario?
Homeowners may be held accountable for injuries at a roofing jobsite. Request the roofer’s certificate of insurance and verify workers’ compensation coverage to help protect against that risk.
