Roofer Insurance in New York
New York requires Workers' Compensation for roofers. See the checklist below for the full breakdown and costs.
New York handles roofer insurance through the private market, with workers' comp mandatory the moment you take on staff.
The detail that sets New York apart for anyone handling other people's animals is liability: the state follows a mixed standard when a dog bites, which is exactly why the coverage priorities below look a little different here than they would a state over.
How New York regulates roofers
Workers' comp · Private market
New York requires workers' compensation for essentially all employers with employees, with almost no small-business exemption. It's also one of the few states that layers two more mandatory coverages on top — budget for all three the moment you hire your first W-2 worker.
Statutory disability · Disability Benefits Law (DBL) + Paid Family Leave
Beyond workers' comp, New York mandates statutory Disability Benefits (DBL) and Paid Family Leave for employees — and unlike California's payroll-deduction model, these are policies you actually purchase from a New York–authorized carrier (often the same one that writes your comp).
Dog-bite liability · Mixed
N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 123; Flanders v. Goodfellow (N.Y. 2025)New York is a hybrid state. An owner is strictly liable for a bite victim's medical and veterinary costs only once a dog has been judicially declared a “dangerous dog” (Agriculture & Markets Law § 123). For damages beyond medical bills — pain, lost wages — a victim can proceed on either of two tracks: common-law strict liability by showing the owner knew of the dog's vicious propensities, or, since the Court of Appeals' 2025 ruling in Flanders v. Goodfellow, ordinary negligence for failing to use reasonable care. That negligence route is new — it overruled the long-standing Bard v. Jahnke bar — and it makes documented temperament screening and handling protocols genuinely valuable for pet-care operators here.
Licensing & permits
New York licenses “pet dealers” who sell nine or more animals a year through the Department of Agriculture & Markets (Article 26-A). Local dog licensing is universal, and New York City adds its own boarding/kennel permit requirements. No statewide sitter or walker license exists.
SOURCE · State statutes & regulators as cited · Last reviewed 2026-07
New York coverage requirements
| Coverage | Required? | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory | Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
State regulator: New York State Department of Financial Services
Coverage checklist
| Coverage | Requirement | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial AutoCA | Required | $1,708–$3,172/yr |
| General LiabilityGL | Required | $732–$1,830/yr |
| Workers' CompensationWC | Required | $4,880–$14,640/yr |
| Inland Marine / Tools & EquipmentIM | Recommended | $366–$1,220/yr |
| Business Owner's PolicyBOP | Optional | $854–$2,196/yr |
| Commercial PropertyCP | Optional | $854–$3,050/yr |
| Professional Liability / E&OPL/E&O | Optional | $732–$1,830/yr |
Cost breakdown
- ·Truck size
- ·Equipment
Required for work trucks hauling materials and ladders.
- ·Height of work
- ·Steep-slope vs. flat
- ·Crew size
- ·Revenue
Required by licenses and GCs; fall and property-damage exposure keeps premiums high.
- ·Payroll
- ·Slope/height
- ·Experience mod
Required once you have employees; roofing is among the most expensive WC classes codes due to fall risk.
- ·Tool value
Covers nail guns, air compressors, and ladders.
- ·Office/shop
If you lease an office or yard.
- ·Shop ownership
If you own/lease a yard or shop.
- ·Design work
Rare unless you design roof systems.
Best carriers for roofer
Roofer insurance in New York — FAQ
Do roofers need workers' comp in New York?+
Yes — New York requires workers' comp from your first employee. Solo roofers with no staff are generally exempt until they hire.
If a dog in my care bites someone in New York, am I liable?+
New York is a hybrid state. An owner is strictly liable for a bite victim's medical and veterinary costs only once a dog has been judicially declared a “dangerous dog” (Agriculture & Markets Law § 123). For damages beyond medical bills — pain, lost wages — a victim can proceed on either of two tracks: common-law strict liability by showing the owner knew of the dog's vicious propensities, or, since the Court of Appeals' 2025 ruling in Flanders v. Goodfellow, ordinary negligence for failing to use reasonable care. That negligence route is new — it overruled the long-standing Bard v. Jahnke bar — and it makes documented temperament screening and handling protocols genuinely valuable for pet-care operators here. That's why general-liability and animal-bailee coverage are worth prioritizing for roofers working in New York.
Do roofers need insurance?+
Yes. Roofing is one of the highest-risk trades. General liability and workers' comp are required by most licenses and contracts, and premiums reflect the fall and property-damage exposure.
Why is roofing insurance so expensive?+
Roofers have some of the highest workers' comp class codes because of fall injuries. General liability premiums are also elevated because a bad installation can damage an entire home or building.
Is workers' comp required for roofers?+
Yes, in nearly every state once you have employees. Texas is the only state where workers' comp is optional.
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