Roofer Insurance in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires Workers' Compensation for roofers. See the checklist below for the full breakdown and costs.
Pennsylvania handles roofer insurance through the private market, with workers' comp mandatory the moment you take on staff.
The detail that sets Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania regulates roofers
Workers' comp · Private market
Pennsylvania requires workers' compensation from the first employee, with very narrow exemptions. Sole proprietors with no staff aren't required to carry it — though many boarding facilities, apartment complexes, and corporate clients will still ask a pet-care contractor for a certificate before letting them work.
Dog-bite liability · Mixed
3 P.S. § 459-502 (Pennsylvania Dog Law)Under Pennsylvania's Dog Law, a dog's owner or keeper is strictly liable for the medical costs of a bite regardless of fault; recovering additional damages such as pain and lost wages requires proving negligence or that the dog had known dangerous propensities. A pet-care handler in control of the dog can be treated as its “keeper” for this purpose.
Licensing & permits
Pennsylvania is distinctive for its statewide kennel license: anyone who keeps, boards, or transfers 26 or more dogs in a calendar year must be licensed by the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement (PA Department of Agriculture). That directly affects boarding sitters and daycare operators. Trainers and walkers below the threshold aren't licensed by the state.
SOURCE · State statutes & regulators as cited · Last reviewed 2026-07
Pennsylvania coverage requirements
| Coverage | Required? | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory | Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
State regulator: Pennsylvania Insurance Department
Coverage checklist
| Coverage | Requirement | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial AutoCA | Required | $1,400–$2,600/yr |
| General LiabilityGL | Required | $600–$1,500/yr |
| Workers' CompensationWC | Required | $4,000–$12,000/yr |
| Inland Marine / Tools & EquipmentIM | Recommended | $300–$1,000/yr |
| Business Owner's PolicyBOP | Optional | $700–$1,800/yr |
| Commercial PropertyCP | Optional | $700–$2,500/yr |
| Professional Liability / E&OPL/E&O | Optional | $600–$1,500/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 Pennsylvania — FAQ
Do roofers need workers' comp in Pennsylvania?+
Yes — Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, am I liable?+
Under Pennsylvania's Dog Law, a dog's owner or keeper is strictly liable for the medical costs of a bite regardless of fault; recovering additional damages such as pain and lost wages requires proving negligence or that the dog had known dangerous propensities. A pet-care handler in control of the dog can be treated as its “keeper” for this purpose. That's why general-liability and animal-bailee coverage are worth prioritizing for roofers working in Pennsylvania.
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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