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Roofers across the UK depend on vans and work vehicles every day. A reliable vehicle makes it possible to carry ladders, power tools, slate, tiles and safety equipment from job to job. When a van or truck is off the road because of a breakdown, theft or accident, roofing work can stop right away. This can lead to lost income and delays for customers.

Commercial vehicle insurance is important for roofers when things go wrong. If your van gets damaged, the right insurance policy helps you get back to work fast. If there is an accident and a member of the public gets involved, insurance can help pay for legal costs and give compensation. Having the right insurance gives peace of mind. It also helps keep your roofing business running without long delays.

Standard car insurance or private van insurance will not protect you during roofing work. If you take tools and equipment in the van for your business, you need business van insurance or commercial vehicle insurance. The right level of cover is important. If you do not have it, a claim can be refused, even if the accident was not your fault. Roofers compare van insurance to match the right cover with tools, materials and daily travel across multiple job sites at a price that fits their business.

Compare van and commercial vehicle insurance for roofers

What is roofing vehicle insurance and why is it important?

Roofing vehicle insurance covers vans, pickup trucks, tonne trucks and other commercial vehicles used for roofing work. It protects both the vehicle and the roofing equipment inside it.

Roofers have a higher chance of getting hurt than people in other jobs because they:

  • Travel to many places every week.
  • Carry valuable tools and power equipment.
  • Move heavy things and items that are hard to handle.
  • Work on tight deadlines, which can change with the weather.
  • Often park in open spots and public spaces.

Roofers commonly transport items such as:

  • Ladders and scaffold towers
  • Nail guns, drills and saws
  • Roof tiles, slates and felt
  • Lead flashing and sealants
  • Safety harnesses and PPE
  • Waste disposal equipment

If these get stolen or broken, it can cost a lot of money. The right insurance helps keep the vehicle safe. It also covers the tools that roofers need to do their work.

Which types of commercial vehicles can be insured for roofing work?

Roofers often drive more types of vehicles than many other trades. The kind of insurance you need depends on what vehicle you use for work.

Type of Work Vehicle Typical Use in Roofing Insurance Category
Transit-style vans Jobs with hand tools, slate and materials Business van insurance
Pickup trucks Carrying heavy or loose materials Commercial vehicle insurance
Flatbeds Transporting long ladders and timber Commercial vehicle insurance
Tipper trucks Removing debris and old tiles Specialist commercial vehicle insurance
Ton trucks / crew cabs Roofing teams with shared equipment Multi-driver commercial policy
Fleet of mixed vehicles Roofing company with several vehicles Fleet insurance

Roofers can have more than one vehicle on the same fleet policy if they need to.

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What types of insurance cover do roofers need?

Roofers need two things to stay safe:

  1. Base level of cover
  2. Business use type

1) Base level of cover

Base Level of Cover What It Includes Best For
Third party Damage to other vehicles and property Legal minimum cover
Third party fire and theft Third party plus protection for fire and theft Vehicles storing tools overnight
Comprehensive cover The vehicle and others, including accidental damage Most roofers who need strong protection

2) Business use type

Type of Business Use What It Includes Best For
Business van insurance Driving to jobs and carrying tools Self-employed roofers
Commercial van insurance Carriage of goods and equipment for business purposes Roofing companies
Carriage of own goods Materials, tools and supplies transported between jobs Tradespeople using their own tools
Fleet insurance Two or more work vehicles under one policy Roofing firms with multiple vans or trucks

Choosing the wrong type of insurance can make your claim get rejected. The van insurance policy must show that it is for roofing work.

What types of insurance cover do roofers need

Get cover that fits the work you do on roofs and the kind of vehicle you have

What optional extras help roofers reduce disruption to work?

Optional add-ons can help keep your tools, gear, and money safe if a job gets stopped. These extras make sure that you don’t lose out if something goes wrong while you work.

Optional Extra What It Protects
Breakdown cover Help if the van fails on the way to a roofing job
Tools and equipment cover Power tools, ladders and specialist roofing equipment
Transit insurance Tiles, timber and materials during transport
Legal expenses cover Legal fees after an accident or dispute
Courtesy vehicle Replacement van while repairs are made
Windscreen claims Repairs and replacements
Public liability insurance Compensation if a member of the public is injured
Personal accident cover Support if the driver is seriously injured
Professional indemnity Claims linked to roofing work carried out

Public liability insurance is strongly recommended for roofers because work takes place on customer property and sometimes in public areas.

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Who needs van and commercial vehicle insurance designed for roofers?

This type of policy is suitable for:

  • Self-employed roofers
  • Roofing contractors
  • Slate and tile specialists
  • Fascia, soffit and gutter installers
  • Flat roof installers
  • Lead roofers and flashing specialists
  • Solar panel and roof ventilation installers
  • Roofing firms with more than one vehicle

Any roofer who uses a commercial vehicle to move tools or stuff for work that pays needs to have commercial vehicle insurance.

What information do insurers ask for when roofers get insurance quotes?

Insurers get information to help set insurance costs. They also use this data to know more about risk.

They normally request:

  • Van or vehicle make and model
  • Van registration number
  • Value of the vehicle
  • Type of insurance you need
  • Postcode and where the van is parked at night
  • Equipment that is in the vehicle
  • Your business activities and what kind of roofing work you do
  • Your claims history and any no-claim discount
  • Years you have had insurance
  • What security features you have put in
  • Names of drivers and how they use the van
  • Fleet size, if you have more than one vehicle

Roofers who use costly powered tools or keep their gear at the job site overnight have to follow safety rules. This can mean using allowed locks or putting things away in a safe spot.

Do roofers face higher risks than other trades

Do roofers face higher risks than other trades?

Yes. The insurance companies see roofing work as the kind that is more risky than most jobs. This is because roofers:

  • Do work where you have to be high up and use heavy tools.
  • Take important tools and things with you.
  • Go to many places and travel far.
  • Park your car in open spots that may not be safe.
  • Try to finish your work on time, but the weather can change things.

These things can make insurance cost more if roofers do not have the right coverage in place.

How much does commercial vehicle insurance cost for roofers?

UK averages for 2024–2025 are shown below.

Type of Roofing Work Typical Annual Cost
Domestic roofers £900 – £1,450
Roofing contractors (multiple jobs weekly) £950 – £1,550
Flat roof specialists £1,000 – £1,650
Lead roofing and flashing £1,050 – £1,700
Solar roof installers £1,100 – £1,850
Roofing firms with several vehicles £1,750 – £3,500 per vehicle

Costs may increase if:

  • Power tools are stored in the vehicle overnight
  • The van travels long distances
  • Multiple named drivers share the same vehicle
  • Previous fault claims exist

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How can roofers reduce commercial vehicle insurance costs?

Roofers can lower their insurance premiums without losing protection by making small changes to the way the van is used and stored.

Ways to reduce costs include:

  • Park the van in a secure location overnight
  • Remove power tools and equipment when possible
  • Use deadlocks, alarms, steering locks or trackers
  • Choose a voluntary excess you feel comfortable paying
  • Keep a strong no-claims discount
  • Add only the named drivers who really need access
  • Pay annually instead of monthly instalments
  • Compare van insurance prices before renewal each year

Security upgrades are one of the most effective ways to reduce premiums for roofing work because theft risk is a major cost driver in this trade.

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Does commercial vehicle insurance cover roofing tools and materials?

Not automatically. A standard van insurance policy protects the vehicle, but not the specialist roofing tools and materials inside it.

Item Carried in Roofing Vehicles Covered by Van Insurance? Extra Cover Needed
Hand tools ❌ Tools and equipment cover
Power tools ❌ Tools and equipment cover
Ladders and scaffold boards ❌ Transit insurance
Tiles, slates and felt ❌ Transit insurance
Waste or debris ❌ Commercial load cover
Solar panels and ventilation units ❌ Transit insurance

Roofers who keep tools overnight should check storage rules in the policy documents. Some insurers only provide cover if the tools are kept in an approved storage box or locked compound.

Can roofing companies with more than one van get fleet insurance?

Yes. Fleet insurance allows roofing companies to insure two or more work vehicles under one policy. It provides one renewal date, shared usage, and flexible access for drivers.

Fleet cover works well when:

  • Several roofers share vehicles
  • Tools move between vans depending on the job
  • New vans arrive during busy months
  • The business grows during the year

Fleet insurance can reduce admin time and sometimes reduce overall insurance costs compared with insuring each vehicle separately.

Can roofing companies with more than one van get fleet insurance

Keep your roofing business covered with multi-vehicle and fleet protection

Does van insurance compensate roofers if the van is off the road?

The van itself is covered, but lost income is not included by default. However, optional extras help reduce downtime and financial loss.

Useful add-ons for roofers include:

  • Courtesy vehicle — keeps jobs running while repairs take place
  • Breakdown cover — fast roadside assistance to avoid delays
  • Tools insurance — protects powered tools and hand tools
  • Transit insurance — protects tiles, timber and other materials
  • Personal accident cover — support if the driver is seriously injured
  • Legal expenses insurance — helps with legal fees after an accident

These extras help roofing businesses finish jobs on time and avoid lost income when something goes wrong.

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Do roofers need public liability insurance as well as vehicle insurance?

Yes. Public liability insurance is strongly recommended for roofers. It covers compensation costs if a member of the public or a customer is injured or property is damaged during roofing work.

Examples of when public liability cover is useful:

Situation Covered by Vehicle Policy? Covered by Public Liability Insurance?
Van damages another vehicle ✔ ❌
Tile falls and damages a customer’s conservatory roof ❌ ✔
Someone trips over tools on-site ❌ ✔
Scaffold scratches a customer’s car ❌ ✔
Damage caused during loading or unloading ❌ ✔

Many roofing businesses combine commercial van insurance with public liability insurance so there are no gaps in protection.

Protect your roofing work with van insurance and public liability cover

Is temporary van insurance available for roofing work?

Yes. Temporary or short-term insurance is useful for:

  • Hiring a replacement van for a short period
  • Taking on seasonal roofing contracts
  • Adding an extra driver for a few days
  • Using a new van while waiting for a permanent policy

Temporary cover is normally available from:

  • 1 day
  • 7 days
  • 14 days
  • 30 days
  • 60 days
  • 90 days

Short-term cover can be more expensive per day, but it avoids paying for a full annual policy when the van is only needed for a limited time.

FAQs About Van & Commercial Vehicle Insurance for Roofers

Yes. If you use the tools or things you have for roofing work that is paid, you have to get business van insurance. A regular van insurance for private use will not cover this type of roofing work.

No. The tools and equipment are not the same, so you need to cover them separately. Tools insurance can help protect items like nail guns, drills, and roofing saws.

Comprehensive cover is the best level of cover that you can get. It will protect your own vehicle. It also covers other vehicles if an accident happens. Many roofers choose this level of cover. There is a high chance of accidental damage when you work as a roofer. This is why it is so popular.

Yes, but the insurance policy needs to show that it covers business use and personal use. If the policy documents do not show personal use, they might not pay you when you make a claim.

No, public liability insurance is not the same. This insurance will cover injury or property damage if something happens while doing roofing work. It does not pay for damage to your van itself.

Yes. You can add named drivers to the same policy. The price you pay for the policy may be different. It depends on the age, how long someone has driven, and their claims history.

Standard van insurance does not give cover for tiles, slates, timber, or equipment while you move them. To have protection for these things, you must add transit insurance.

Roofing work can be dangerous. People do this with heavy tools and over ground. The equipment for it is not cheap. Choosing the right policy is a good idea. This helps you not have to pay higher premiums.

Yes, the new roofers and new companies can get cover. If you give the right details about your business activities, tools, and any security features you use, it helps keep prices fair.

Yes. Fleet insurance covers all work vans with just one policy. There is the same date for the renewal for all the vans. This can save time for the people handling paperwork. Also, it can help to bring down the total cost for insurance.

Yes. Many insurers and comparison sites now provide instant online quotes for van insurance. Roofers can enter details about their vehicle, area of work and tools to get multiple quotes quickly.

Yes. Roofers may receive discounts if they fit security devices, keep a good no-claims record, park the van in a secure yard overnight or pay their premium annually rather than in monthly instalments.

Several UK van insurers specialise in trade vehicle cover for roofers. The best way to find a suitable provider is to compare several online van insurance quotes and choose a company authorised on the Financial Services Register with the right level of cover.

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Page last updated on: 05/12/2025

Page reviewed by: Tim Bailey

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