Insurance a roofer needs
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contractor license bond | $25,000, filed with CSLB |
| Workers' comp | Required on a C-39 license now. The 2028 rule extends it to every license |
| General liability | Not required by CSLB for most licenses, but customers, property managers and GCs require it |
| Commercial auto | For trucks and trailers used in the business |
| LLC extras | A $100,000 employee/worker bond plus required liability insurance |
Roofing workers' comp rates
| Code | Description | Hourly wage | Rate per $100 | On $100,000 payroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5552 | Roofing, lower-wage code | Under $33 | $20.827 | $20,827 |
| 5553 | Roofing, higher-wage code | $33 or more | $12.112 | $12,112 |
Note: Advisory pure premium rates effective 9/1/2026, before each carrier's own rating. The higher-wage code applies when an employee's regular hourly wage is $33 or more.
Who is insured today
CSLB's September 2026 license file shows 5,339 active C-39 licenses in good standing. Of those, 4,903 report their own workers' comp policy, 377 use a leasing firm or temp agency, 27 show no current coverage, and 1 is exempt. Los Angeles (1,127), Orange (446) and San Diego (387) counties have the most roofers.
Why roofing liability is harder to place
Fall exposure, fire from torches and leaks that appear years later make roofing a high-hazard class. Many admitted small-business programs decline roofing outright or exclude it, and carriers that do write it may ask for years in business, a roofing operations warranty and a loss history. A broker that checks the whole market can find the roofers' programs that fit.
Get a roofing quote
Tell us your payroll, headcount, how much work is residential versus commercial and your loss history and we will shop it. Call (858) 925-9555 or request a review online — only your name, phone and email are required; we collect project details by phone. Asena Capital Insurance Services, CA License #6008596.
Frequently asked questions
Does a C-39 roofing license require workers' comp?
Yes. C-39 licenses must carry workers' compensation now. From 1/1/2028 every active license must.
What is the workers' comp rate for roofers in California?
Advisory rates effective 9/1/2026 are $20.827 per $100 of payroll for class 5552 and $12.112 for class 5553, before each carrier's own rating.
Why is roofing insurance so expensive?
Roofing has the highest injury rates among construction trades, so workers' comp rates are the highest and fewer liability carriers will write it.
Can a C-39 roofer get general liability?
Yes, but fewer programs write roofing. Specialty and surplus-lines markets do, usually with a warranty and loss-history requirement.