What Insurance Do Manitoba Roofers Need?

July 21, 2025

Liability insurance is the cornerstone of business insurance for Manitoba roofers to protect them from lawsuits.

Roofers’ insurance protects you and your Manitoba roofing business against legal claims for accidents causing third-party bodily injury (client/supplier/member of the public) or third-party property damage.

What does general liability insurance cover for Manitoba roofers?

Roofing involves significant risk, falling debris, property damage, or accidental injury to a third party. General liability insurance covers claims related to:

Property damage (e.g., damaging a customer's home during installation)
Bodily injury to third parties (e.g., a homeowner or passerby getting injured)
Legal defense costs and settlements

Without sufficient liability coverage, even a single incident could lead to lawsuits or claims that could bankrupt your Manitoba roofing business.

How much liability insurance should you carry?

Most Canadian roofing contractors carry at least $2 million in liability coverage, though some commercial contracts or municipalities may require $5 million or more.

Even if you work alone, you can still be held liable for damage or injury. Make sure that your Manitoba roofing business has enough business liability insurance.

Does roofers insurance cover defective workmanship or roof leaks?

General liability insurance only covers accidental damage, like if a falling tool breaks a window or your work causes a water leak that damages a ceiling. It doesn't cover bad workmanship, for that, you’d need errors & omissions (E&O) insurance or a warranty program.

Other types of Insurance for Manitoba roofers:

Commercial auto insurance
Tools and equipment Insurance
Contractor’s bond (Surety Bond, often required by law or contracts)
Commercial property insurance

To sum it all up

Roofer insurance isn’t just a smart business move, it’s often a legal and contractual requirement. Whether you're a solo roofer or running a larger crew in Manitoba, staying properly insured with enough business liability insurance is needed to keep your business safe, compliant, and competitive.

5 FAQs about roofers insurance

Is roofing insurance legally required for Manitoba roofers?

No, roofing insurance is not legally mandated for roofers in Manitoba, but it can be required to secure contracts.

What happens if a Manitoba roofer doesn’t have insurance?

Without insurance, roofers and their clients are exposed to significant risks. Homeowners may be liable for injuries on their property, and contractors may face lawsuits or business closure after an incident.