Roofing · Baltimore Metro, MD
Dense rowhome and flat-roof work means torch-down and modified bitumen exposure, tight staging, and neighbor property damage claims. Carriers pay close attention to hot-work procedures on this kind of account.
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Areas Covered
If your crews work anywhere in this part of Maryland, an independent agent can quote you — including jobs that cross into neighboring regions.
What Matters Here
Licensing
Residential roofing work in Maryland generally requires a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license, and the MHIC expects proof of insurance as part of licensing. Some counties and Baltimore City add their own permitting requirements on top.
Workers' compensation
Maryland employers with one or more employees are generally required to carry workers' compensation, and construction trades get comparatively little leeway on it.
Storm and claim drivers
Summer hail and derecho-style wind events, hurricane remnants tracking up the Chesapeake, and winter ice dams in the west drive most storm claim activity.
Licensing and coverage requirements change and vary by jurisdiction and contract. Treat this as a starting point and confirm the specifics with a licensed agent before you rely on it.
Coverage Types
A complete program is usually six policies working together, not one general liability certificate.
Third-party bodily injury and property damage — including water intrusion during tear-off. Also the policy GCs are looking at when they ask for additional insured and primary & non-contributory endorsements.
Medical bills and lost wages for injured crew. The largest line item on most roofing programs, and the one where safety documentation and your experience mod move the price the most.
Trucks, trailers, and dump runs — plus hired and non-owned auto for crews driving personal vehicles between jobs.
Covers tools, compressors, and equipment on the job, in transit, and in the truck overnight — where they actually get stolen or damaged.
Covers shingles, membrane, and materials you've staged or partially installed but haven't handed over yet. Most GL policies won't touch them.
Sits above GL and auto. Commercial GCs and property managers routinely require $2M–$5M in total limits before you can start work.
Common Questions
For residential home improvement work, generally yes — and the MHIC wants to see insurance in place. Commercial work is treated differently, and local jurisdictions may layer on their own permits. Your agent can tell you what limits the license and your contracts require.
Maryland generally requires coverage starting at one employee, and construction is not a place where carriers or the state are flexible. Even where you might qualify for an exemption, most GCs and property managers will require coverage by contract.
There's no honest flat answer — roofing premiums are driven by payroll, your split of residential versus commercial work, height and hot-work restrictions, the states you operate in, and your claims history. Two roofers with the same revenue can be priced very differently. The fastest way to a real number is a licensed agent running your payroll and loss runs through several carriers at once.
Generally no. General liability covers damage you do to someone else's property or person. Tools, compressors, ladders, and staged materials are covered by inland marine (tools and equipment) and an installation floater. This is one of the most common gaps we see on roofing policies.
It depends on the state, and roofing is often treated more strictly than other trades because it's classified as construction. Some states require coverage at the first employee, others at three or more, and general contractors usually require it by contract regardless of the legal threshold. Check your state's page for specifics and confirm with a licensed agent.
Tell us about your business and an independent agent licensed in Maryland will reach out within one business day.
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