Summary

Hiring a flat roofing subcontractor without proper insurance and manufacturer certifications is one of the fastest ways an Indiana general contractor can face major liability, failed inspections, and voided warranties. This guide explains the mandatory insurance coverage, required endorsements, and essential certifications every commercial roofing subcontractor must have. By verifying these credentials upfront, contractors protect their timelines, their budgets, and their reputation.

Introduction: Why Insurance and Certifications Matter More in Flat Roofing Than Any Other Trade

Commercial flat roofing is one of the riskiest and most heavily scrutinized trades in all of construction. Installers work at height, handle hot-air welders and adhesives, and must follow exact manufacturer specifications to maintain product warranties.

Indiana adds additional challenges with harsh winters, freeze–thaw cycles, and strict drainage/slope requirements. When a subcontractor lacks proper insurance or certifications, every mistake they make becomes the contractor’s responsibility—legally, financially, and reputationally.

The reality is simple:
If a roofer isn’t fully insured and factory-certified, the GC is taking on all the risk.

This guide shows you exactly what to require before a subcontractor ever steps foot on your jobsite.

Section 1: The Mandatory Insurance Policies Every Roofing Sub Must Carry

Professional commercial roofing subcontractors maintain a full suite of insurance policies designed specifically for high-risk work. Inexperienced or “cheap” roofers often skip key coverages—placing liability squarely on the GC.

1. General Liability Insurance (Non-Negotiable)

Commercial roofers must carry:

• $1M–$2M per occurrence
  
  
  

• Coverage for property damage & bodily injury
  
  
  

• Roofing-specific coverage (some policies exclude roofing!)
  
  
  

This protects you if a roofer:

• Damages HVAC units
  
  
  

• Causes leaks into a finished building
  
  
  

• Damages interior materials
  
  
  

• Injures someone on the jobsite
  
  
  

Pro Tip: Always require “additional insured” status to protect your policy from being billed first.

2. Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Critical)

Roofers work at height. Injuries happen.
If the sub doesn’t carry workers’ comp, the GC becomes the employer in the eyes of the law.

Workers’ comp:

• Covers worker injuries
  
  
  

• Protects against lawsuits from injured workers
  
  
  

• Is required for crews working on commercial jobs
  
  
  

If a subcontractor claims “My guys are all 1099,” that is a major red flag.

3. Commercial Auto Insurance

Roofing subs use:

• Box trucks
  
  
  

• Dump trailers
  
  
  

• Material haulers
  
  
  

• Service vans
  
  
  

If their vehicle causes an accident on or near your jobsite and they’re uninsured, you’re financially exposed.

4. Umbrella or Excess Liability Policies

Large industrial or public-sector projects often require higher coverage.
A legitimate roofing sub will have a $2M–$5M umbrella to meet contract requirements.

Section 2: Required Endorsements & Documentation GCs Must Request

Even if a sub has insurance, you’re not protected until the correct endorsements are added.

1. Additional Insured Endorsement

Your company must be listed as:

• Additional insured
  
  
  

• Primary and non-contributory
  
  
  

This ensures:

• Their insurance pays BEFORE yours
  
  
  

• Claims do not raise your premiums
  
  
  

2. Waiver of Subrogation

This stops the sub’s insurance company from suing you after paying a claim.

3. Certificate of Insurance (COI)

A COI must list:

• Policy limits
  
  
  

• Effective dates
  
  
  

• Coverage types
  
  
  

• GC named as additional insured
  
  
  

Always request this directly from the insurer, not the roofer.

4. Completed Operations Coverage

Covers problems discovered after the project is finished—like leaks or flashing failures.

This is essential for warranty compliance on flat roofs.

Section 3: Manufacturer Certifications (The Most Overlooked Requirement)

Most GCs don’t realize:
If the roofer isn’t certified by the manufacturer, the roof cannot receive a warranty—no matter how well it’s installed.

Factory certifications prove the installer was trained on:

• Welding techniques for TPO & PVC
  
  
  

• EPDM adhesive application
  
  
  

• Tapered insulation fastening patterns
  
  
  

• Flashing and termination bar details
  
  
  

• Drain and penetration detailing
  
  
  

Major Certifications Contractors Should Require

TPO/PVC Systems

• Carlisle
  
  
  

• Firestone
  
  
  

• GAF
  
  
  

• Johns Manville
  
  
  

• Mule-Hide
  
  
  

• Versico
  
  
  

• Duro-Last
  
  
  

EPDM Systems

• Firestone
  
  
  

• Carlisle
  
  
  

• Mule-Hide
  
  
  

Coating Systems

• Gaco
  
  
  

• Henry
  
  
  

• Tropical Roofing Products
  
  
  

• Aldo
  
  
  

These certifications are the difference between:
A roof that has a 20-year NDL warranty
vs.
A roof that has no warranty whatsoever.

Section 4: OSHA & Safety Compliance Requirements for Roofers in Indiana

Construction is regulated heavily in Indiana, and roofing is one of the most cited trades.

Roofers must follow:

• Fall protection standards
  
  
  

• Guardrail or tie-off protocols
  
  
  

• Ladder safety rules
  
  
  

• Daily safety meetings
  
  
  

• Hot-air welder safety procedures
  
  
  

GCs are often pulled into OSHA issues—even when the sub is at fault.
If the roofing sub has no documented safety plan, that’s a liability waiting to happen.

Section 5: Code & Permit Requirements That Impact Liability

Flat roofs in Indiana must follow strict code requirements.

Roofers must understand:

• Minimum slope requirements (¼” per foot)
  
  
  

• Drainage and scupper sizing
  
  
  

• Wind uplift fastening schedules
  
  
  

• Perimeter flashing height requirements
  
  
  

• Fire and smoke venting clearances
  
  
  

• Local inspection processes
  
  
  

Hiring a roofer who’s unfamiliar with Indiana code creates:

• Inspection failures
  
  
  

• Project delays
  
  
  

• Added costs
  
  
  

• Legal liability for the GC
  
  
  

Section 6: Red Flags That a Roofer Is Not Properly Insured or Certified

Watch for these warning signs:

• Insurance limits under $1M
  
  
  

• Certificates that look edited or handwritten
  
  
  

• Missing workers’ comp insurance
  
  
  

• No manufacturer names on paperwork
  
  
  

• Cannot produce training documents
  
  
  

• Avoids discussing warranties
  
  
  

• All crew members are day laborers
  
  
  

• “My insurance is being renewed right now — I’ll send it later.”
  
  
  

• The insurance agent will not verify coverage
  
  
  

Any one of these is a reason to stop the hiring process immediately.

Section 7: How GCs Should Verify Insurance & Certifications (Step-by-Step)

Here is the proper vetting process:

1. Request COI directly from their insurance agent
   
   
   

2. Verify policy limits and expiration dates
   
   
   

3. Confirm GC is listed as additional insured
   
   
   

4. Check for completed operations coverage
   
   
   

5. Call insurer to confirm authenticity
   
   
   

6. Request manufacturer certification letters
   
   
   

7. Contact local manufacturer rep to verify installer status
   
   
   

8. Confirm the crew—not just the company—is certified
   
   
   

9. Require updated COI annually or per project
   
   
   

If a roofer hesitates to provide any of this, they are hiding something.

Conclusion: Insurance & Certifications Are Non-Negotiable for Indiana Roofing Subs

Flat roofing is too risky to leave anything to chance.

By verifying:

• Insurance
  
  
  

• Endorsements
  
  
  

• Safety compliance
  
  
  

• Manufacturer certifications
  
  
  

You protect:

• Your projects
  
  
  

• Your profit margins
  
  
  

• Your timelines
  
  
  

• Your reputation
  
  
  

The right roofing subcontractor makes your life easier.
The wrong one puts everything at risk.

Never compromise on documentation.
Never skip verification.
And never assume a roofer “has it handled.”