Workers' Comp Insurance for Roofing Businesses in New York
Roofing (NCCI class code 5551) is one of the highest-risk class codes in the entire system, with rates often $20-$45 per $100 of payroll. Falls and burns drive frequency and severity. Many carriers won't write roofers at all, which means your placement options are limited and rates are high — but a strong safety program and clean experience mod can dramatically lower your premium in New York. The New York workers' compensation market is governed by NYCIRB, and the average rate statewide is approximately $1.41 per $100 of payroll.
New York requirements for roofing businesses
When required: Required for any employer with at least one employee, including part-time and family members.
Sole proprietors: Sole proprietors are exempt unless they elect; partnerships exempt for partners only.
Owner / officer exclusion: Sole corporate officers and one- or two-person corps may exclude; LLC members may exclude.
Roofing class codes used in New York
Why roofing workers' comp is tricky in New York
Most standard carriers decline roofing accounts entirely. Of those that will write it, many require minimum payroll thresholds, OSHA-compliant fall protection programs, and detailed loss runs. We work with specialty markets that actively want roofing accounts and can usually beat any quote you've received.
Tips for New York roofing contractors
- ✓ Document your fall protection program — written policy, training records, harnesses inspected
- ✓ Limit residential vs commercial roofing exposure carefully — different codes apply
- ✓ Run a pay-as-you-go program to align premium with actual seasonal payroll
- ✓ Pre-qualify subs to avoid being responsible for their unsafe practices
- ✓ Request schedule credits for safety programs, drug testing, and clean loss runs
Get a New York roofing workers' comp quote in 60 seconds
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Get My Quote →Roofing workers' comp in other states
Rates and requirements for roofing contractors vary widely by state. Compare New York to other major markets:
Other industries in New York
New York workers' comp rates and requirements for other common industries:
More New York workers' comp resources
- → New York workers' comp overview — full state requirements, exemptions, average rates
- → Roofing workers' comp (all states) — industry deep-dive
- → Cost calculator — estimate annual premium by class code
- → EMR calculator — experience modification rating
- → COI generator — same-day certificate of insurance
- → Workers' comp audit disputes — recover overpaid premium
- → 1099 vs. employee classification — avoid back-premium penalties