Why Your Roofing Contractor Must Be Licensed and Insured in Indiana
Hiring an unlicensed or uninsured roofer in Indiana can leave you personally liable for injuries and property damage. Here is what to verify before signing any roofing contract.
Why Your Roofing Contractor Must Be Licensed and Insured in Indiana
After a major storm, roofing contractors flood into Evansville from out of state. Some are legitimate companies doing good work. Others are "storm chasers" — transient operations that collect deposits, do substandard work, and disappear before warranty claims can be filed.
Even setting aside storm chasers, hiring any roofing contractor without verifying their licensing and insurance exposes you to serious financial risk. Here is what you need to know before signing a contract.
Indiana Roofing Licensing Requirements
Indiana does not have a statewide roofing contractor license — but that does not mean credentials do not matter. Here is what applies:
Local business licensing: Most Indiana municipalities, including Evansville and Vanderburgh County, require contractors to hold a local business license to operate legally. Ask for the contractor's business license number and verify it with the city.
Contractor registration: Indiana requires home improvement contractors to register with the state if they perform work over $150. Verify registration at the Indiana Secretary of State's business search.
Manufacturer certification: While not a government license, manufacturer certifications (Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, GAF Master Elite) require contractors to meet training, insurance, and quality standards. These are meaningful credentials.
What to ask:
- "Are you licensed to do business in Evansville/Vanderburgh County?"
- "Can you provide your business license number?"
- "Are you registered as a home improvement contractor with the state of Indiana?"
Insurance: The Non-Negotiable Requirement
This is where the real risk lies. Every roofing contractor you hire must carry two types of insurance — and you should verify both before work begins.
General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance covers property damage caused by the contractor during the project. If a crew member drops a ladder through your window, backs a truck into your fence, or damages your landscaping, the contractor's general liability policy pays for it.
Without general liability insurance: You file a claim against your own homeowner's policy (paying your deductible) or pursue the contractor directly — which is difficult if they are a small operation or out-of-state storm chaser.
Minimum coverage: $1,000,000 per occurrence is standard for residential roofing. Ask for a certificate of insurance (COI) naming you as the certificate holder.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Workers' compensation covers medical expenses and lost wages for workers injured on your property. Roofing is one of the most dangerous trades — falls from roofs are a leading cause of construction fatalities.
Without workers' comp: If a worker is injured on your roof and the contractor does not carry workers' comp, you may be personally liable for their medical bills and lost wages under Indiana law. This is not a hypothetical — it happens.
How to verify: Ask for a certificate of insurance specifically showing workers' compensation coverage. The certificate should show the policy is current (not expired).
Subcontractors: Many roofing companies use subcontractors. Ask whether subcontractors are covered under the prime contractor's workers' comp policy or carry their own. If subcontractors are not covered, your exposure is the same as if the prime contractor had no coverage.
How to Verify Insurance
Do not accept verbal assurances. Request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) directly from the contractor's insurance agent — not a copy the contractor provides. A legitimate contractor will have no problem with this request.
The COI should show:
- The contractor's legal business name
- General liability coverage (minimum $1M per occurrence)
- Workers' compensation coverage
- Policy expiration dates (must be current)
Call the insurance company listed on the certificate to verify the policy is active. This takes five minutes and eliminates any risk of a fraudulent certificate.
Red Flags: Signs of an Unqualified Contractor
Demands large upfront payment: A deposit of 10–30% is normal. Demanding 50% or more upfront — especially before materials are delivered — is a red flag. Storm chasers often collect large deposits and disappear.
No physical address: A legitimate roofing company has a local office or at least a verifiable business address. A contractor who only provides a cell phone number and a P.O. box is a risk.
Pressure to sign immediately: "This price is only good today" is a sales tactic, not a legitimate business practice. A reputable contractor will give you time to review the contract and compare estimates.
Unusually low bid: If one estimate is 30–40% lower than others, ask why. It may mean lower-quality materials, unlicensed subcontractors, or a contractor who plans to cut corners.
Offers to waive your deductible: In Indiana, it is illegal for a contractor to waive, absorb, or rebate an insurance deductible. A contractor who offers to do this is committing insurance fraud — and you could be implicated.
Out-of-state plates and no local presence: After a major storm, contractors arrive from hundreds of miles away. Some do good work. Many do not. A contractor with no local presence has no reputation to protect and no accountability if problems arise after they leave.
Cannot provide references: Any established contractor should be able to provide references from recent local jobs. Ask for three references and call them.
What Rock's Roofs Provides
Rock's Roofs is a fully licensed and insured roofing contractor based in Evansville, Indiana. We have been serving the Tri-State area for years and have a permanent local presence — we are not going anywhere.
Our credentials:
- Licensed to operate in Evansville and Vanderburgh County
- General liability insurance: $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Workers' compensation insurance covering all employees and subcontractors
- Owens Corning Preferred Contractor
- GAF certified installer
- BBB accredited
We provide certificates of insurance to any homeowner who requests them — no questions asked.
Call (812) 459-2139 or request a free estimate.
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Written by
Ryan Gamblin
Content creator and writer sharing insights and stories.
