Workers Comp Insurance for Roofers in Georgia: Requirements and Average Costs

Georgia requires workers compensation coverage for roofing contractors with three or more employees. The Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation (SBWC) administers the system, and enforcement includes stop-work orders and penalties for non-compliant roofing operations. Given the fall and heat exposure in roofing work, workers comp is one of the most important policies a Georgia roofing business carries.

Quick Answer

Estimated workers comp premiums for Georgia roofing contractors:

Business Size	Annual Premium Range
1 to 3 employees	$6,000 to $14,000 per year
4 to 10 employees	$14,000 to $33,000 per year
10 to 25 employees	$33,000 to $75,000 per year

Georgia roofing workers comp premiums are lower than New York and California but higher than Texas due to Georgia's mandatory coverage requirements and the inherent fall exposure in roofing work. Atlanta metro roofing companies typically pay more than rural Georgia contractors due to higher wage rates.

Georgia Workers Comp Threshold for Roofing

Georgia's workers comp requirement (OCGA Title 34, Chapter 9) applies to employers with three or more employees, including corporate officers who are working. Unlike states like New York, Georgia has a three-employee threshold rather than a one-employee trigger.

Key points:

• Count all employees, including part-time and seasonal workers
• Corporate officers are counted as employees unless they file an exclusion
• Sole proprietors and partners are not covered automatically but can elect coverage

Subcontractors: Georgia applies an employment test to subcontractors. If you hire uninsured subcontractors, their payroll may be included in your premium calculation at audit. The Georgia SBWC holds contractors responsible for ensuring their subcontractors carry coverage.

What Workers Comp Covers for Georgia Roofers

Medical Benefits

All medically necessary treatment through an authorized physician. Georgia workers comp uses a panel of physicians and requires the employee to select from the employer's posted medical panel. Treatment outside the panel is not covered except in emergencies.

Temporary Total Disability

Two-thirds (66.67%) of the average weekly wage, subject to Georgia's state weekly maximum. TTD benefits are limited to 400 weeks in Georgia for most injuries.

Permanent Partial Disability

Scheduled benefits for specific body parts based on the impairment rating and the employee's average weekly wage at the time of injury.

Death Benefits

Surviving dependents receive ongoing weekly benefits and burial expenses up to the statutory limit.

Common Roofing Injuries in Georgia

• Falls from roofs and ladders (leading cause of fatality and serious injury)
• Heat illness during Georgia's long, hot summer season
• Injuries from nail guns and roofing tools
• Back and knee injuries from carrying shingles and working on pitched surfaces
• Chemical burns from roofing adhesives and solvents
• Eye injuries from debris and UV exposure

Georgia's climate creates extended exposure to heat throughout the summer. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are meaningful workers comp claims for outdoor roofing crews working in Atlanta, Savannah, and throughout the state.

How Georgia Premiums Are Calculated

NCCI class code 5551: roofing work in Georgia is classified under NCCI code 5551, one of the highest-rate construction codes.

Payroll-based premium: calculated per $100 of roofing employee payroll at the applicable state rate.

Experience modifier: after three years of qualifying premium, NCCI assigns an experience modifier. Clean loss history reduces premiums.

Subcontractor certificates: require current certificates from every subcontractor. Carry-forward of uninsured sub payroll at audit is a common surprise for roofing contractors.

Georgia Roofing License and Insurance Requirements

The Georgia Secretary of State licenses residential and commercial specialty contractors, including roofers, through the Georgia State Licensing Board. Roofing contractors in Georgia need a license for most residential work above $2,500. License applications require proof of general liability insurance and workers comp (if the threshold of three employees is met).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Georgia require workers comp if I only have two roofing employees?

Georgia's three-employee threshold means two employees fall below the mandatory requirement. However, most commercial general contractors and roofing contracts require workers comp regardless of your employee count. Carrying coverage even below the threshold protects you from civil liability if an employee is injured.

How do I verify a Georgia subcontractor's workers comp?

The Georgia SBWC provides an online verification tool on their website. Verify that the certificate is current and that the policy is in force before the subcontractor starts work. Expired certificates are common in roofing, and a lapsed policy can result in premium audit additions.

What is Georgia's medical panel requirement?

Georgia workers comp requires employers to post a panel of at least six physicians (including specialists) from which injured employees can select their authorized treating physician. Failure to post a proper medical panel can result in the employee choosing their own physician at the employer's expense.

Can Georgia roofing corporate officers exclude themselves from workers comp?

Yes. Georgia corporate officers can file a corporate officer exclusion with the SBWC. An excluded officer is not covered for work-related injuries and is not counted in the employee total for the three-employee threshold.

A roofing crew member fell and is in the hospital. What do I do?

Report the injury to your insurer immediately. Under Georgia law, the employer must report lost-time injuries within 21 days to the SBWC. Provide the employee with your medical panel so they can select their treating physician. Your carrier will assign a claims handler to manage the process.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance or legal advice. Requirements and premiums vary by carrier and individual circumstances. Consult a licensed insurance agent for guidance specific to your situation.

Sources

• Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation
• Georgia Workers' Compensation Act (OCGA Title 34, Chapter 9)
• Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
• NCCI