Will Roof Cleaning Company’s Insurance Cover Roof Damage?

If you’re thinking about having your roof cleaned, this question is smart — but honestly, it’s a question with a few terms and conditions 

If you’re asking yourself

“If something gets damaged during roof cleaning… will their insurance actually pay for the repairs?”

Because it's common for a contractor to advertise “we’re insured” which sounds reassuring… but it doesn’t always mean what people think it means.

In this article I want to give you the plain English break down the different terminologies roof cleaning insurance covers so you’re equipped with some questions to ask a roof cleaning contractor. 

You will also see where our insurance sits when it comes to roof cleaning insurance too!

Why Cleaning Method Matters Before Roof Cleaning Starts

A roof isn’t like a very tough block paved driveway.

It’s not a solid slab you can just “blast clean”.

Roofs are made up of lots of separate components — tiles, ridges, mortar, flashing — and many of them are already aging by the time you think about cleaning.

So even with a careful contractor, the real question becomes:

Is your roof suitable to be cleaned — and is the method being used appropriate?

Insurance is important… but it’s not the first line of defence. The method is.

What Insurance Do Roof Cleaning Companies Usually Have?

Most professional exterior cleaning and roof cleaning companies will have Public Liability Insurance typically covered up to £5,000,000.

That’s the basic “must have” cover in this industry.

Providing their insurance covers the contractor for working at height, typically up to 15 meters and should include either roof cleaning or pressure washing in the policy wording if this is the base method of cleaning.

Public liability as its related to roof cleaning normally covers things like:

• A tile or piece of debris falling and breaking a conservatory panel
• A hose damaging a window
• A stone flicking up and cracking glass
• Someone tripping over equipment
  
  

So far so good.

But here’s the catch…

The Key Detail: “Does It Cover the Roof Itself?”

A lot of policies include a line that (in one form or another) means:

Damage to the item being worked on may not be covered.

Insurers often call this: “Property being worked upon” (or “working upon” cover)

And it’s a big deal.

Because in roof cleaning…

The roof is literally the thing being worked on.

Simple Examples (Because This Is Where People Get Caught Out)

Example 1: Third-party damage (often covered)

A contractor is cleaning your roof. A bit of debris drops and cracks your conservatory roof or your neighbours.

Conservatory damage is often covered in this case because it’s damaging the property but not directly the surface being worked upon. 

Example 2: Damage to the surface being cleaned (sometimes NOT covered)

A contractor cleans a roof and the cleaning process disturbs mortar, or causes surface damage.

Roof damage may not be covered because it’s the surface they were actually working on.

This is the “wait… what?” moment for most homeowners.

Personal take on the above: (as an exterior cleaner - not an insurer!)

Because the exterior cleaning industry is largely unregulated, insurers naturally recognise that experience levels, methods, and technical understanding can vary significantly between contractors.

Insurance policies are therefore structured around defined risks and policy wording, typically focusing on accidental damage and unforeseen events rather than guaranteeing outcomes related to the cleaning process itself.

This is why the most important factor for homeowners is not simply whether a contractor is insured, but whether the contractor understands roof condition, material behaviour, and appropriate cleaning techniques to minimise risk in the first place.

Why Roof Cleaning Can Reveal Problems That Were Already There

Here’s another thing that matters:

Many roofs are absolutely covered in moss and organic growth because they’ve had no maintenance for years.

We commonly clean roofs that are 20,30,40+ years old

Moss doesn’t just sit on top — it grows into:

• small cracks
• mortar gaps
• ridge joints
  
  

So sometimes, once a roof is cleaned, you can finally see what condition it’s really in.

If you were not fully aware of this it can naturally lead to feelings that “The cleaning caused the problem.”

When in reality a roof that is suffering from moss and is heavily stained - once cleaned often just reveals the true condition of the roof.

Roof cleaning Insurance or Cleaning Method?

Ideally you would want both

A contractor with adequate insurance coverage and using the right method to clean your roof.

But if we’re being honest:

The cleaning method matters more than the insurance

Insurance is there for genuine accidents and worst-case scenarios against genuine accidents.

But the best roof clean is the one that avoids damage in the first place.

That’s why proper roof cleaning should always start with:

• An on site visit 
• Identifying tile type and condition
• Choosing the safest appropriate method
• While cleaning, adjusting technique for fragile areas

Questions to ask a Roof Cleaning Company (about their insurance)

Because we understand that public liabilities insurance can be surface level, and might not cover the job being undertaken

Here are some good questions to ask:

✅ “Does your policy cover damage to the roof being cleaned (property being worked upon)?”
✅ “What roof cleaning method will you use on my roof, and why?”
✅ “Will you assess the roof first and tell me if it’s not suitable?”

✅ “How will you clean delicate areas of the roof during cleaning?”

✅ “Will you let me know if there is any damage or areas that require attention after the cleaning?”

A professional contractor hopefully shouldn't get defensive. They’ll appreciate the questions especially if you are educated about the roof cleaning process as a whole with the risks and benefits that come with roof cleaning.

Squeaky Solihull’s roof cleaning insurance

We have a public liabilities insurance coverage that covers us up to £5,000,000

It covers our small team of employees and subcontractors should we need to hire in different access equipment 

Our insurance covers for accidental damage to property, but it does not cover the surface being worked on. 

Simply that means if we were cleaning a tile and the tile breaks or is damaged as a result of us cleaning - the insurance does not cover this.

(If truly do cause damage to your home as a result of our methods, we are here to accept responsibility if we are genuinely at fault.)

We believe that understanding the current condition of the roof and choosing the correct method of cleaning is the best way to go. Giving you all the information up front so you are empowered to make an informed decision about your roof cleaning 

It’s important to highlight that roof cleaning always carries a risk - and the process often reveals the true condition of your roof after the cleaning.