Workers Comp Class Code 5551 — Roofing ContractorsNew York
Installation, repair, and replacement of roofing systems including shingles, flat roofing, metal roofing, and waterproofing on residential and commercial buildings in New York.
How Have New York Workers Comp Rates Changed Over the Last 5 Years?
Source: NYCIRB loss cost rates. Actual carrier rates may vary.
How Much Does New York Workers Comp Cost for This Class Code?
⚠️ Pre-Underwriting Estimate: This is a preliminary estimate only. Final premium can change based on underwriting results, loss history, OSHA records, and carrier approval.
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What Jobs Are Covered Under This New York Class Code?
- ▸ Roofer
- ▸ Roofing laborer
- ▸ Flat roofer
- ▸ Shingle installer
- ▸ Roofing foreman
What Are the Top Injury Risks for This New York Class Code?
- ⚠ Falls from roofs — the #1 cause of construction fatalities in New York State
- ⚠ Heat stress from working on dark roofing surfaces in summer (surface temps 150–180°F)
- ⚠ Nail gun injuries during shingle installation
- ⚠ Struck by falling materials on multi-story projects
- ⚠ Electrical hazards from proximity to power lines during ladder setup
What Does a Real Workers Comp Claim Look Like for This New York Class?
A Suffolk County roofer falls 22 feet from a residential roof while installing architectural shingles — traumatic brain injury, spinal fractures, and permanent disability resulted in a $1.2 million workers comp award under NY's Scaffold Law (Labor Law Section 240). NY's Scaffold Law imposes absolute liability on contractors and property owners for gravity-related injuries, meaning there is no comparative negligence defense — the full cost falls on the workers comp carrier regardless of worker fault.
Why Does a PEO Make Sense for New York Workers Comp in This Class?
Roofing contractors in NY face the highest workers comp rates of any construction trade — $19.56/100 — combined with the Scaffold Law's absolute liability standard that eliminates any defense to gravity-related injury claims. Standard carriers in NY have largely exited the roofing market for small contractors, leaving PEO group workers comp programs as the primary path to affordable coverage. PEO programs pool roofing payroll across dozens of contractors, spread the catastrophic fall risk, and provide coverage that includes Scaffold Law exposure — often the only option for a roofing contractor with fewer than 20 employees.
NY Rate Context
NY roofing rates at $19.56/100 are the highest of all major construction trades in New York and 52% above the national NCCI average for roofing. The gap is driven by three NY-specific factors: (1) the Scaffold Law's absolute liability standard, which eliminates comparative negligence and inflates average claim costs; (2) NY's maximum weekly benefit of $1,145, which is among the highest in the nation; and (3) the concentration of multi-story flat-roof work in NYC, which creates fall exposure that doesn't exist in most other states.