Back to products

Specialty CGL Program · Hot Roofing

Liability for hot roofing contractors. Built for the risk.

One of the longest-standing hot roofing CGL programs in Canada. Standard markets close the door on torch-down, BUR, modified bitumen, and hot-mop work — we’ve been writing it for decades, with broad in-house underwriting authority and A-rated Canadian paper.

Available Canada-wide · excluding Quebec
Scroll for details

Standard markets won’t write hot work.

Insurers know what one bad fire loss looks like on a hot roofing CGL portfolio. The result: blanket roofing restrictions, hot-work exclusions added to standard CGL wording, or accounts non-renewed entirely — even on profitable operations with clean loss histories. Brokers chasing hot roofing CGL in Canada often hit the same wall, account after account.

Excluded

Most standard CGL wordings restrict or exclude torch-down, hot-mop, and built-up roofing operations.

Hard Market

The few markets that do quote often non-renew after a single loss, leaving brokers without a backup.

Specialty

Hot roofing belongs with an MGA that understands the work — not a general-appetite carrier.

The Chutter Program

A dedicated hot roofing CGL program decades in the making.

Chutter operates one of the longest-standing hot roofing insurance programs in Canada. We’ve been quoting torch-down, built-up (BUR), modified bitumen, and hot-mop roofing contractors for decades — through hard markets and soft — with broad in-house authority and Canadian-licensed A-rated paper.

Pair the CGL with excess and umbrella for layered programs — under the same roof.

Hot roofing methods we quote.

If it involves open flame or hot materials on the roof, we’ve probably written it. Methods our underwriters are comfortable with:

Torch-down / Modified BitumenPropane-torched membrane application — SBS and APP-modified bitumen systems.
Built-Up Roofing (BUR)Multi-ply asphalt and felt systems applied with hot asphalt and kettles.
Hot-Mop ApplicationsHot asphalt mopping for membrane and waterproofing work.
Mixed-Scope RoofersOperations doing hot work alongside cold-applied, single-ply, metal, and shingle.
Commercial & IndustrialFlat-roof commercial, industrial, institutional — the natural home of hot work.
Subcontracted WorkHot roofing performed under the insured’s direction by qualified subcontractors.

Final eligibility, limits, and pricing are subject to underwriting and the terms of the issued policy.

Submission checklist.

A complete submission gets a faster, sharper quote. The more we know up front, the less back-and-forth.

Required

  • Completed Roofing Contractors application
  • 5 years of loss runs (or a no-loss letter)
  • Revenue split: hot work vs. cold / other roofing
  • Geographic footprint — provinces of operation

Strongly Helpful

  • Fire-watch and torch-safety procedures
  • Subcontractor controls & certificate requirements
  • Equipment list (torches, kettles, etc.) and maintenance
  • Largest single-project value over the last 3 years

Send completed applications to

Specialists in the work others won’t write.

Decades of hot roofing experience

One of the longest-standing hot roofing CGL programs in Canada. We’ve underwritten the work through multiple market cycles.

In-house underwriting authority

The desk handling your file can quote it. Broad authority means real answers, fast — not a portal-driven yes / no.

A-rated Canadian paper

Licensed Canadian capacity from A-rated insurers, backing every risk we write.

Pair with excess & umbrella

Stand-alone and follow-form excess available for layered programs on larger operations.

Coverage Canada-wide

Brokers in every province except Quebec — coast to coast, one MGA.

Relationship-driven

30 years of independent ownership. Renewals don’t evaporate after a loss — we work with you.

Hot roofing CGL — common questions.

What is hot roofing and why is it hard to insure?

Hot roofing covers any roofing method involving open flame or hot materials on the roof — torch-down membrane (modified bitumen), built-up roofing (BUR) with hot asphalt, and hot-mop applications. Because of the fire risk, most standard commercial general liability markets restrict or exclude hot work entirely, leaving brokers without a clear placement option.

Does Chutter Underwriting write CGL for hot roofing contractors?

Yes. Chutter operates one of the longest-standing hot roofing insurance programs in Canada. We write Commercial General Liability for torch-down, built-up (BUR), modified bitumen, and hot-mop roofing contractors with broad in-house underwriting authority.

What information do you need to quote a hot roofing risk?

We typically need a completed Roofing Contractors application, a breakdown of revenue by roofing method (hot work vs. cold), five years of loss runs, details on fire-watch and torch-safety protocols, subcontractor controls, and the operation’s geographic footprint.

Which provinces are covered?

Chutter writes commercial insurance for brokers across Canada except Quebec — including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and the Atlantic provinces.

Can you add excess or umbrella liability over the CGL?

Yes. Chutter writes stand-alone and follow-form excess and umbrella over commercial casualty placements, including layered programs for larger hot roofing operations.

Hot roofing risk on your desk?

Send it to the casualty team and we’ll come back fast with a real answer. Email the desk, download the application, or submit through the contact form.

Casualty Desk liability@chutteruw.com Toll-Free 1-888-382-6697