Snow Removal Contractors Insurance
Snow removal contractors help keep roads, parking lots, sidewalks, driveways, and other properties accessible during winter weather. However, operating vehicles and heavy equipment in snow and ice can expose a business to accidents, property damage, injuries, equipment losses, and liability claims.
Snow removal contractors insurance can help protect your business from certain risks associated with plowing, shoveling, salting, sanding, and deicing. Whether you operate seasonally, provide snow removal as part of a landscaping business, or manage multiple crews and vehicles, coverage can be tailored to your operations.
Who May Need Snow Removal Contractors Insurance?
Coverage may be appropriate for businesses and professionals such as:
- Independent snowplow operators
- Commercial snow removal companies
- Residential snow removal contractors
- Landscaping and lawn care businesses
- Property maintenance companies
- Parking lot maintenance contractors
- Sidewalk shoveling and deicing services
- Municipal snow removal subcontractors
The appropriate insurance may depend on the services provided, types of properties serviced, number of employees, subcontractor usage, vehicle ownership, equipment values, and whether snow removal is performed seasonally or throughout the winter.
Common Snow Removal Insurance Coverages
General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance may help protect your business against certain third-party bodily injury and property damage claims. For example, a plow could damage a customer’s fence, landscaping, or parked vehicle. A customer or visitor could also allege that improper snow or ice removal contributed to a slip-and-fall injury.
Property managers, homeowners associations, businesses, and government entities may require proof of liability insurance before awarding a snow removal contract.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Snow removal contractors often use pickup trucks, dump trucks, and other vehicles equipped with plows or salt spreaders. Commercial auto insurance may provide liability and physical damage coverage for qualifying business-owned vehicles.
The insurer should be informed that a vehicle is used for snow removal. A personal auto policy may exclude commercial plowing activities, and attached equipment may require additional or separate coverage.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Employees may experience falls, strains, cold-weather injuries, vehicle accidents, or equipment-related injuries while removing snow. Workers’ compensation insurance may help provide medical and wage-replacement benefits to qualifying employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. Requirements vary by state.
Tools and Equipment Coverage
Plows, snow blowers, salt spreaders, skid steers, loaders, and other specialized equipment can be costly to repair or replace. Contractors’ tools and equipment coverage, sometimes provided through inland marine insurance, may help protect qualifying equipment against certain covered losses at a jobsite, in transit, or while temporarily stored elsewhere.
Commercial Umbrella or Excess Liability Insurance
Commercial umbrella or excess liability insurance may provide additional limits above certain underlying liability policies. Higher limits may be appropriate or contractually required when servicing large commercial properties, apartment communities, or municipal locations.
Snow Removal Contractors Insurance FAQs
How much does snow removal contractor insurance cost?
Costs vary based on annual revenue, payroll, services provided, properties serviced, claims history, vehicles, equipment values, coverage limits, and other risk factors.
Does general liability insurance cover slip-and-fall claims?
General liability insurance may cover certain qualifying claims alleging that a contractor’s work contributed to an injury. Coverage depends on the circumstances and the policy’s terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions.
Does commercial auto insurance cover an attached snowplow?
Coverage for an attached plow depends on the policy and how the equipment is listed. Contractors should disclose all plowing activities and equipment to their insurance professional.
Does an insurance policy cover every snow removal accident?
No. Every policy contains conditions, limits, and exclusions. Contractors should review their coverage carefully and make sure their insurer has accurate information about their services, vehicles, equipment, and contracts.
