Snow Removal Insurance: What You Need To Know This Winter

The weather is still pleasant, but the first day of autumn (September 22) is approaching, and it won’t be long before temperatures drop and winter will be upon us.

Now is the ideal time for snow removal contractors in Canada to prepare for winter by securing a comprehensive snow removal insurance policy.

However, finding the right snow removal insurance coverage to protect your contracting business from liability can be challenging.

The 2025 Zensurance Small Business Confidence Index survey of 1,000 Canadian small business owners found that a majority of respondents (49.2%) cited the cost of commercial insurance premiums as their biggest concern when purchasing insurance, followed by 24% who reported difficulty in obtaining customized coverage.

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Many Canadian insurers limit or stop offering snow removal insurance policies by late autumn due to high liability risks and limited underwriting capacity. Snow removal contractors are advised to purchase insurance early while coverage options are still widely available.

Snow removal contractors in Canada must also navigate varying provincial and municipal regulations regarding liability insurance, licensing, equipment use, and snow disposal.

Let’s review what type of insurance snow removal professionals require, the steps they can take to reduce accidents and injuries, and ways to keep premiums low.

What Is Snow Removal Insurance for Contractors in Canada?

Snow removal insurance, also referred to as snowplow insurance or snow removal liability insurance, is a specialized form of commercial liability insurance designed for contractors.

It is tailored for businesses and independent contractors offering snow and ice management services, including plowing, snow blowing, shovelling, de-icing, and salting.

Due to the high-risk nature of snow removal work, this insurance protects contractors against lawsuits, injury claims, and property damage costs.

A snow removal insurance policy package typically contains the following types of coverage:

• General liability insurance covers third-party bodily injuries and third-party property damage caused by your operations.

• Commercial auto insurance covers damages to snowplows, other vehicles, or injuries to people if involved in a collision. 

• Tools and equipment insurance covers repairing or replacing damaged or stolen transportable tools and equipment.

• Equipment breakdown insurance covers repairs for internal damages to equipment and computers caused by sudden and unexpected mechanical or electrical malfunctions

• Commercial property insurance protects business properties, offices, or warehouses and a business’s contents and inventory if damaged by fire, water, a natural disaster, theft, or vandalism.

• Business interruption insurance covers lost income and operational overhead if a snow removal business is forced to close its doors temporarily for repairs following an insurable loss, such as a fire that damages a business property (Note: a business owner must have commercial property insurance to include business interruption insurance in a policy).

• Pollution liability insurance covers environmental-related damage claims that are caused by de-icing chemicals, road salt, or fuel and hydraulic fluid spills from snow removal vehicles.

What Liability Risks Do Snow Removal Contractors Have?

Insurers consider snow removal services high-risk due to the numerous accidents, injuries, and property damages. Among the common risks snow removal professionals face are:

• Slip-and-fall accidents. Snow-covered roads, icy walkways, and parking lots can lead to injury claims from customers and pedestrians.

• Property damage. Snow removal can inadvertently cause damage to third-party properties, including driveways, landscaping, and vehicles.

• Environmental liability. Road salt and de-icing chemicals used during snow removal services can contaminate soil or water, potentially leading to environmental damage and claims.

• Equipment costs. Snow removal contractors require specialized equipment and vehicles, which can be costly to repair or replace.

• Geographical factors. The cost of snow removal insurance varies based on your location. Areas with heavy snowfall and frequent storms may have higher insurance costs due to increased risk.

11 Safety Tips for Snow Removal Contractors

Here are 11 recommended tips for safely providing snow removal services that contractors should consider:

1. Identify hazards

Identify and assess hazards on properties before beginning work. Take all possible steps to eliminate or minimize them.

2. Pile snow in safe locations

When melting occurs, large piles of snow can flood properties, create run-off problems, and re-freeze during freeze-thaw cycles. Choose areas to pile plowed snow where there is less of a chance of that occurring, and be careful not to pile snow in spots that restrict or obscure the view of motorists.

3. Do routine checks of snowplow equipment

Ensure your vehicle and snow removal equipment are in tip-top shape by regularly inspecting them and addressing any issues promptly. Inspect your vehicle and equipment before and after each shift, and have winter tires installed on vehicles from November to May.

4. Maintain accurate log books of operations

Always accurately document and maintain records of your work on customer properties. Include before and after photos, the time and date when you applied your services, what actions you took on the property, record weather conditions, and any incidents that occur while on site.

5. Wear proper clothing and footwear

Dress in layers and wear quality footwear and high-visibility safety clothing when working in high-traffic areas, especially during early mornings, evenings, and at night. 

6. Don’t work while fatigued

Working while tired leads to making mistakes and potentially causing accidents and injuries. Ensure you’re fully rested before beginning work.

7. Follow the rules of the road

When clearing parking lots, streets, roads or highways, always drive defensively and follow the rules of the road. Avoid being a distracted driver when behind the wheel.

8. Use the lift-shove technique

When using a hand shovel, bend at the knees, not the back, when lifting piles of snow. Push snow away instead of lifting it if possible. Avoid overloading your shovel and lighten the load to avoid straining your body. Also, don’t throw snow over your shoulder or twist with a shovelful of heavy snow.

9. Be cautious when using snow blowers

When using a snow blower, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance and usage. Be careful where snow is directed to avoid damaging your customer’s or a third party’s property.

10. Ensure all subcontractors have insurance

If you hire subcontractors to do snow removal work during the winter, do thorough background checks on each subcontractor and require them to provide you with a valid certificate of insurance to verify their coverage.

11. Take preventative action to minimize ice forming

Apply road salt or ice melt before and after snowfalls to reduce the likelihood of ice forming on customer properties, particularly in parking lots, walkways, and stairs.

How Canadian Snow Removal Contractors Can Lower Insurance Premiums

With more frequent and costly liability claims and lawsuits associated with snow removal services in recent years, there’s been a significant increase in premiums to cover those claims, and for snow removal contractors to be considered eligible for coverage.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates that commercial liability coverage claims, which include slip-and-fall incidents on icy surfaces, increased by 108% between 2013 and 2020, rising from $2.4 billion to $5.1 billion.

While that may be out of your control, there are things you can do to keep your annual premium as low as possible, including:

• If you provide different services during the warmer months, such as landscaping, buy snow removal liability coverage annually as part of your overall policy.

• If purchasing seasonal snow removal insurance in Canada, request a free quote and secure coverage before insurers reach capacity in autumn.

• Ensure that all snowplow operators on your team are adequately trained and experienced and have clean driving and insurance claim records.

• Keep a detailed inventory of snow removal equipment, business contents, and material costs to streamline insurance claims.

• Have a risk management and business continuity plan that includes regular safety and equipment inspections, emergency response procedures, and employee training. Ensure all employees are aware of the plan and have access to it.

• Work with a lawyer to draft customer contracts and liability waivers that clearly outline your snow removal responsibilities and reduce legal risk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Snow Removal Insurance in Canada

1. What is snow removal insurance for contractors in Canada?

Snow removal insurance is a type of commercial liability insurance designed to protect snow removal contractors from risks such as property damage, slip-and-fall claims, and vehicle accidents during operations.

2. Is snow removal insurance required in Canada?

While not federally mandated, most Canadian provinces and municipalities require snow removal contractors to carry liability insurance to operate legally or bid on contracts.

3. When should snow removal contractors in Canada buy insurance?

Canadian contractors should purchase snow removal insurance before autumn, as many insurers restrict or stop offering coverage once winter approaches.

4. How much does snow removal insurance cost in Canada?

Premiums vary based on location, services offered, claims history, and equipment used, but snow removal insurance is typically higher due to the industry’s high-risk profile.

5. Can I bundle snow removal insurance and landscaping insurance?

Yes. Many contractors who offer seasonal services bundle snow removal insurance and landscaping insurance into a single, year-round commercial policy for a lower annual premium.

 6. Does snow removal insurance cover subcontractors?

Not automatically. Contractors or business owners should verify that subcontractors carry insurance.

7. Do I need snow removal insurance if I only clear residential properties?

Yes. Even residential snow removal jobs carry liability risks, and homeowners may ask to see a contractor’s proof of insurance or certificate of insurance before hiring them.

How to Get Affordable Snow Removal Insurance in 2025

Zensurance is Canada’s leading small business insurance brokerage helping protect thousands of small business owners and independent professionals across hundreds of industries, including snow removal contractors.

We can help you obtain the customized snow removal insurance coverage your snow removal operations require for the upcoming winter.

Complete our online application for a free quote in less than five minutes.

Our knowledgeable brokers will shop our partner network of more than 50 insurers to find an affordable policy that addresses your risks, tailor it to suit your requirements and issue the policy documents and a certificate of insurance in 48 hours or less.

– Updated September 3, 2025.