What Insurance Should Your Snow Removal Contractor Carry?

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Insurance is one of the most important things to check before signing a snow removal contract, yet it's also one of the easiest to overlook when you're focused on price and service schedule. A contractor's coverage directly affects your business's exposure if something goes wrong.

General liability insurance is the baseline requirement. This covers claims arising from the contractor's work, such as a slip-and-fall on a poorly cleared walkway or property damage from a plow. Most commercial leases and property insurance policies require tenants to work only with contractors who carry adequate liability coverage, often with a minimum amount specified.

Commercial auto insurance matters too, since plow trucks and salt spreaders are vehicles operating on your property and the surrounding roads. A contractor without proper auto coverage on their equipment creates risk if a vehicle causes damage or an accident while servicing your lot.

Ask for a certificate of insurance naming your business, not just a verbal assurance that coverage exists. A legitimate contractor should be able to provide this without hesitation, and many commercial clients require it as a standard part of onboarding a new vendor before the first snowfall.

Why Coverage Matters More in Winter

Snow removal happens on your property, often in the dark, on ice, with heavy equipment close to cars, garage doors, curbs and people. If something goes wrong, the question of who pays comes down to the contractor's insurance. A contractor without proper coverage can leave the property owner exposed, both for damage to the property and for injuries to workers. That is why insurance should be one of the first things you confirm, not an afterthought once the season has started.

Workplace Coverage: WSIB

Liability insurance protects against damage and third-party claims, but it does not cover the contractor's own workers. In Ontario, that is the role of WSIB. If a worker is hurt on your driveway or lot and the company is not registered, questions about who is responsible can become complicated. Ask any contractor whether they are WSIB registered and whether they can show proof of it.

What Thames Valley Snow Carries

Thames Valley Snow carries $2,000,000 in liability coverage and is WSIB registered. Certificates of insurance are available on request, and commercial clients can be added as an additional insured. We are also a member of the London Property Management Association (LPMA). After every visit we send a timestamped photo, so there is a record of when the property was cleared and what it looked like.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign

• What is your liability limit, and can you send a certificate?
• Can my business be named as an additional insured?
• Are you WSIB registered?
• What record do I get after each visit?

Residential Clients Need This Too

Insurance is not only a commercial concern. A plow working a driveway can catch a garden edge, a curb or a parked car, and a worker can slip on a set of icy steps. Homeowners should ask the same questions a property manager would. Before the season starts, we mark edges, steps and drains on each property so crews can see them under snow, which helps reduce the chance of damage in the first place. If you want a copy of our certificate for your records, just ask when you book.

FAQ

Can a homeowner ask for a certificate of insurance?

Yes. Certificates are available on request for residential and commercial clients alike.

Does an additional insured cost extra?

Additional insured status is available for commercial clients. Ask for it when you request your quote, and it will be included in the written quote, usually within 2 business days.

Want a fixed price for your property? Request a free quote or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read more about commercial snow removal and service for property managers.

What's included… and what's extra

A Thames Valley Snow seasonal residential plan starts from $650 for a standard driveway. It covers clearing the driveway every time snowfall reaches the trigger depth in your agreement, plus the windrow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Larger driveways are priced on our snow removal prices page.

Popular add-ons, priced per season: walkway and steps $150–175, salting $175, priority service $125, pet-safe salt $120, driveway extension $95 and city sidewalk clearing $90. Add only what your property needs; everything is listed on the quote so there are no surprises. Get your fixed price or call or text (548) 888-8702.