Not automatically. Your policy is written for your business, and subcontractors are generally expected to carry their own insurance. Your policy may respond to claims against you that arise from work you subcontracted, depending on its wording, but it usually will not protect the subcontractor's own business. That is why contractors collect certificates and workers compensation clearances from their subs.
General information only, not legal or insurance advice. Rules change; confirm with the regulator or agency named on this page, a lawyer for your specific situation, and your broker.
Why Subs Need Their Own Coverage
A subcontractor is a separate business. Its trucks, its workers and its mistakes are its own risk. If a sub has no insurance and causes a claim, the injured person or your client may look to you. Some insurers also ask whether you collect certificates from subcontractors, and your answer can affect how they view your business.
What Contractors Commonly Ask Subs For
- their own general liability without a snow and ice exclusion
- auto liability for their plow trucks
- your business, and often your client, named as additional insured
- a certificate of insurance before work starts
- workers compensation clearance
Workers Compensation Is a Separate Risk
Provincial boards can hold a hiring business responsible for a contractor's unpaid premiums in some situations. In Ontario, a WSIB clearance waives that liability for the certificate's validity period, up to 90 days. WorkSafeBC, WCB Alberta and WCB Saskatchewan each recommend clearances too. WCB Saskatchewan says an unregistered contractor is considered a worker of the principal. See hiring subcontractors safely.
Ask Your Broker
- How does my policy treat claims arising from work done by subcontractors?
- What minimum insurance should I require from subs?
- Does my policy have any condition requiring me to collect certificates?
If you work as a subcontractor yourself, see snow removal subcontractors. To keep track of your subs' paperwork, use the subcontractor certificate tracker.
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Sources
- WSIB: Clearance certificate policy
- WorkSafeBC: Why get a clearance letter
- WCB Alberta: Clearance letters
- WCB Saskatchewan: Letters of good standing and clearances
Frequently Asked Questions
Do snow removal subcontractors need their own insurance?
Hiring contractors commonly require it, because a sub is a separate business and your policy usually does not protect it.
Can I add my subcontractor to my policy?
Ask your broker. The usual approach is for subs to carry their own coverage and name you as additional insured.
What happens if an uninsured sub causes a claim?
The claim may come to you or your client. Your own policy may or may not respond, depending on its wording.