Markham combines residential routes with office parks, tech campuses and large retail plazas across one of York Region's biggest cities. Environment and Climate Change Canada's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the Toronto Buttonville Airport station record an average of about 146 cm of snowfall a year, with about 8 days a year bringing 5 cm or more of new snow. Every storm puts plow trucks on the road in poor visibility, often before sunrise.
A pickup with a blade, a one ton with a spreader, or a dump truck hauling snow is a working vehicle. We connect Markham contractors with licensed Ontario brokers who insure plow trucks and fleets every season.
What Plow Truck Insurance Usually Involves
Plow truck insurance is commercial auto coverage written for a vehicle used in snow removal. Brokers typically look at:
- Liability for injuries and damage to other people's vehicles and property while the truck is being driven, including backing and plowing on a client's lot.
- Collision and comprehensive for damage to your own truck.
- The plow blade, spreader and other attachments. Some policies treat mounted equipment as part of the vehicle and others need it listed separately or covered under equipment insurance.
- Drivers. Who drives, their records, and whether employees or subcontractors use your trucks. See hired and non owned auto.
The key point: tell your insurer the truck is used for plowing. A personal policy written for commuting may not contemplate paid snow removal. See personal vs commercial auto for plowing.
Ontario Rules for Plow Trucks
Ontario's Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act requires insurance on every vehicle driven on public roads, with a legal minimum of $200,000 in third party liability. Heavier trucks bring extra rules: a Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) is generally required for trucks with a registered gross weight over 4,500 kg, and those trucks need annual inspections. The personal use pickup exemption from CVOR only applies when the truck is not used for pay and has a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,500 kg or less, so it does not cover paid plowing. Read Ontario commercial auto requirements for plow trucks.
Local Rules That Affect Plow Trucks in Markham
Snow on the road. The City asks residents not to blow or push snow back onto the road.
City plowing. Arterial and primary roads are salted and plowed to bare pavement around the clock; local roads are plowed at 7.5 cm, which takes about 16 hours.
For contractors. A Windrow Removal Service for qualifying residents (60+ or with disabilities) clears one car width within about four hours after street plowing, after 7.5 cm of snow. Markham's Licensing, Permit and Service Fees By-law 2012-137 does not list snow plow contractors.
Municipal rules change. Confirm the current bylaw with the City before relying on it.
Related Coverage for Markham Plow Operators
- Snow removal liability insurance in Markham
- Salting and ice management insurance in Markham
- Commercial auto and fleet insurance
- Snow hauling and dump truck insurance
- Insurance for pickup trucks with plows
General information only, not insurance or legal advice. Coverage depends on your policy wording; a licensed broker can review your operation.
Sources: City of Markham: Winter road services; City of Markham: By-law 2012-137 fees; Environment and Climate Change Canada: Canadian Climate Normals
SnowPlowInsurance.ca is an independent referral service, not an insurance company or broker. We connect you with licensed brokers who provide quotes and advice. How this site works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need commercial insurance to plow snow with my truck in Markham?
If you plow for pay, tell your insurer. A policy written for personal use may not contemplate business use, and a licensed Ontario broker can confirm how your truck should be insured.
Is my plow blade covered by my auto policy?
It depends on the insurer and policy. Some include mounted equipment and others need it scheduled separately or covered under an equipment floater, so ask your broker to confirm.
What happens if my plow damages a parked car in Markham?
Damage caused while operating a licensed truck is generally an auto insurance matter. Report it to your insurer or broker promptly. See what happens if your plow damages a car.