Toronto snow removal is dense, high traffic work. Crews clear condo driveways and underground parking ramps, retail plazas, office towers, and walkways that see thousands of pedestrians a day. That density drives risk. More foot traffic means more slip and fall exposure, and tight lots full of parked cars mean more chances for property damage.
We connect Toronto snow plow operators, snow removal companies and landscapers who plow in winter with licensed Ontario brokers who write this business.
What Toronto Snow Contractors Deal With
Freeze and thaw. Toronto winters swing above and below zero often. Melt that refreezes overnight is a common cause of slip and fall incidents, which makes salting and ice management and good records critical.
Commercial contract demands. Property managers and condo corporations in the city commonly require $5 million or more in liability, additional insured status and specific certificate wording. See insurance requirements for commercial snow contracts and umbrella liability.
Tight sites and traffic. Plowing between parked cars and into underground garages increases property damage risk to vehicles, doors and structures. Make sure your general liability and plow truck insurance are both in order.
The 60 day notice rule. Toronto contractors working on private property are covered by Ontario's snow and ice notice requirement. Read the Ontario 60 day notice guide.
Toronto Snow Removal Insurance Coverage
- Plow truck insurance in Toronto
- Snow removal liability insurance in Toronto
- Salting and ice management insurance in Toronto
- Sidewalk snow clearing insurance
- Snow removal equipment insurance
Who We Help in Toronto
- Condo and strata snow contractors
- Property management snow contractors
- Retail plaza snow contractors
- Residential snow plow contractors
- Landscapers adding snow removal
Toronto Areas and Nearby Cities
We connect contractors with brokers across the city, including Scarborough, Etobicoke and North York, and throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including Mississauga, Vaughan, Markham, Brampton and Richmond Hill.
Local Snow Facts: Toronto
Snowfall. Environment and Climate Change Canada's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the nearby Toronto Pearson Airport station record an average of about 114 cm of snowfall a year, with about 7 days a year bringing 5 cm or more of new snow.
Sidewalks. Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 719 (s. 719-2) requires every owner or occupant of a building to clear snow and ice from the adjacent sidewalk within 12 hours after snowfall ends. In practice the City clears public sidewalks once snow is 2 cm deep and has stopped falling, so residents and businesses clear adjacent sidewalks when snowfall is under 2 cm. Private walks, steps, driveways, ramps and parking spaces must be cleared within 24 hours (s. 719-4.1).
Snow on the road. Section 719-5 bars any owner, occupant or other person from moving snow or ice from private property onto a highway, sidewalk or laneway, which applies to contractors clearing driveways and lots. The City cites a $500 fine plus a $110 victim surcharge.
City plowing. Expressways are plowed at 2.5 cm, major roads and transit routes at 5 cm and residential streets at 8 cm, with a full residential round taking about 14 hours.
For contractors. The City's windrow clearing program opens 3 m driveway windrows on eligible residential streets, targeted within about two hours of road plowing. Council reviewed sidewalk clearing requirements in 2025, so check the City page for changes.
Municipal rules and service levels change. Confirm the current bylaw with the municipality before relying on it.
Sources: City of Toronto: Clearing snow and ice from your property; Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 719; City of Toronto: Salting and plowing roads; Environment and Climate Change Canada: Canadian Climate Normals
Plan Ahead for the Season
Toronto commercial contracts are often awarded in late summer and early fall, and clients want certificates before the first snowfall. Starting in September or October gives your broker time to shop the market. Read how much snow plow insurance costs in Ontario.
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
How much is snow plow insurance in Toronto?
It depends on your property mix, services, vehicles, revenue and claims history. High traffic commercial sites and sidewalk work generally cost more to insure than residential driveways. A broker can quote your specific operation.
Do Toronto condo corporations require snow contractors to have insurance?
Most do, often with specific liability limits and a requirement to name the corporation and property manager as additional insureds.
Can you help snow contractors across the GTA?
Yes. We connect contractors with Ontario brokers throughout Toronto and the surrounding GTA.