Use this checklist to prepare for a conversation with your broker before the season, at renewal, or before you sign a big contract. It is a list of questions to review, not a list of coverage you must buy. Every operation is different, and a licensed broker is the right person to tell you what fits yours.
Print it, work through it with your policies and contracts in front of you, and bring your notes to the call.
Before You Start: Gather These Documents
- Current policies and declarations pages, including endorsements
- Every client contract, or at least the insurance and indemnity sections
- List of vehicles with year, make, model and how each is registered
- List of equipment with values
- Services you perform and approximate revenue for each
- Number of employees and subcontractors
- Claims history for the past few years
- Sample site logs
Liability
- Does my general liability policy have any snow and ice exclusion or limitation?
- Does the policy describe all my operations: plowing, salting, sidewalk clearing, roof work, hauling?
- How are slip and fall claims handled under my policy?
- Is completed operations coverage included, and what are its limits?
- What are my per occurrence and aggregate limits?
- Do my limits meet what my contracts require?
- Would an umbrella policy be needed to meet any contract, and does it sit over my auto policy too?
- What is my deductible, and does it apply per claim?
Contracts
- Can the policy name clients as additional insured where contracts require it?
- Do any contracts ask for primary and non-contributory wording or a waiver of subrogation?
- Do any contracts require a notice of cancellation period?
- Do any contracts include indemnity or hold harmless clauses my broker should see?
- Do any contracts carry zero tolerance service levels?
- How do I request a certificate of insurance, and what information does my broker need?
Vehicles
- Is every truck insured for its actual use, including paid plowing?
- Is each mounted blade and spreader declared?
- Are any vehicles on personal policies that may not contemplate business use? See personal vs commercial auto.
- Do my auto liability limits meet contract requirements?
- Do employees ever use their own vehicles, or do I rent trucks? See hired and non owned auto.
- How are trucks treated when they sit in the off season? See seasonal insurance.
Equipment and Property
- Are skid steers, loaders, tractors and sidewalk units covered? See equipment insurance.
- Is equipment valued at replacement cost or actual cash value?
- Are hand tools, blowers and small equipment covered? See tools and contents.
- Is my shop, yard or salt storage covered? See business property.
- What happens to my income if key equipment is down mid storm? See business interruption.
People
- Am I registered with my provincial workers compensation board if required? See workers compensation.
- Is personal coverage for owners available or required by any contract?
- Do I collect certificates and clearances from subcontractors? See the subcontractor certificate tracker.
- How does my policy treat work done by subcontractors?
Claims
- Who do I call first after an incident, and how quickly must I report?
- In Ontario, do my crew and office know what to do with a 60 day notice letter? See the Ontario notice rule.
- Where are my logs, photos and salt records stored, and for how long?
Changes Since Last Year
- New services, sites, provinces or municipalities?
- New trucks, equipment or drivers?
- Higher revenue or more subcontracted work?
- New contracts with different insurance requirements?
After the Review
Write down your broker's answers beside each item and keep the sheet with your policy documents. Repeat the review at every renewal and before signing any contract with new insurance requirements. For background on what each coverage does, see what snow plow insurance covers.
Further reading: Insurance Bureau of Canada: Types of business insurance coverage; Insurance Bureau of Canada: Types of auto coverage
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
Is this checklist a list of coverage I need?
No. It is a list of questions to review with a licensed broker, who can explain which coverage fits your operation and contracts.
When should I use the coverage checklist?
Before the season, at renewal, and before signing any contract with new insurance requirements.
What documents should I bring to a broker review?
Your current policies and endorsements, client contracts, vehicle and equipment lists, a description of services and revenue, staff and subcontractor numbers, and your claims history.