Snow Removal Insurance: A Guide to Coverage, Costs, and Risk Management

Originally published December 2020. Last updated on October 16th, 2025.

If you’re planning to start a snow removal business or add plow services to your lawn care business, the first item on your to-do list is getting the right insurance coverage.

Snow removal insurance safeguards your business against risks like property damage, injuries, and equipment breakdowns. 

Getting the coverage you need doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Keep reading to find out more about the types of insurance you need, how much it costs, and how to get a quote.

General liability

General liability insurance is one of the most important types of protection for your business. It safeguards you from third-party injuries and property damage that may occur when you’re operating heavy equipment in unpredictable weather on client properties.

This coverage typically protects your business against:

• Physical injuries like cuts, bruises, or broken bones
• Property damage
• Personal injury (non-physical harm like invasion of privacy or false statements)

For example, if you accidentally plow over a mailbox hidden under the snow or a client slips on an icy surface, general liability will cover the cost of repairs, and/or expensive legal and medical costs.

Professional liability

Professional liability insurance gives you additional protection beyond general liability coverage. It covers claims and lawsuits related to professional mistakes.

Coverage includes:

• Errors or negligence in your work
• Failing to meet contractual obligations
• Not delivering services on time or to the required standard

While professional liability insurance doesn’t cover physical injuries or property damage, it protects your business from the financial fallout of unhappy customers and disputes.

Commercial auto

Required in every state except Virginia and New Hampshire, commercial auto insurance is crucial for any snow removal business that uses vehicles for plowing, salting, or transporting equipment.

With commercial snow removal insurance, your vehicles are protected against accidents, damage, or liabilities that may occur while on the job. 

Plow trucks and other vehicles used in snow removal face higher risks, especially during extreme weather conditions. Like a collision with another vehicle or sliding off the road due to icy conditions. 

A commercial auto policy typically covers:

• Collision coverage: Pays for repairs if one of your trucks hits another vehicle, a light post, etc.
• Liability coverage: Covers bodily injury or property damage you cause while operating your vehicle
• Comprehensive coverage: Protects against non-collision losses such as theft, vandalism, or damage from weather
• Medical payments coverage: Helps cover medical expenses for you or your crew if someone’s injured in an accident
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Steps in if another driver causes an accident and doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damage
• Legal and towing assistance: Many policies include coverage for legal defense costs or roadside help if your truck breaks down

Pro Tip: Review and update your insurance before starting snow removal operations, especially if your vehicles are primarily used for other business activities, like landscaping. Adding a plow to a truck may void the current policy if it’s not accounted for.

Tools and equipment

Unexpected equipment issues can bring your business to a standstill. Snow plowing insurance, which includes tools and equipment (also known as “inland marine”) coverage, protects your plows, salt spreaders, and other essential equipment your business relies on.

If your equipment is damaged, stolen, or breaks down, you won’t be left paying out of pocket for repairs or replacements. It also protects you in case of theft, which is worth considering for businesses that store expensive equipment on job sites or in vehicles.

Pro Tip: To ensure you’re fully covered, assess the value of your snow removal equipment. 

Underinsuring your tools could leave you without enough coverage in case of a major loss. Over-insuring, on the other hand, can lead to unnecessary premiums.

By maintaining a clear inventory and proper valuation of your equipment, you can make sure your insurance is providing the right level of protection.

Workers’ comp

Required in most states (except Texas), workers’ compensation covers employee injuries that occur on the job. Whether it’s a slip on an icy driveway or an accident while using heavy equipment, workers’ comp provides financial protection for both your business and your employees.

For employees, workers’ comp offers peace of mind. For example, if they slip on ice while removing snow and break their arm, workers’ comp will help pay for medical treatment and lost wages during their recovery.For your business, it builds trust with your team and shows you care about their well-being. Even if you’re a solo operator, you might still consider getting workers’ comp to cover yourself in case of injury.

Hired and non-owned

Maybe one of your trucks is in the shop, and you need to rent one at the last minute. If you or your crew are using a rented vehicle, a leased truck, or an employee’s own pickup for plowing, this is where hired and non-owned auto coverage comes into play.

Standard commercial auto policies don’t usually stretch that far since they’re built to cover the vehicles your business owns. Hired and non-owned coverage closes that gap and keeps you from paying out-of-pocket when something goes wrong involving your temporary or subcontracted vehicle.

This type of protection is especially valuable if you:

• Rent trucks when storms get heavy and routes pile up
• Bring in subcontractors who use their own vehicles
• Let employees use personal pickups or SUVs to help with jobs

Umbrella liability

Accidents on icy properties can turn into lawsuits fast, and sometimes the cost of damages or legal fees exceeds the limits on your regular liability or commercial auto policy.

This is when umbrella liability insurance becomes an extra layer of protection.

For example, say your crew is plowing a busy retail parking lot, and an accident occurs, resulting in multiple vehicles being damaged. If the claim blows past your $1 million general liability limit, your umbrella policy steps in to cover the overflow. Without it, you’re on the hook for every dollar above that cap.

This coverage is worth considering if you:

• Serve commercial contracts like shopping centers, hospitals, or corporate campuses
• Operate in cities or states known for heavy litigation (slip-and-fall cases are common in winter)
• Run multiple trucks and crews, which naturally increases exposure

Pollution liability

A pollution liability policy helps cover the cost of cleanup, legal defense, and even third-party injuries or property damage that stem from pollution incidents.

Maybe one of your trucks has a fuel leak on a client’s property. Or a rainstorm washes the de-icing chemicals you applied straight into a drainage system that feeds a nearby pond.

Some municipalities may closely monitor salt usage near sensitive areas, such as wetlands, rivers, and school grounds. So, if your contracts include properties near those, the risk is even higher.

Cyber liability

Whether you’re using apps to manage schedules or keeping client data on file, you’re at risk of cyberattacks.

Imagine a data breach that exposes sensitive customer information. Suddenly, you’re looking at legal fees and a lot of explaining to do.

Cyber liability insurance is your safety net, covering things like:

• Data recovery
• Legal expenses
• And even PR assistance to fix your reputation

Seasonal considerations

If you operate year-round, adapt your insurance coverage to account for the unique risks you’ll face in the different seasons.

Balancing your insurance needs for both seasons can help you avoid gaps in coverage, and that usually starts with a check-in with your insurance agent. You can build a comprehensive policy that covers both landscaping and snow removal.

Talk through how your operations change when the snow melts and the plowing gear comes off. There are cost-effective strategies, such as adjusting your coverage based on the season or bundling policies. And these can protect your business throughout the year without overpaying when you’re not offering certain services.

Add-ons for snow removal

When running a dual-purpose business, tailor your insurance coverage with specific add-ons (known as endorsements) to cover your snow removal operations. These endorsements offer extra protection against risks specific to snow removal.

Common endorsements include:

• Protection for your tools and equipment
• Commercial auto coverage for snowplows
• Enhanced liability for operating in hazardous weather conditions

Safety protocols

One of the most effective ways to reduce risk is by implementing strict safety protocols and regularly training your employees.

Snow removal often involves hazardous conditions, like icy surfaces and heavy equipment, so your team needs to understand how to operate safely. Providing ongoing training on equipment use and winter driving safety will help prevent accidents and injuries on the job.

Record keeping

Keeping detailed records of your operations is another important risk management tool. Documenting each job—including photos of cleared areas, the conditions before and after work, and any incidents—provides proof of your efforts to maintain a safe work environment.

This documentation helps protect your business in the event of a lawsuit or claim, as it shows you took all necessary precautions. Keeping records also helps you track your work and manage your insurance claims.

Maintaining vehicles and equipment

Your trucks and plows are the backbone of your business, but they’re also one of the biggest sources of risk. Insurers know that a well-maintained fleet is far less likely to lead to accidents or claims, so here’s how to stay ahead:

• Stay on top of inspections and maintenance: Schedule regular checks on trucks, plows, and other gear to look for issues before they become dangerous. Keeping detailed service logs also shows insurers you’re serious about managing risk.
• Do a readiness check: Before the first snowfall, make sure your tires, brakes, hydraulic systems, and blades are in working order. Swap out any worn parts and fluids to save you from breakdowns in the middle of the season.
• Handle repairs right away: If something breaks, fix it right away. Running faulty equipment isn’t safe, and it increases the chance of liability if something goes wrong.
• Protect your gear in storage: Between jobs or at the end of the season, store trucks and equipment in a secure, weatherproof location. This reduces the risk of theft and weather damage, keeping your investments in good condition for the next storm.

READ MORE: How to start a snow removal business

1. Assess your operations

Look closely at how your business runs. Do you operate with just one truck, clearing residential driveways? Or do you manage a fleet, handling shopping centers and hospitals?

The bigger your crew and the more vehicles you have, the broader your coverage needs to be. And if you service high-traffic properties, that impacts your coverage too.

At minimum, you’ll need protection for your vehicles, equipment, and liability for slip-and-fall claims.

2. Identify your risk hotspots

Think about the “what if” scenarios that could hurt you financially. Maybe it’s a fuel spill while filling up a truck, or a subcontractor uses their own vehicle and knocks over a fence post.

Knowing where the risks are makes it easier to match coverage with your operations.

3. Compare insurance providers

Not all insurance carriers understand the snow removal industry. Some specialize in construction or landscaping and can adapt policies for winter services. Others might leave gaps that come back to haunt you.

Get quotes from multiple providers that specialize in snow removal insurance, and don’t just look at price. Pay attention to deductibles, coverage limits, and how claims are handled. A slightly higher premium could be worth it if the provider has experience covering plow operations.

4. Work with an experienced agent

An agent who understands your field will know the quirks of seasonal work, subcontracting, and the liability issues that come with clearing snow. They can make the process of getting insurance for snow plowing much easier, helping you bundle coverages into a plan that makes sense.

Next Insurance specializes in tailored small business insurance and offers a simple way for you to get insurance coverage.

The online process is quick, and you can immediately share your certificates of insurance with your clients to boost your brand and build their trust.

The content and information in this article were provided by Next Insurance.