BLOG NUMBER 19.58
Hiring a snow removal company is the best way to keep your residential or commercial property hazard-free, looking good, and easy to access all winter long. These professionals receive proper training and are equipped to clear walkways, paths, sidewalks, porches, decks, parking lots, and many other common areas. With their help, you can avoid premises liability issues resulting from slip and fall events, maintain property aesthetics, and more. The best snow removal companies are available for service even on holidays and during winter storms. Best of all, they can complete their work quickly and thoroughly, and their efforts mean that you don’t have to do any hard labor yourself. However, before hiring a snow removal service, it’s always important to verify that the right commercial insurance policies exist.
It’s common for small businesses and homeowners to hire young neighbors, local handymen, and others without licenses or basic coverage. Ice and snow coverings are not only dangerous to residents but also to snow removal professionals. Their risk of serious injury depends on their work location, the terrain, and the snow removal equipment they use.
- Slipping accidents
- Equipment malfunctions
- Injuries caused by hand-held tools
- Falls from elevated heights
- Frost nip or frostbite
Whenever you hire a contractor or company to perform work on your property, verifying general liability insurance is a critical step. With the right coverage, your insurance protects you from liability if someone gets injured during your project. Business insurance can protect you in other ways. If a snow removal service causes any harm to your property, your provider’s coverage will compensate you for your losses. No matter how large or small the jobs you’ve hired them for may be; absent of the necessary policies, uninsured contractors can wind up costing you a fortune.
How to Check for Snow Removal Insurance
Many property owners are already aware of just how important it is to verify insurance before hiring someone to work on their projects. As such, a number of snow removal companies are currently posting their insurance certificates right on their web pages. You should request this information before you accept a proposal and allow work to begin. However, even if you find insurance certificates published online, always request proof of insurance directly from the provider’s insurer. This is the only way to know for certain that a policy hasn’t lapsed due to non-payment, violation of contract terms, or for any other reasons. When you contact insurers directly, they’ll also keep you informed of any lapses in coverage that occur during the duration of your project.
Every service provider should have general liability insurance with sufficient limits. In many instances, this policy will cover between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 worth of damages per occurrence. For companies that only handle relatively small-sized projects, modest insurance limits such as these will likely suffice. If you own a business of any size and have multiple snow removal professionals working with heavy equipment like snow plows, your provider will need higher coverage limits to account for potential damages. Consult your insurer for guidance. If you’re unsure of how much coverage contractors will need to keep you protected, you can always consult
Hiring uninsured workers for snow removal may seem easy and affordable, especially if you have a limited budget.. In reality, however, this is a decision that can put you at serious financial risk. Not only will you have to pay for any property damage that occurs, but others may also hold you responsible if someone gets injured while working on your project.
Worse still, this is a decision that can result in the cancellation of your own homeowners’ or business insurance policy. Insurers aren’t willing to assume the risk of covering property owners who don’t take steps to protect themselves. If you want to keep your property free of snow, ice, and other dangerous cold-weather accumulations, we can help. Call us today at (816) 564-9131.
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