Is Your Snow Removal Contractor Actually Insured?

Ask any Calgary snow removal company if they are insured and the answer is always yes. It costs nothing to say.

The useful question is different: can I see the certificate, and is it current? Here is why that matters and what you are actually looking for.

The two coverages that matter

Commercial general liability

This covers damage the contractor causes to property, or injury to third parties, while working.

In snow removal that is not theoretical. Plows chip driveway edges, catch garage doors, clip fences, damage lawn edges under the snow line, and occasionally hit vehicles. Ice melt applied wrong can damage concrete. A snow pile stacked over a drain can contribute to flooding.

Without this coverage, your recourse against a contractor who damages your property is chasing them personally, which in practice often means chasing nothing.

Workers’ compensation coverage

This is the one people forget, and it carries the sharper risk.

If someone working on your property is injured and they are not covered, the question of who is financially responsible can land on the property owner. Snow work involves cold, ice, heavy equipment and early hours, so injuries are not rare.

In Alberta this coverage runs through the Workers’ Compensation Board. A legitimate contractor can produce a clearance letter confirming their account is in good standing. Ask for it.

What to actually ask for

Not “are you insured.” Instead:

1. “Can you send me a current certificate of insurance?” It should name the company, the policy period and the coverage. Check the dates cover the whole season, not just today.
2. “Can you provide a WCB clearance letter?” This confirms coverage for the people doing the work.
3. “Does your coverage include snow removal operations?” This one catches people out. Some general policies exclude or limit snow and ice work specifically, because insurers know it generates claims.

A professional contractor will have these ready and will not be offended. Being asked is normal.

The gap that catches property owners

A common assumption: “I hired an insured contractor, so I have transferred the risk.”

Not entirely. You remain the occupier of the property. Alberta’s Occupiers’ Liability Act expects you to take reasonable care that visitors are reasonably safe. Hiring a competent, insured contractor is strong evidence you did that. Hiring an uninsured one with no records is closer to evidence you did not.

So the certificate is not only protection against the contractor’s mistakes. It is part of showing your own approach was reasonable.

What “cheap” often means

When one quote is dramatically below the others, the difference is usually not efficiency. Commonly it is one of:

• No insurance, or a policy that excludes snow operations
• No WCB coverage, with workers paid cash
• Fewer surfaces included, sidewalks and steps in particular
• A higher trigger depth, so they come out less often
• No ice control
• Overcommitted routes, so you wait after heavy snowfalls

The saving is real. So is what you gave up for it.

A simple pre-season routine

Do this once, in early autumn:

1. Request the certificate of insurance and the WCB clearance letter.
2. Check the policy period covers your whole contract term.
3. Save both as files, not as messages you will lose.
4. Put a reminder to re-request them next season, since coverage lapses.
5. Ask whether they provide time-stamped service records, because insurance protects against damage while documentation protects against claims.

Ten minutes in September. Considerably better than finding out in February.

Frequently asked questions

Is snow removal insurance legally required in Alberta? Liability insurance is not universally mandated for every operator, which is exactly why you should verify it rather than assume it. WCB coverage requirements depend on the business structure, so ask for the clearance letter.

What is a WCB clearance letter? A document confirming a contractor’s Workers’ Compensation account is in good standing, meaning their workers are covered.

What if my driveway gets damaged? Report it promptly and in writing. With an insured contractor there is a process. With an uninsured one, you are relying on goodwill.

Does hiring an insured contractor remove my liability? Not entirely. You remain the occupier, but hiring competently and keeping records substantially strengthens your position.

Should I ask a residential contractor for this too? Yes. Equipment damage and injury are just as possible on a driveway as on a commercial lot.

Where we stand

Golden Angel is licensed and insured, and we are happy to provide documentation before you sign rather than after something goes wrong. We have served Calgary since 2021 and hold a 4.7 star rating from 92 Google reviews.

Whether it is residential snow removal or commercial snow removal, ask us for the paperwork. Then ask everyone else you are considering, because the answer tells you a lot.

This article is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Confirm coverage requirements for your situation with your insurer or a professional adviser.