Massachusetts Snowplow and Snow Removal Insurance
If you plow or plan on plowing, you may have some questions about what kinds of insurance you need. Let’s get right to it, here are the kinds of insurance you’ll need for snowplowing and snow removal in Massachusetts:
- An auto policy that covers plowing operations
- Worker’s compensation insurance if you have employees (or likely even sub-contractors, read on for more details)
- A general liability policy that covers snow removal is always a good call
- Insurance on your equipment (snowblowers, etc.) is optional but may help protect your investment
- Various other insurances may also make sense for your unique business
Scroll down on this page to find a more detailed explanation of each coverage
Whether you already have insurance or are just getting started, Safford Insurance is here to help you find the best value and fit for your unique plowing and snow removal business.
See how we can help you find the right coverage at an awesome price!
Types of Insurance for Your Snowplow or Snow Removal Business
Commercial Auto
Commercial auto insurance is usually the biggest expense for MA snowplow business owners. That makes your commercial auto insurance a great place to try and save money and control expenses. But insurance policies vary with some even limiting the types of places you can plow and still have coverage. And you don’t want to save a dollar to cut coverage and end up owing thousands with the first fender bender.
Equipment
For some the only equipment needed is a truck, plow, and snow shovel. For other snow removal businesses, they may employ an full armada of snowblowers, dump trucks, front loaders, graders, spreaders, and more.
General Liability
Some states in New England have laws that help protect snow removal businesses from 3rd party lawsuits. Massachusetts is NOT one of those states. What does this mean?
- It means that if someone slips and falls on a parking lot or sidewalk that you cleared . . . Yup, they can sue you.
Will my current business liability insurance cover snowplowing and snow removal?
- There’s a good chance the answer to that is ‘No.’ If you run a landscaping or contracting business that switches over to plowing and removal in the winter, you’ll likely need a special endorsement (coverage) added to your policy or even a separate policy designed to cover your winter activities.
Workers’ Compensation
If you have employees, then you’ll need work comp as well. It’s law and you don’t want to get slapped with a work-stop order in the middle of snowstorm.
Whew! I hire independent contractors not employees. And I pay them as 1099 for IRS tax purposes. I dodged a bullet here right? Do I need work comp coverage on 1099 employees?
- Without tackling the details here, the odds are good that these ‘independent’ or ‘sub contractors’ are going to be considered employees by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You can read more about it here on the state website but you’re probably going to need work comp on those drivers (or be able to provide proof that they have work comp themselves).
Other Insurances For Your Plowing Business
In addition to what we’ve already discussed, there are many other insurance products designed help you manage your risk and protect your business. Depending on the size and nature of your plowing business it may be wise to look at coverage ranging from cybercrime & data breach to group disability.
Based right here in Franklin, Massachusetts . . . we’re here to help protect your snowplowing or snow removal business. We never charge for questions, coverage reviews, or quotes. We simply want to see you be okay when the unexpected happens. Contact us today to see how we can help.