By Chris Painter, Director of Commercial Lines, Advanced Insurance Solutions · Updated November 2, 2026

Quick tip from Chris: Before you sign this season's plowing contracts, ask your agent one question: does my general liability policy actually include snow and ice removal? Many landscaping and contractor policies exclude it or require it to be listed, and slip-and-fall claims are the biggest risk in this business. Most plowing operations need general liability that names snow removal, commercial auto for every truck with a plow attached, coverage for plows, spreaders and loaders, and workers' compensation for anyone on the payroll, including seasonal help. Then read the hold harmless language in each contract before you sign it.

Snow removal is one of the best ways for landscapers, excavators and general contractors to keep crews busy and cash flowing through a Pennsylvania winter. It's also one of the most claim-heavy lines of work we insure. The plowing itself is rarely the problem. The problem is the customer who slips in a parking lot two days after the storm, and the lawsuit that names everyone who touched the lot.

From our Hershey and York offices, I've worked with contractors across Dauphin, Lebanon, Cumberland, Lancaster, York and Adams Counties, plus Harford, Baltimore and Carroll Counties in northern Maryland, for years. Here's what I'd want every plow operator to have lined up before the first flakes fall.

Does my landscaping or contractor policy cover snow plowing?

Not automatically. Some general liability policies written for landscapers or contractors exclude snow and ice removal entirely. Others cover it only if it's listed as part of your operations, or only for residential driveways and not commercial lots. A few insurers won't write snow removal at all.

If you've added plowing since your policy was written, or you're picking up new commercial accounts this year, tell your agent. A policy that doesn't match what you actually do is the most common gap we find in this business, and it tends to surface at the worst possible time: after a claim.

Why are slip-and-fall claims such a big deal for snow contractors?

Because they can come from anywhere and arrive months later. A pedestrian falls on refrozen melt in a shopping center lot. A tenant slips on the sidewalk outside an office building. The injured person often sues the property owner, the property manager and the snow contractor together, and lets the court sort out who was responsible.

Your general liability policy is what responds to those claims, so the limit matters. Many commercial property owners and managers require at least $1 million per occurrence, and some larger accounts require more. A commercial umbrella can add limits above your general liability and auto policies if a contract calls for it or if you simply want more protection.

What is a hold harmless clause, and why should I read it carefully?

Most commercial snow contracts include hold harmless or indemnification language. In plain English, you agree to take on certain liability and defense costs for the property owner if someone gets hurt. Some clauses are reasonable. Others ask you to cover injuries that happen even when you weren't called out, such as when snowfall never reached the contract's trigger depth.

The Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) advises contractors to read every word of these provisions, understand what triggers them, and negotiate them before signing rather than after a claim is filed. In Pennsylvania, lawmakers have also taken up the issue. House Bill 1665, which would have limited certain indemnity clauses in snow removal contracts, passed the state House unanimously in January 2022, but it was not signed into law at that time.

Send us the contract before you sign it. We can't give legal advice, but we can tell you whether your policy's contractual liability coverage is likely to respond to what the contract asks for, and when it's time to involve your attorney.

Do I need commercial auto for my plow truck?

Very likely. A personal auto policy may not cover a truck used to plow for paying customers, and many personal policies limit or exclude coverage for vehicles used in business. Commercial auto is built for this. Make sure every truck that carries a plow or spreader is listed, and ask how your policy treats the plow and spreader themselves. Some policies treat permanently attached equipment as part of the vehicle; others don't.

How do I protect plows, spreaders and loaders?

Contractor's equipment coverage, sometimes called inland marine, protects mobile equipment like skid steers, loaders, walk-behind snow blowers and detachable plows and spreaders against theft, vandalism and many types of physical damage. Equipment that sits at a customer's lot overnight during a storm is especially exposed. Schedule the expensive items and make sure the values are current.

Do I need workers' comp for seasonal plow crews?

In Pennsylvania, almost certainly. The Department of Labor & Industry says nearly every employer must carry workers' compensation, including employers with just one employee, and that coverage applies to seasonal and part-time workers. Snow work brings real injury risks: slips on ice, back strain from shoveling, cold exposure and long overnight shifts behind the wheel.

If you use subcontractors to cover accounts during big storms, collect a current certificate of insurance from each one before they start. An uninsured sub can show up as your payroll at audit time, and as your problem if they get hurt.

How can snow contractors keep claims down and premiums in check?

Keep detailed service logs. Record when you arrived, what you did, how much material you applied and the conditions when you left. Time-stamped photos and weather records help a great deal if a claim shows up months later.

Match your contracts to your capacity. Don't promise response times you can't meet during a 20-inch storm.

Collect certificates from every sub. Confirm they carry general liability, auto and workers' comp, and ask to be named as an additional insured where appropriate.

Train your crews. Cover slip prevention, safe backing, fatigue and equipment checks before the season starts.

Review coverage before November ends. Adding accounts, trucks or equipment mid-season is easier when your agent already knows what you're planning.

Frequently asked questions

Does general liability cover a slip and fall in a lot I plowed?

It can, if your policy includes snow and ice removal operations and the claim falls within the policy terms. If your policy excludes snow work, the claim may not be covered at all. Check your policy wording or ask us to review it.

I only plow residential driveways. Do I still need insurance?

Yes. A plow blade can damage a garage door, a lawn, a mailbox or a parked car, and homeowners can still be hurt on a driveway you cleared. Residential-only operations are often easier and less expensive to insure than commercial lots.

Can I plow with my personal pickup truck?

You can, but your personal auto policy may not cover it once you're plowing for pay. Talk with your agent before the season starts, because finding out after an accident is much harder.

Will my customers ask for a certificate of insurance?

Most commercial property owners and managers will, and many will ask to be named as an additional insured. We can issue certificates quickly once your coverage is in place.

Do Maryland accounts change anything?

Possibly. If you plow across the state line in Harford, Baltimore or Carroll County, make sure your auto, liability and workers' comp policies list Maryland. Each state has its own rules.

Let's get your snow operation covered before the first storm

Whether you plow a few dozen driveways in Hummelstown or manage commercial lots from Harrisburg to Hanover, we'll review your liability, auto, equipment and workers' comp coverage and compare options across the more than 20 insurance companies we represent. Request a business insurance quote or call us at 717-533-0252 (Hershey) or 717-845-1500 (York). You're also welcome to stop by our Hershey office on West Chocolate Avenue or our York office on South Queen Street.

Sources: Snow & Ice Management Association: The Boring Stuff Is Important · PA House Republican Caucus: Quinn Bill Restoring Snow Removal Liability Fairness Passes House · PA Department of Labor & Industry: Workers' Compensation & the Injured Worker

Coverage, eligibility and pricing vary by insurance company, policy and state. This article is general information, not a coverage guarantee or legal advice. Talk with a licensed agent about your specific business and contracts.