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Snow removal is a short season with a long tail. A plow job takes minutes, but a slip-and-fall claim from that parking lot can show up months later. Asshield™ insures snow plowing, salting and ice management contractors across Lexington and Central Kentucky, including landscapers who plow in winter, and compares several companies so you're covered before the first storm.
A contractor plows and salts a retail lot in Lexington overnight. By midday, melt refreezes and a shopper falls near the entrance. The property owner's insurer tenders the claim to the snow contractor under the contract's hold-harmless clause. Because the contractor's GL didn't exclude snow and ice work, and he kept service logs, the claim could be defended.
Where we see it locally
Lexington, Georgetown, Richmond and Frankfort all get a handful of real snow and ice events most winters. Commercial lots, HOAs, apartment complexes and medical offices are the usual accounts, and many are serviced by landscaping companies that switch to snow in winter.
Snow contractors in Kentucky
Kentucky doesn't license snow removal at the state level. Kentucky requires workers' comp once you have one employee, including seasonal and part-time help. Keep detailed service logs (time, conditions, what you applied), because they matter when a claim comes in months later.
More: Contractors hub · Landscaping · Commercial auto · General liability
Risks snow contractors face
Slip-and-fall claims
At properties you service, often long after the storm
Hold-harmless and indemnity clauses
In property-manager contracts that shift the owner's risk to you
Snow-and-ice exclusions
Some GL policies exclude or limit snow removal, so landscapers who add plowing need to check
Plow trucks
A plow attached to a truck changes how it's used and rated on commercial auto
Damage to curbs, landscaping, cars and light poles
While plowing
A typical snow removal program
Every business is different. This is a starting point we tailor to your work, contracts and state.
General liability without a snow-and-ice exclusion
How it worksCommercial auto
Plow trucks and salt spreaders
How it worksTools & equipment
Inland marine for skid steers, plows and spreaders
How it worksWorkers' compensation
How it worksCommercial umbrella when contracts require higher limits
How it worksHave this handy
Accounts and types of property, contracts (especially hold-harmless language), trucks and plows with VINs, equipment values, seasonal payroll, whether you also do landscaping, and loss history.
Snow removal insurance questions
Does my landscaping GL policy cover snow plowing?
Not always. Some policies exclude or limit snow and ice work. Tell us before the season so we can check or adjust.
What is a hold-harmless clause in a snow contract?
It's contract language where you agree to take on certain liability for the property owner. It can shift a lot of risk to you. Send us the contract before you sign.
Do I need commercial auto for a plow truck?
Usually, yes. A truck with a plow used for business generally needs to be on a commercial auto policy.
Do I need workers' comp for seasonal help?
In Kentucky, yes. Employers with one or more employees must carry it, and seasonal and part-time workers count.
We cover your assets
Compare snow removal insurance with an independent agency
Tell us about your business once. We shop multiple carriers, explain the trade-offs in plain English, and handle certificates, audits and renewals after you bind.
Educational only — not a policy, quote, or coverage guarantee. Coverage, eligibility, and carrier availability vary by state, class of business, and underwriting. Policy language controls. Talk with a licensed Asshield agent about your situation.