Do I need separate coverage for snow removal?

Snow and ice work must be declared, and some insurers only write it with good service records or higher deductibles. If you only landscape, tell your broker so you're not paying for winter exposure you don't have.

Do I need a licence to spray pesticides in BC?

Commercial pesticide application generally needs a licence and certified applicators under BC's Integrated Pest Management Act. Pesticide work also needs to be declared to your insurer.

Are my mowers and skid steer covered on my liability policy?

No. Liability covers damage you do to others. Your own equipment needs a contractor's equipment floater, which also covers theft from sites and yards.

British Columbia trade insurance

Insurance for Landscaping & Snow Removal in British Columbia

Liability and equipment coverage for BC landscapers and snow removal contractors. Licensed BC brokers compete for your account.

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Landscaping & Snow Removal in British Columbia illustration

Commercial Liability & Risk Guide for Landscaping & Snow Removal in British Columbia

Landscaping in British Columbia changes a lot by region. Coastal crews work nearly year-round and rarely plow, while contractors in the Okanagan, Kamloops, and Prince George run full winter snow programs. Snow and ice contracts carry the most slip-and-fall risk, and many insurers want to see service logs before they'll write them. Commercial pesticide use needs a licence under BC's Integrated Pest Management Act. QuoteMatch sends your application to licensed BC brokers so your summer and winter work are both covered correctly.

Risks specific to British Columbia

Working in British Columbia brings its own climate, market, and regulatory risks:

Slip-and-fall claims on plowed and salted commercial lots, mainly in the Interior and North.
Rare but severe coastal snow events that catch unprepared crews.
Theft of trailers, mowers, and skid steers.
Damage to buried lines and irrigation during grading and planting.

Rules and requirements to know

Insurers and clients in British Columbia will expect you to meet these:

BC Integrated Pest Management Act licensing for commercial pesticide application.
BC 1 Call locate requests before digging or trenching.
WorkSafeBC registration for crews and seasonal workers.

Example claim

How a claim could happen

“A Kamloops contractor plows and salts a retail lot overnight. A thaw and refreeze leaves ice by the entrance, and a customer falls and breaks a wrist.”

How coverage respondsThe contractor's liability coverage defends the claim alongside the property owner. The contractor's service logs help show when the lot was last treated.

Official resources

Landscaping & Snow Removal Contractors in other provinces

Common questions: Landscaping & Snow Removal in British Columbia

Do I need separate coverage for snow removal?: Snow and ice work must be declared, and some insurers only write it with good service records or higher deductibles. If you only landscape, tell your broker so you're not paying for winter exposure you don't have.
Do I need a licence to spray pesticides in BC?: Commercial pesticide application generally needs a licence and certified applicators under BC's Integrated Pest Management Act. Pesticide work also needs to be declared to your insurer.
Are my mowers and skid steer covered on my liability policy?: No. Liability covers damage you do to others. Your own equipment needs a contractor's equipment floater, which also covers theft from sites and yards.