Why Property Managers Should Always Verify Snow Contractor Insurance
When winter hits Ottawa and snow blankets every curb, fire hydrant, bollard, and sidewalk, visibility drops—and so does your margin for error. As a property manager, one of the most important steps you can take before hiring a snow removal company is confirming that they carry the right type and amount of insurance coverage.
Here’s why it matters—and how VS Landscape Group helps you stay protected all season long.
Snow Hides Everything — And Increases Risk
Snow and ice drastically reduce visibility and make it difficult for even experienced equipment operators to spot important features on your property. Curbs disappear. Landscaping beds look like open areas. Steel posts and parking lot dividers get buried. Damage becomes more likely, and liability risk increases.
That’s why snow removal is considered one of the highest-risk services in property maintenance.
What Happens If There’s Damage or Injury?
Most property managers include a clause in their RFP or service contract requiring the contractor to repair any damage caused during snow clearing—once spring arrives and the snow melts. But here’s the catch: if the contractor doesn’t have proper insurance, the chances of that damage being properly repaired—or compensated—drop significantly.
Worse, if a tenant, employee, or visitor slips and falls, both the property manager and the property owner can be named in a lawsuit. If the snow contractor is underinsured or lacks liability coverage altogether, you could be left footing the legal bill.
Why $1M Liability Isn’t Enough Anymore
Years ago, $1 million in Commercial General Liability (CGL) coverage might have seemed sufficient. But today’s claims environment is very different. Slip-and-fall settlements often reach hundreds of thousands of dollars—and that’s before factoring in legal fees or property damage.
Most serious snow contractors in Ottawa now carry $2M, or even $5M in liability coverage.
At VS Landscape Group, we maintain $5 million in CGL insurance, and when the season begins, we automatically name property owners and managers as Additional Insured on our Certificate of Insurance (COI). This gives you peace of mind that you’re protected—without having to chase paperwork.
Peace of Mind Built In
We believe professionalism starts before the first flake hits the ground. When you work with VS Landscape Group:
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You receive a COI naming you and your organization as Additional Insured.
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We meet or exceed the insurance requirements found in commercial snow removal RFPs.
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You have a documented commitment that damage will be addressed in spring—not ignored.
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You work with a snow contractor that understands liability, risk, and compliance from day one.
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Protect Your Property the Smart Way
Hiring a snow contractor without proper insurance exposes your property—and your reputation—to unnecessary risk.
Don’t leave it to chance. Contact VS Landscape Group today to learn more about our commercial snow removal programs, insurance standards, and how we keep Ottawa properties safe, compliant, and clear all winter long.
