Commercial Auto Insurance

Snow Plowing Operations

There are four general classes of snow plow operations according to most insurance companies.

One is the the operation that plows residential driveways for one family homes. We understand that you may use your truck for both business and personal uses. We have snow plowing insurance policies that will cover you light duty truck that is used in this way. Contact us at 607-843-8860 or insurance@drickardinsurance.com.
The second adds up to four family homes and small offices.
The third adds retail plazas and other higher traffic areas including apartment buildings and offices. For more information on how we can help you reach out to us at 607-843-8860 or insurance@drickardinsurance.com.
Fourth is the municiple contractor who plows streets or government properties. We are not a good source for insurance for this type of snow removal operation.

NOTE: If you also shovel snow, salt walks or driveways, or additional services that involves you doing more than just driving your truck, you will have a need for contractors liability insurance also.

Frequently Asked Questions or FAQ

Why do I need commercial auto insurance?

What coverage can I get?

Who may and should be listed on the policy as drivers?

What types of vehicles can I get coverage snow plowing coverage on?

What discounts may I be eligible for?

Do I need to pay my policy premium in full for the year?

Is there a benefit to loyalty?

Why do I need commercial auto insurance? ^{Top or Back To the Question List}

This is a good question. Keeping in mind that you never want to give your insurer a reason to deny your claim, increase your rates, or accuse you of insurance fraud because of making a false statement on your application. (Your personal policy applications includes a question as to the use of your vehicle.) When you use your auto for business purposes you add some unique liability exposures, not all of which can be answered just by buying business auto coverage. Here are some examples:

You are a contracted to do installations for a retailer, building supply store or general contractor. They require that you list them as an additional insured on your auto policy. (This extends liability to them from your auto policy.) We are not aware of any company that will do this is a personal auto policy.
You transport other people's property. In the case that you do this for another company they should ask that they be named as an additional insured for liability.

What coverage can I get? ^{Top or Back To the Question List}

Like personal auto insurance in New York State you must have at least the minimum requirements for liability and other coverage. However you may be pleasantly surprised how inexpensive it is to have $1,000,000 as your combined single liability limit.
Additional Equipment mounted on your truck may be covered automatically. For example $2,000 of permanately mounted equipment may be covered. Often times this will not be enough coverage for your lights, speaders, and better quality plow kits. Let us know the value of the equipment you have so that you may be accurately protected.
Other coverage you may wish is hired and non-owned autos, additional insureds and many more.
There is a very long list. Contact us for more details at 607-843-8860 or insurance@drickardinsurance.com.

Who may and should be listed on the policy as drivers? ^{Top or Back To the Question List}

Every driver of your vehicles should be listed on your policy. Normally we can find insurers that will take drivers that have less than perfect driving history. A helpful hint, in order to control your insurance premiums and protect your policy, check driving history by recently dated DMV abstract before you hire a new employee. Contact us for more details at 607-843-8860 or insurance@drickardinsurance.com.

What types of vehicles can I get snow plowing coverage on?

There are many many types of autos we can find coverage for. These include:

Trucks -

Light Duty Pickup Trucks
Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks
Light Dump Trucks
Heavy Dump Trucks

What discounts may I be eligible for?

Commercial Driver's License
Defensive Drivers Course
Package Insurance
Business Experience
Pay In Full
Safe Driver
Policy Renewal

Do I need to pay my policy premium in full for the year?

Generally no, ussualy our customers enjoy:

Flexible Payment Options,
Multiple Bill Plans,
and Low Initial Payments.

Some insurers do require that you pay your policy in full. However in certain cases we may be able to arrange for third party premium financing.

Is there a benefit to loyalty?

Yes, while benefits of remaining with the same insurer varies from company to company there are benefits for sure. A short list of what we have found include:

Policy Renewal Discount,
Small Accident Forgiveness,
Renewal Guarantee,
and Violation Forgiveness.

The descriptions included on this page are not contractual. You must refer to your individual policies for the provisions and limitations of the insurance contract you have. Not all policies are created equal.

You didn't find the commercial auto insurance information you are looking for? Call us at 607-843-8860. We may be able to help you if you are in upstate New York State.