Prepare Your Snowplow Business For Winter
As the days get shorter and the temperatures start to drop, snowplow companies are gearing up for the winter months ahead. Proper preparation can reduce risk, improve safety, and set your business up for a successful season!
Here are some actions you should take before the first flakes fall:
Review and Update Your Insurance Coverage with Your Independent Insurance Agent
Before the snow falls, review your insurance policy to ensure that you have the coverage your business needs.
Consider the following questions:
- Have you added or retired any vehicles or equipment?
- Are all drivers currently listed and approved on your policy?
- Has your service area expanded or changed?
- Do you offer both residential and commercial plowing, and is that reflected in your policy?
Reach out to your independent insurance agent to review your policy together, make any necessary changes, and discuss loss prevention recommendations.
Prioritize Driver Safety & Training
Winter poses unique hazards, from the dangers of driving on icy, dark roads to the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
Before the winter weather arrives, host a safety training session for your employees. Together, review procedures and best practices against distracted and drowsy driving, especially in inclement weather.
Remember, too, that slips and falls, strains, and cold-weather injuries can be unfortunately common in the snow removal industry. Make sure your employees are covered under a workers’ compensation policy and trained in proper lifting techniques, cold weather safety (preventing frostbite and hypothermia), and the use of safety equipment (for example, reflective vests and suitable footwear).
Training helps protect your workforce from the dangers of the job and your business from costly claims.
Looking to further prioritize the safety of your drivers? Consider installing dashcams in your fleet. Dashcam technology can play a significant role in mitigating risks and enhancing driver safety as both a proactive and reactive tool. It can provide insight into driving behaviors, safety alerts, and coaching opportunities, as well as encourage driver accountability. In fact, installing dashcams into company vehicles leads to an approximate 60% reduction in collisions, according to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Safety Research.
- Merchants Insurance Group has partnered with Samsara to provide discounts on dashcams for company vehicles to our eligible Commercial Auto policyholders. Merchants’ Commercial Auto policyholders can use our referral link to apply for a discount on Samsara dashcams for their company vehicles: https://www.partners-samsara.com/s/customer-deal-registration?language=en_US&referringPartnerEmail=samsara%40merchantsgroup.com
- *Merchants Insurance Group does not collect, nor have access to, any customer data as a result of its partnership with Samsara. Data collected by Samsara systems remain accessible to Samsara and the customer only, not Merchants or any of its affiliates.*
Prepare Contracts and Documentation
Help protect your business from liability claims by:
- Ensuring all client contracts are updated and signed
- Including a clear scope of services, response times, and liability clauses
- Keeping thorough logs including details such as service calls, weather conditions, and plow activity
Maintain and Inspect Equipment
Preventative maintenance is key to avoiding accidents and equipment breakdowns. Have all plows, salt spreaders, and trucks inspected and serviced before the weather turns.
Well-maintained equipment lowers the risk of mechanical failure on the road, which can lead to accidents and lost income for your business.
Final Thoughts: A Safer, More Profitable Season
The more prepared you are, the more efficient (and profitable!) your season can be. Take these steps to help your business face winter with confidence, protection, and peace of mind.
Need a coverage review before the first snowfall?
Contact your independent insurance agent to review your coverage. Shopping around for a new commercial lines carrier? Use our Find an Agent tool to locate an independent insurance agent near you!
