How do I check liability insurance on my Ottawa driveway crew?

Always verify that your driveway contractor carries commercial general liability insurance with minimum $2 million coverage before work begins. Request a current certificate of insurance directly from their insurance broker, not just a photocopy from the contractor.

Getting Proper Insurance Documentation

Ask your contractor to provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) issued by their insurance broker or company within the last 30 days. This certificate should show commercial general liability coverage of at least $2 million, with your property address listed as the certificate holder or additional insured for the project duration. The certificate will include the insurance company name, policy number, coverage amounts, and expiry dates. Never accept expired certificates, photocopies of old documents, or verbal assurances about coverage.

Contact the insurance broker or company directly using the phone number on the certificate to verify the policy is active and covers the specific work being performed. Insurance brokers will confirm coverage details when contacted by property owners. Some contractors carry higher coverage amounts ($5 million is common for larger paving companies), but $2 million is the practical minimum for residential driveway work in Ottawa.

WSIB Coverage is Equally Critical

In Ontario, workplace injury coverage through WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) is mandatory for most contractors. Request a current WSIB Clearance Certificate showing the contractor's account is in good standing. If a contractor without WSIB coverage is injured on your property, you can be held personally liable for medical costs, lost wages, and permanent disability benefits. WSIB certificates can be verified online at wsib.ca or by calling WSIB directly.

Ottawa-Specific Insurance Considerations

Driveway work in Ottawa involves heavy equipment (excavators, compactors, paving machines), hot asphalt at 150+ degrees Celsius, and significant excavation near foundations and utilities. The insurance should specifically cover excavation work, hot material handling, and equipment operation on residential properties. Some policies exclude certain activities, so confirm the coverage applies to your specific project scope.

Additional Protection Steps

Verify the contractor is properly licensed for any electrical work (heated driveways require an ESA-licensed electrician) and carries appropriate vehicle insurance for trucks and equipment traveling to your property. For larger projects involving municipal right-of-way work, the City of Ottawa may require proof of insurance before issuing permits.

When to Walk Away

Any contractor who cannot provide current insurance certificates, seems evasive about coverage, or suggests you "don't need to worry about insurance" should be eliminated immediately. Professional paving contractors understand insurance requirements and have documentation readily available. The few hundred dollars saved by hiring an uninsured contractor can cost tens of thousands if something goes wrong.

Need help finding properly insured driveway contractors? Ottawa Driveways can match you with local paving professionals who carry full commercial insurance and WSIB coverage.