Do You Own Trailers?

A large percentage of contractors use trailers.   The most common type is the enclosed "tool" trailer for those in the residential building trade.   Most of the trailers used by contractors are transportation type trailers as they are mostly used to take tools and equipment to the job site, but once on site are not used, or used very little.  Excavation contractors are a different story.  They sometimes own trailers carry much heavier loads and used extensively.

Alberta Based Contractors

When you register your trailer in Alberta you are not required to insure the trailer.

You can purchase physical damage coverage (Collision, Upset, Fire, Theft, etc) wherever you want.  This is likely to be under your vehicle insurance policy but it can also be pruchased under your contractors insurance policy if your insurance company will do so. 

Your registration for light trailers is usually under a permanent plate which does not need to be renewed.   Heavy trailers may require inspections and the plates may have to be renewed on a regular basis. 

The truck pulling the trailer requires liability insurance for pulling any particular trailer.  Make sure you have permission to pull a commercial trailer under your vehicles insurance policy.  Failing to advise your vehicle insurance provider of the use of the trailer can leave you uninsured while towing the trailer.   

For those that live in Alberta, the problem that you will run into when insuring a trailer under your auto insurance policy is the high premium.  When you purchase insurance for your trailer under your auto policy there is no differentiation between a contractor who uses his trailer extensively or minimally.  Let's look at a dump trailer.  A home builder may take his dump trailer to the job site so that the trades can place garbage in it, when it is full he dumps it and returns it to the site.   Often this trailer will sit on site for a month or more with very little use.  Whereas, a excavation contractor may use his trailer daily and may go to a number of job sites in a day.  Yet the premium charged for collision is going to be the same for both contractors.  

If you can insure your trailer under a "Contractor's Equipment" policy the premium is often a third of what it would be under your auto policy.  

Saskatchewan Based Contractors

Saskatchewan, like Alberta, requires you to register your trailer.   In Saskatchewan you have a choice of insuring the trailer under a regular yearly renewable licence plate.  If you do this you have Liability and Physical damage coverage on the trailer is included with the registration.  If you choose this option you do not need to purchase physical damage coverage on the trailer under a separate policy.  The deductible is $500 for most trailers under this renewable plate.  The liability limit is $200,000 and top up coverage is advised.  

The other option is to have a perpetual license plate where you do not have to renew the plate each year.  Under this type of registration there is no insurance provided.    You would need to purchase coverage under a contractor's equipment policy or an extension auto policy in order for the trailer to be insured for Liability and physical damage.

Most contractors have an automobile policy for their truck and the cost of adding a trailer to the policy is quite low.  It often follows that the trailers should be added to the auto policy.  Unlike Alberta, Liability insurance on a trailer does not flow from the the towing unit and Liability Coverage needs to be added for the trailer.

Contractors Who Leave the Province They are Registered In

There are requirements in both Saskatchewan and Alberta in respect to commercial trucks entering the province for business purposes.

In both Saskatchewan and Albert the law states that any commercial vehicle entering the province does not require dual registration unless the total combined weight exceeds 11,800kg.

If you do enter the province and the combined weight of the truck, trialer and load exceeds the limit you will need to secure a permit.  You can aquire a permit by telephone.
Saskatchewan - 306-775-6969
Alberta 1-800-662-7138

It is advisable to contact the province you are entering to establish what the rules are.  You will find them to be extremely helpful. 

Of course those contractors who enter a different province regularly and do have heavy trucks can also get an apportioned plate.   This gives you the authority to enter multiple jurisdictions without having to be permitted.    Most people who have heavy trucks licensed ( total wight of 11,800 Kg or more including the weight of the truck, trailer, and load) are required to get a national safety certificate so they are aware of the requirements related to pro rated plates and permits for these vehicles.   They are also required to do regular inspections under that safety certificate for these heavier trucks.  

A national safety certificate is not required for vehicles and trailers registered for less than 11,800kg. 
Please remember that rules change.  It is best to make the call to the permit office to verify your responsibilities in regard to license requirements expecially if you are doing so for the first time and are not sure of the rules. 

If you pull a trailer and load of more thant 4600kg you need to secure a G endorsement on you drivers licence.