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Landscaping involves numerous risks. You might accidentally damage a client’s property, or worse, someone could get injured.
Homeowners trust you, the landscaping professional, to complete the job safely and efficiently. However, accidents happen. Equipment can fail, and even with the best intentions, things can go wrong. This is why liability insurance is crucial for your landscaping business.
Navigating insurance can be overwhelming for business owners. If you’re unsure about the coverage you need, you’re not alone. Business insurance can be complex, especially for beginners.
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What Is Landscaping Liability Insurance?
Liability insurance covers property damage or injuries caused by your business. Most businesses carry general liability insurance to protect against accidents and unexpected events, such as damaging a client’s property.
For landscapers, liability insurance provides similar protection. It covers accidental damage, injuries to non-employees, and claims of libel and slander.
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Who Needs Landscaper Insurance?
Proper coverage is vital for safeguarding your business against financial losses from work-related accidents and other unexpected situations. Here are some examples of landscape business owners who would benefit from having landscaping insurance:
- Arborists
- General landscapers
- Hardscape architects and landscapers
- Landscape architects and contractors
- Landscape designers
- Landscape pesticide and herbicide applicators
- Lawn care companies
- Lawn irrigation contractors
- Tree trimmers
What Does Landscaper Insurance Cover?
A reliable lawn care business insurance policy offers a variety of coverage to protect your landscaping business from unexpected costs, such as legal claims, lawsuit expenses, and the replacement of damaged tools and equipment. The key is to select coverage types that match the unique needs of your landscaping enterprise.
A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) is a great starting point. It bundles three essential types of coverage into one comprehensive package:
- General liability insurance: Essential for landscapers, this insurance protects against financial losses from injuries to third parties or damage to their property caused by your business operations. For instance, if you accidentally damage a client’s property during a landscaping project, general liability insurance covers the repair costs.
- Commercial property insurance: This insurance compensates for damage to the physical assets of your landscaping business, such as equipment, tools, and machinery, caused by events like fire, theft, vandalism, or certain natural disasters.
- Business interruption insurance: If an unforeseen event or covered disaster temporarily halts your business operations, business interruption insurance compensates for lost income and ongoing expenses during the downtime.
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What’s Not Covered by Landscaper Insurance?
Landscaper insurance usually has exclusions, meaning certain issues won’t be covered:
- Armed conflicts or war
- Contagious illnesses
- Deliberate and deceptive actions
- Earthquakes (you’ll need a commercial earthquake insurance policy)
- Flooding (you’ll need a separate flood insurance policy)
- Government seizure of property through eminent domain
- Radioactive contamination
- Unlawful dismissal (not covered unless your BOP includes employment practices liability insurance)
How Much Does Landscaper Insurance Cost?
Several factors influence the amount you’ll pay for landscaper insurance.
- Type of business: The kind of landscaping business you operate affects your rates. For instance, the median annual insurance cost for a tree service company is $1,650, whereas it’s $507 for a landscape designer, according to Insureon.
- Coverage type and limits: The type of coverage and the policy limits you choose significantly influence your insurance costs. Higher coverage amounts typically lead to higher premiums.
- Number of employees and occupational risks: The number of employees and the physical demands of their jobs directly affect workers’ compensation insurance costs.
- Claims history: A history of workplace accidents often results in higher insurance premiums.
- Additional considerations: Insurers also consider the size and location of your business, property related to the business, employee driving records, and payroll size when determining your premiums.
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How to Save on Landscaper Insurance?
You have several ways to cut your business insurance costs.
- Shop around. Compare policies from different insurers to find the best coverage at the most affordable price.
- Bundle your policies. A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) that combines general liability, business interruption, and commercial property insurance generally costs less than purchasing each separately.
- Raise the deductible on your commercial auto policy. Opting for a higher deductible on your commercial auto policy can lower your premiums.
- Choose workers who are good drivers. Employees with clean driving records can help reduce insurance costs. Obtain driving records (with consent) from your state motor vehicles department to make informed hiring decisions.
- Ensure proper classification of your workers. Accurate job descriptions and adherence to assigned roles can lead to savings on workers’ compensation insurance. Consult your insurance agent if you have questions about proper classification.
- Become a member of a trade or industry association. Membership in a trade or industry group with at least 300 members facing similar risks may offer reduced group rates for workers’ compensation insurance.
- Establish a safety program for your business. Implementing and documenting safety measures can make you eligible for insurance discounts.
- Choose to pay insurance premiums in an annual lump sum. Opting to pay your insurance premiums in an annual lump sum instead of monthly can qualify you for a discount.
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Where Can You Get Landscaper Insurance?
Lawn care business insurance provides essential coverage options tailored to the unique risks faced by landscaping companies. Many insurers offer standard business insurance that you can customize to create the ideal policy for your landscaping needs.
NEXT Insurance specializes in small businesses, offering tailored solutions for landscapers through a digital-first approach.
Key Features:
- Customized Policies: Flexible policies specifically designed for landscaping businesses, covering common risks like property damage and bodily injury.
- Online Convenience: The entire insurance process, from getting a quote to managing claims, is handled online for quick and easy access.
- Competitive Pricing: Affordable premiums, ideal for small to medium-sized landscaping businesses.
- Fast, online application and claims process
- Customizable policies to fit specific landscaping needs
- Cost-effective coverage options
- Limited in-person support
- May not suit larger businesses with more complex needs
Chubb is a globally recognized insurance provider known for comprehensive coverage options and exceptional customer service.
Key Features:
- Extensive Coverage: Comprehensive packages including general liability, property damage, and workers’ compensation tailored for landscapers.
- Risk Management Services: Offers resources to help businesses minimize potential losses and improve safety practices.
Strong Financial Stability: Boasts strong financial ratings, ensuring reliability and trustworthiness.
- Comprehensive and customizable coverage options
- Excellent customer service and support
- Access to risk management tools and resources
- Higher premiums compared to some providers
- More complex application process
Travelers is one of the largest and most established insurance providers in the U.S., offering extensive coverage options for landscaping businesses.
Key Features:
- Wide Range of Coverage: Variety of products, including general liability, property insurance, and commercial auto insurance
- Risk Control Services: Helps businesses identify and mitigate potential hazards
Efficient Claims Handling: Known for quick and fair resolutions
- Extensive coverage tailored to the landscaping industry
- Strong financial stability and reputation
- Comprehensive risk management and claims services
- More expensive than digital-first insurers
- Detailed and time-consuming application process
The Hartford is a well-established provider focusing on customer service, offering various insurance products for landscaping businesses.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Coverage: Includes general liability, property insurance, and business income protection
- Customer Service Excellence: Known for exceptional service and personalized support
Risk Management Tools: Access to resources for improving safety and reducing risks
- Broad coverage options with a focus on business protection
- Excellent customer service and support
- Strong risk management tools and resources
- Higher premiums than some competitors
- Less emphasis on online services compared to digital-first insurers
Landscaper Business Insurance – FAQs
Bottom Line
Running a landscaping business comes with unique risks, from accidental property damage to on-the-job injuries. Having the right insurance coverage is not just a legal requirement but also a smart business strategy to protect your financial health and reputation.
