Buy Landscaping Insurance

Landscaping insurance is a type of insurance coverage specifically designed for businesses and individuals who provide landscaping services.

This type of insurance typically includes liability coverage, which protects the business or individual from financial loss in the event that they are found to be legally responsible for damages or injuries caused by their landscaping activities. It may also include coverage for damage to equipment or property, as well as loss of income in the event that the business is forced to shut down due to a covered loss.

Landscaping insurance is typically purchased by landscaping companies, lawn care businesses, and other organizations that provide landscaping services.

The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small landscaping and lawn care businesses ranges from $37 to $59 per month based on location, size, payroll, sales and experience.

Landscapers need insurance for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it protects them financially in case of any unexpected accidents or injuries that may occur on the job. Landscaping can involve working with heavy machinery and equipment, and accidents can happen even with the most careful and experienced professionals. Insurance can help cover the costs of medical treatment and lost wages if a landscaper is injured on the job.

Additionally, landscapers may be held liable for any damage they cause to a client's property while working. For example, if a tree falls and damages a client's home or car, the landscaper may be held responsible for the damages. Insurance can help cover these costs and protect the landscaper from financial ruin.

Finally, insurance can protect landscapers from lawsuits if a client is unhappy with the work performed or if a client is injured on the property. Legal fees can be costly, and insurance can help cover these costs if a lawsuit arises.

Overall, landscaping insurance is essential for landscapers to protect themselves and their business from financial loss and legal issues. It allows them to focus on providing high-quality services to their clients without the added stress and worry of potential accidents or legal issues.

Landscapers typically need the following types of insurance:

• General Liability: This covers any bodily injury or property damage that may occur during the course of business.
• Workers Compensation: This covers medical expenses and lost wages if an employee is injured while working.
• Business Auto: This covers damages to vehicles used for business purposes.
• Commercial Property: This covers damages to equipment or tools used in the business.
• Professional Liability: This covers errors or omissions made by the landscaper during the course of their work.

In addition to the above types of insurance, landscapers may also want to consider purchasing:

• Commercial Umbrella: This provides additional liability coverage above and beyond the limits of the general liability policy.
• Inland Marine: This covers tools and equipment that are transported to and from job sites.
• Employment Practices Liability: This covers claims made by employees for workplace discrimination, harassment, or wrongful termination.
• Environmental Liability: This covers any damages to the environment caused by the landscaper's business operations.

It is important for landscapers to carefully assess their specific risks and needs in order to determine the appropriate insurance coverage for their business. Working with a knowledgeable insurance broker or agent can help ensure that all necessary coverage is obtained.

Property exposures may be limited to an office and a storage yard for vehicles or equipment. Property exposures may include the use or sale of live and growing plants, shrubs, bushes, trees, or flowers. These may grow outside in a yard or in a structure such as a greenhouse. Both the structure and the growing stock are susceptible to damage by fire, wind, hail, and vandalism. The stock is also vulnerable to loss by frost and animals or insects.

Specialty coverages designed specifically for growing stock may be needed. Older greenhouses may be subject to frequent glass breakage since they are typically made with the lowest grade of plate glass. Newer greenhouses are simply frames with plastic coverings which need frequent replacement as they tend to yellow or cloud in the weather and block out sunlight needed by plants. There may be backup systems or generators employed to prevent freezing or other temperature losses. Fire hazards can be high from the flammables used in the repair of vehicles or equipment, such as solvents and degreasers, and the chemicals in fertilizers and insecticides. These must all be well controlled, labeled, and separated with proper storage in the appropriate containers and storage facilities.

Premises liability exposures can be light at the landscaper's own premises if there is no public access. If there is a nursery, the exposure increases as customers may slip or fall on wet flooring or dirt or trip over equipment. Plants and equipment stored in the open can present an attractive nuisance. At job sites, hazards include injury or damage from stones or other debris thrown by power mowers, trimmers, and other equipment.

Tree trimming may result in falling tools, branches or debris that may injure persons, damage vehicles or other property, or fall onto power or communication lines. Use of chain saws on trunks or limbs and the use of chippers for disposal may result in flying debris that can cause serious bodily injury. The areas of operation should be restricted by barriers and proper signage to protect the public from slips and falls from spills and equipment and supplies impeding access.

The application of lawn chemicals presents both a premises and completed operations hazard that could result in serious long-term injury, illness, or disease to customers and passersby. Overspray from operations could result in small but frequent property damage losses. Contractors who do not obtain and keep proper licensing and certification for chemical applications create a serious liability exposure to themselves.

Environmental impairment exposure is significant. The application of chemicals can result in damage to air, soil, or groundwater. The landscaper must comply with all federal, state, and municipal regulations regarding the use and disposal of chemicals and waste products. Employees who handle chemicals must have the appropriate licenses and certifications individually.

Workers compensation exposures are high due to the operation of machinery and equipment, work at heights, work on uneven ground, and exposure to underground or above ground cables and lines. Use of power-cutting equipment can result in cuts and possible amputations. Back injuries, hernias, sprains, and strains can result from lifting. Chemical applications may cause lung problems along with allergic reactions and other more serious complications. Casual labor, seasonal workforce, and high turnover present a significant loss control challenge.

Inland marine exposure includes accounts receivable if the landscaper offers credit to customers, contractors' equipment, goods in transit, and valuable papers and records for customers' and suppliers' information. Equipment may include mowers, sprayers, cherry pickers for tree trimming and trenchers for underground work. Goods in transit may be damaged by fire, collision or overturn. While the transport of fully grown trees for planting is rare, the stock may be of high value. Vehicles containing stock should be attended at all times.

Crime exposures are from employee dishonesty. Background checks, including criminal histories, should be obtained on each employee prior to hiring. Ordering, billing, and disbursement should be handled as separate duties with reconciliations occurring regularly. There should be appropriate procedures in place when employees accept payments off site.

Business auto exposures can be very limited if the service is maintenance only and does not supply plants. If plants and large trees are transported, the exposure increases due to the possibility of the load being involved in a collision or overturn. Vehicles may be custom designed with specialty equipment, such as lifts, cherry pickers, and tree planting or removal equipment.

Drivers should be aware of and be able to perform cleanup procedures in the event of a collision or vehicle overturn. All drivers must be well trained and have valid licenses for the type of vehicle being driven. MVRs must be run on a regular basis. Random drug and alcohol testing should be conducted. Vehicles must be well maintained with records kept in a central location.

Research the options that are available for your business prior to making your final landscaping insurance purchase.

Landscapers can face a variety of lawsuits that may arise from their work, including property damage, bodily injury, or negligence. In order to protect themselves and their business, landscapers often obtain insurance coverage that can help cover the costs of any legal proceedings or damages. Here are some examples of why landscapers might be sued and how insurance can help:

Property damage: Landscapers can be sued for damages to a client's property, such as a broken sprinkler system, damaged plants or trees, or accidental damage caused by heavy equipment. General liability insurance can help cover the costs of repairing or replacing the damaged property.

Bodily injury: If someone is injured on a client's property while the landscaper is working, the landscaper can be sued for medical expenses and other damages. General liability insurance can help cover the costs of medical bills and legal fees associated with the lawsuit.

Negligence: If a landscaper fails to take reasonable care in performing their duties, they can be sued for negligence. For example, if a landscaper fails to properly trim a tree and a branch falls and injures someone, the landscaper can be sued for negligence. Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance, can help cover the costs of legal fees and damages resulting from such claims.

In addition to these examples, there may be other reasons why landscapers can be sued, such as breach of contract or employment-related claims. However, obtaining appropriate insurance coverage can help protect landscapers from the financial burden of these lawsuits and enable them to continue operating their business with confidence.