Landscaping Contractor Insurance That Helps Protect Your Business.
From routine lawn care to landscape installations, every job comes with unique risks. Our agents compare options from 20+ top-rated carriers to help build insurance solutions tailored to your landscaping business.
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Have A Conversation
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We Shop The Markets
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Keep Your Landscaping Business Growing with the Right Protection
With FirstMark Insurance’s dedicated commercial insurance team, you get local experts comparing coverage from over 20 insurance carriers to help protect your landscaping business, employees, tools, equipment, and vehicles—with strong coverage and competitive pricing.
Landscaping contractors work with heavy equipment, power tools, vehicles, customer property, and employees across a variety of residential and commercial jobsites. From routine landscape maintenance to installation projects and larger property improvements, even a small accident can potentially result in an expensive claim.
Landscaping contractor insurance can help protect your business against certain risks involving property damage, customer injuries, employee accidents, vehicles, tools, and equipment. Whether you're a self-employed landscaper or operate multiple crews, the right insurance program can be tailored around the size and scope of your business.
The coverage appropriate for a landscaping company may depend on the services performed, annual revenue, payroll, employees, vehicles, equipment, subcontractor usage, and the types of properties you service.
What Insurance Does a Landscaping Contractor Need?
Landscaping contractor insurance generally isn't a single policy. Instead, an insurance program may include several types of commercial coverage selected according to the risks associated with your particular operation.
General Liability Insurance
Landscaping contractor general liability insurance may help protect your business against certain claims involving bodily injury or property damage arising from your operations.
For example, landscaping equipment could accidentally damage a customer's property, flying debris could damage a nearby vehicle or window, or someone could be injured around an active work area. Depending on the circumstances and policy terms, general liability insurance may provide coverage for qualifying claims.
Commercial customers, homeowners associations, property managers, and general contractors may also require proof of general liability insurance before allowing a landscaping contractor to begin work.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Landscaping employees can encounter a variety of workplace hazards, including power equipment, heavy materials, repetitive lifting, uneven terrain, and exposure to outdoor conditions.
Workers' compensation insurance may provide benefits for qualifying employees who experience work-related injuries or illnesses. Requirements vary depending on the business structure and where the landscaping company operates.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Trucks and other vehicles are essential to many landscaping businesses. Crews may travel between multiple properties each day while towing trailers and transporting employees, materials, tools, and equipment.
Commercial auto insurance may provide liability and physical damage coverage for qualifying business-owned vehicles. Additional coverage options may be available depending on how the vehicles are owned and used.
Trailers, mowers, tools, and other equipment transported by a vehicle may require separate insurance, so these exposures should be discussed with an insurance professional.
Landscaping Tools and Equipment Insurance
Landscaping companies can have a substantial investment in tools and equipment. Contractors tools and equipment coverage, often provided through inland marine insurance, may help protect qualifying property while it is being transported, used at a jobsite, or temporarily stored away from the primary business location.
Coverage may be available for items such as:
- Commercial lawn mowers
- Trimmers and edgers
- Leaf blowers
- Chainsaws
- Power tools
- Pressure washers
- Generators
- Other portable landscaping equipment
Larger equipment such as skid steers, mini excavators, tractors, and loaders may require additional contractors equipment coverage. Coverage limits and eligible equipment can vary by policy.
Commercial Property Insurance
Landscaping companies that own or lease an office, warehouse, shop, or equipment storage facility may want to consider commercial property insurance.
Depending on the policy, coverage may help protect buildings, office equipment, inventory, supplies, and other business property against certain covered losses.
Commercial Umbrella or Excess Liability Insurance
Some landscaping businesses may benefit from liability limits beyond those provided by their primary policies.
Commercial umbrella or excess liability insurance may provide additional limits above certain underlying insurance policies. Higher limits might also be required when performing work for municipalities, commercial property owners, general contractors, property management companies, or other larger customers.
Insurance for Different Types of Landscaping Contractors
Landscaping businesses can offer a broad range of services, and the work performed may influence insurance eligibility, coverage, and cost.
Insurance options may be available for contractors providing services such as:
- Lawn and landscape maintenance
- Landscape installation
- Planting and garden installation
- Mulching and bed maintenance
- Hedge and shrub trimming
- Irrigation installation and repair
- Hardscape installation
- Landscape lighting
- Property cleanup
- Commercial grounds maintenance
Contractors should accurately describe all of the services they perform when applying for insurance. Operations such as tree removal, excavation, pesticide or herbicide application, snow removal, retaining wall construction, or other specialized services may require different insurance classifications or additional coverage.
Landscaping Insurance for Commercial and Residential Work
Landscaping contractors may work on residential properties, commercial buildings, apartment complexes, homeowners associations, retail centers, and other properties. Each type of customer can create different insurance considerations.
Commercial contracts may require specific liability limits, certificates of insurance, or additional insured status before work begins. Residential landscapers may have different exposures involving customers' homes, vehicles, fences, irrigation systems, and other personal property.
Businesses serving both residential and commercial customers should make sure their insurance accurately reflects their overall operations.
Landscaping Contractors and Subcontractors
Some landscaping companies use subcontractors for specialized work or to provide additional labor during busy periods. Insurance companies may have specific requirements regarding subcontracted operations.
Landscaping contractors may need to obtain certificates of insurance from subcontractors and verify that appropriate coverage is maintained. Written subcontractor agreements and additional insured requirements may also be appropriate depending on the project.
The amount and type of work performed by subcontractors should be accurately disclosed when obtaining insurance.
Protect Your Home Building Business
A landscaping business can represent a significant investment in vehicles, trailers, tools, equipment, employees, and customer relationships. Appropriate insurance coverage can help provide financial protection when certain unexpected accidents or losses occur.
The insurance needs of a small residential landscaper can be very different from those of a larger company operating multiple crews and servicing commercial properties. Annual revenue, payroll, services performed, vehicles, equipment values, subcontractor usage, and claims history can all influence coverage needs and pricing.
Working with an independent insurance agent can provide access to multiple insurance companies and coverage options, helping you find an insurance program appropriate for your landscaping business.
FAQs
What insurance does a landscaping contractor need?
A landscaping contractor's insurance program may include general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, tools and equipment, and commercial property insurance. Depending on the services performed, umbrella liability and other specialized coverage may also be appropriate.
Does landscaping insurance cover mowers and other equipment?
Coverage for commercial mowers, tools, and other landscaping equipment may be available through inland marine or contractors equipment insurance. Depending on the policy, qualifying equipment may be protected while at a jobsite, in transit, or temporarily stored away from the primary business location.
Does landscaping contractor insurance cover property damage?
General liability insurance may provide coverage for certain qualifying property damage claims arising from landscaping operations. Whether a particular incident is covered depends on the circumstances and the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of the policy.
How much does landscaping contractor insurance cost?
Landscaping contractor insurance costs can vary based on annual revenue, payroll, number of employees, services performed, vehicles, equipment values, subcontractor usage, claims history, and selected coverage limits. Operations such as tree work, excavation, or pesticide application may also affect insurance eligibility and pricing.