What type of insurance do I need for my landscaping business?
Landscaping is unlike other trades. Your raw materials are the natural world. From putting together a new yard to creating a backyard oasis, you face unique challenges every day.
Whether you’re a gardener, groundskeeper, lawn care specialist, or you work in horticulture, one thing that all landscaping businesses have in common is risk exposure. That’s why landscaping business insurance is so critical.
It’s one thing to know how vital landscaping business insurance is, but understanding the type of insurance your landscaping business needs is another. There are unique needs that you face as a seasonal, outdoor business.
There are some critical areas where you face risks as a landscaper and how the appropriate coverage can help your business recover if damages or losses occur.
What type of insurance do landscapers need?
Every landscaping business insurance policy is different. To make it easier to get the right coverage, we’ve compiled a list of some of the essential coverages to consider when building your policy.
Commercial general liability insurance
Depending on the scope of your project, a lot is going on at the job site. The risk is inherent in every project, with excavators driving around, heavy building materials, uneven surfaces, and more. It’s important to protect your landscaping business in case of injury or property damage.
Commercial general liability insurance, or CGL insurance, can protect landscaping companies when they face liability claims for bodily injury or property damage to a third party. For example, if you’re working in a client’s backyard and your client trips over your equipment, injuring their knee, they could file a lawsuit against your business. Your CGL policy can help with the costs associated with the suit.
CGL insurance is essential for protecting you from day-to-day risks. Few businesses can afford a costly lawsuit—keep your business protected.
Commercial property insurance
A benefit of owning a landscaping business is the flexibility to run your business where you want to. You can run it from the comfort of your home or rent a commercial space. Either way, you may need commercial property insurance as part of your coverage.
If a natural disaster destroys your property or someone steals from you, commercial property insurance can help with the costs associated with the loss. This coverage can protect your bottom line and can help limit your business’ downtime. It can go beyond equipment to business contents like furniture, equipment, inventory, supplies, and more.
Employee protection insurance
The work you do is challenging. There’s no way around it. You’re lifting heavy materials, digging in the earth, and moving all day. You may also be doing it all in the hot summer sun. You want to attract and retain the best employees who can handle the landscaping lifestyle.
One way to attract the best talent is by protecting your employees and their families with a group benefits plan that includes life insurance, extended health coverage, and dental coverage. It may also motivate your employees to go the extra mile for your landscaping business.
Equipment floater insurance
Specific tasks require specific tools. You need the right equipment to get the job done. Without it, there is no way you could transform that drab backyard into a heavenly patio.
Be prepared when equipment breaks down. Depending on the reason for the sudden and accidental breakdown, equipment breakdown insurance can ensure that your landscaping business is protected by helping to cover the repair or replacement costs.
Installation floater insurance
Installations can be tricky work. If you install products or fixtures for your customers, this form of coverage could protect you in case something gets damaged before or during the installation.
Commercial auto insurance
Your vehicles are the lifeblood of your company. You need your trucks and vehicles to get the job done, whether you’re travelling to a home for an estimate, bringing in the supplies, or hauling away the yard waste.
That’s why you’re going to need commercial auto insurance. Unlike a personal auto policy, commercial auto insurance helps protect the company car, the employees driving it, and any passengers inside.
Some small business owners assume that they’re covered by their personal auto policies while using their vehicles for commercial purposes. However, some crucial differences between the policy types can leave you vulnerable to risks and losses.
Business interruption insurance
Business interruption insurance is essential for most small businesses, including landscaping companies. Unexpected losses can come in many forms and interrupt or stall your business at any moment, draining you and your wallet.
This policy comes into play when a loss forces you to suspend operations. Business interruption insurance can replace a source of income that’s disrupted, reduced, or completely eliminated. Furthermore, it can cover additional operating expenses that result from a covered loss.
Who Needs landscaper insurance?
Landscaping is a term that encompasses a spectrum of professionals. We can provide landscaping business insurance to a variety of companies throughout the industry, including:
Landscapers
Groundskeepers
Gardeners
Arborists
Irrigation technicians
Field technicians
Well drilling contractors
Tree removal professionals
Ready to get a landscaper insurance quote?
Landscaping business insurance is an essential part of protecting your small business. With the proper insurance, you can start, run, and grow your business without worrying about the inherent risks.
As an insurance provider specializing in insurance for small businesses, you can be confident that TruShield Insurance understands the needs of your business and will ensure your coverage is catered to your unique needs. With us, you’ll have access to a claims support team 24/7, risk management resources, exclusive customer perks, and legal advice through Legal Assist.
Don’t leave your landscaping business exposed.