Landscaping Business Insurance: What Lawn Care and Landscaping Companies Need
Insurance for landscapers and lawn care businesses: general liability, commercial auto, equipment coverage, pesticide exposures and workers' comp.
Landscaping and lawn care businesses work outdoors with powerful equipment, heavy vehicles and sometimes chemicals, often on customers' property. That combination creates several distinct risks, and a typical landscaping insurance program reflects each one.
Common landscaping risks
- Rocks or debris thrown by mowers and trimmers breaking windows or hitting cars.
- Damage to underground utilities, irrigation lines or hardscapes.
- A customer or passerby tripping over equipment or hoses.
- Theft of mowers, trimmers and trailers.
- Accidents while towing trailers.
- Injuries to workers from equipment, heat, lifting or falls.
- Chemical drift or misapplication.
General liability
General liability is the foundation for most landscapers. It's designed for third-party claims, such as a broken window from a thrown stone or a neighbor's car damaged during a job. Ask whether the policy has exclusions relevant to your services, for example tree removal above a certain height or snow removal, which some insurers treat separately.
Tools and equipment coverage
Mowers, blowers, trimmers, aerators and other gear add up quickly and are frequently stolen. They usually aren't covered by your auto policy and may have limited coverage under a standard property policy when they're away from your premises. A tools and equipment policy, often called inland marine coverage, is designed to protect equipment that moves between jobs.
Commercial auto and trailers
Trucks and trailers used for business usually need commercial auto insurance. Make sure trailers are listed correctly and ask how liability and physical damage apply while towing.
Pesticides, herbicides and pollution exclusions
Many general liability policies exclude pollution-related claims, which can affect businesses that apply fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Many states also require applicator licensing. If chemical application is part of your service, ask your insurer whether it's covered and whether you need a specific endorsement or separate policy.
Workers' compensation
Landscaping involves lifting, power equipment, heat exposure and sometimes heights. Check your state's workers' comp rules as soon as you hire. Seasonal and part-time workers may still count toward state requirements.
Coverage summary
| Risk | Coverage to ask about |
|---|---|
| Damage to customer or neighbor property | General liability |
| Stolen or damaged equipment | Tools and equipment (inland marine) |
| Truck and trailer accidents | Commercial auto |
| Chemical application claims | Pollution or pesticide endorsement |
| Worker injuries | Workers' compensation |
| Large claims | Umbrella liability |
Reducing claims
- Walk each property before mowing to remove stones and debris.
- Use deflector chutes and keep a safe distance from cars and windows.
- Call before you dig to locate underground utilities.
- Lock equipment and trailers, and record serial numbers and photos.
- Provide water breaks and heat safety training.
Frequently asked questions
Is damage from a rock thrown by a mower covered?
Third-party property damage like a broken window from a thrown rock is the kind of claim general liability is commonly designed for, subject to the policy terms and exclusions.
Do I need special coverage to spray pesticides?
Possibly. Many general liability policies contain pollution exclusions, and many states require licensing for applicators. Ask your insurer whether chemical application is covered or needs an endorsement.
Are my mowers covered by my auto insurance?
Usually not. Mowers and other equipment are typically covered by a separate tools and equipment (inland marine) policy. Trailers may need to be listed on the auto policy.