Insurance for Lawn Care and Landscapers

Landscape contractors design, install and maintain the exterior land or plot finish. Services offered may include installation of sod for a lawn or grass foundation, placement of trees, bushes, shrubs, flowers and other plants, or the addition of small retaining walls, fountains or other architectural enhancements. Some landscape contractors will change the contours of the grounds, while others will limit their work to planting or maintaining lawns and plants. Some landscapers install or winterize underground sprinkler systems. Others will provide a lawn or grounds maintenance service. Additional operations may include nurseries or lawn and garden shops.

Lawn Care companies generally provide lawn mowing and trimming services on a seasonal basis. Some lawn care services will provide a limited amount of additional services including mulching, planting, blowing and leaf removal.

Recommended Insurance Programs for Landscaping Companies and Lawn Care

Minimum recommended coverage:

• General Liability Insurance
• Inland Marine Coverage
• Property Insurance
• Hired and Non-Owned Auto (full commercial auto if vehicles owned by business)
• Workers Compensation

Other coverages to consider for Lawn Care:
Business Personal Property, Employee Dishonesty, Contractors’ Equipment, Umbrella Liability, Building (if owned), Business Income with Extra Expense, Hail Insurance, Goods in Transit, Installation Floater and Employment Practices Liability Insurance.

Common Commercial Risks and Needs Associated with Landscaping and Lawn Care

General Liability Insurance
GL Insurance exposures arise from installation, service, and attractive nuisance at the job site. Installation or service work 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.

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.

Property Insurance
Property exposures range from simple office and vehicle or equipment storage to full nursery operations. Unique risks to this type of operation may be 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 to cover the loss by causes of natural elements 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.

Commercial Auto
Automobile liability 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. Vehicles may be custom designed with specialty equipment, such as lifts, cherry pickers, tree removal equipment and tree planting equipment. Another concern is chemical spills, especially following collision or upset of the vehicle. Training and prior records of drivers, as well as condition and maintenance of vehicles, are items to consider.

Inland Marine Coverage
Inland marine exposure includes contractors’ equipment and goods in transit. Equipment may include mowers, sprayers, cherry pickers for tree trimming and trenchers for underground work. Goods in transit may be damaged by collision and upset or fire. The transport exposure is based on whether trees are transported, and if so, the size of the trees. While most landscapers will only use young trees, some transport mature trees. This is a very difficult move and requires specialized equipment for both removal and transport.

Workers Compensation
Workers compensation exposures come from the operation of machinery and equipment, including some work at heights, work on uneven ground, and exposure to underground or above ground cables and lines. Since power-cutting equipment is used, there are also potential cuts and possible amputations. Back injuries, hernias, sprains and strains are all common claims. 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.

General Liability Quotes for Lawn Care and Landscapers

General Liability Shop.com offers affordable liability insurance quotes for Lawn Maintenance throughout the U.S. Our Landscaper programs include all lines of business insurance, as well as our Target programs for business owners policies (BOPs). Contact one of our business insurance Specialists today at 800-900-8657, or start a quote online now.

Lawn and Landscaping Liability Classification Codes

Commercial insurance companies use various liability classification systems in order to classify and rate coverage premiums for Lawn Care and Landscapers. Here are the most common business insurance classifications for Lawn Care:

Business Liability Category: Artisan Contractors

SIC Business Insurance Codes:

• 0781: Landscaping and Planning
• 0782: Lawn and Garden Services

NAICS Liability Classifications:

• 541320: Landscaper Architectural Services
• 561730: Landscape Services

Business ISO General Liability:

• 97047: Landscape Gardening
• 97050: Lawn Care Services

Common Workers Compensation Class Codes:

• 0042: Landscapers and Drivers
• 9102: Park Maintenance, Lawn Care and Drivers
• 0106: Tree Pruning or Spraying