Do landscapers need insurance? The short answer is yes! Landscaping involves more than cutting grass and designing outdoor spaces. It’s a business with real financial risks. A single accident, lawsuit, or theft can derail your operations.
What Is Landscaping Insurance?
Landscaping insurance is a specialized type of business insurance designed to protect landscapers from common industry risks, such as:
- Property damage: Accidentally damaging a client’s window, fence, or vehicle due to propelled rocks while moving lawns
- Bodily injury: A third party — like a client or pedestrian — gets injured due to your work
- Equipment theft: Stolen or damaged tools and machinery
- Lawsuits and liability claims: Disputes over damages, errors, or injuries
A single claim can cost thousands, but the right insurance coverage protects you from paying out of pocket.
Who Needs Landscaping Insurance?
No matter how big or small, your company needs insurance if you provide any of these services:
- Lawn maintenance
- Landscaping
- Small tree and shrub care
- Gutter cleaning
- Groundskeeping
- Holiday decoration installation
Even if you operate a business that only offers seasonal services, you still need protection. For example, tree trimmer insurance is essential for those doing Spring cleanups, and gardeners need coverage from early planting to winter prep.
What Kind of Insurance Does a Landscaping Company Need?
The right coverage helps you weather accidents, injuries, and lawsuits so your company stays strong. Several factors determine your specific policy needs, like how you operate and the size of your business. The most common landscaping policies include:
- General liability insurance
- Tools and equipment insurance
- Workers compensation
- Commercial auto
- Additional insureds
- Landscaping bonds
- Professional liability insurance
- Cyber liability insurance
- Commercial property insurance
General Liability Insurance for Landscapers
Do you work on client properties? General liability insurance is a must.
This policy protects your business from third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury that may occur during your work.
For instance, if a falling tree branch injures a passerby while you’re trimming trees or if a rock from your lawnmower accidentally shatters a nearby window, this insurance can help cover medical expenses, property damage, and legal costs associated with the incident.
- What does general liability insurance cover?
- Bodily injury: Medical expenses and legal fees if someone is injured due to your business operations
- Property damage: Costs to repair or replace property damaged during your work
- Personal and advertising injury: Legal expenses related to claims of libel, slander, or false advertising
Tools and Equipment Insurance for Landscapers
Do you count on your tools every day? Best to have tools and equipment insurance.
Also known as inland marine insurance, this coverage protects your essential tools and equipment against theft or accidental damage.
If your leaf blower gets stolen or your hedge trimmer gets damaged while traveling between jobs, your policy covers the cost, so you’re not left bearing the full expense of replacement or repair.
- What does inland marine insurance cover?
- Theft: Replacement costs for stolen equipment
- Damage: Repair or replacement costs for equipment accidentally damaged in transit or on the job (not including wear and tear)
Workers Compensation Insurance for Landscapers
Do you have employees? Workers compensation is required in most states.
Workers compensation insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages if an employee is injured or becomes ill due to work-related activities.
For example, if an employee twists an ankle while mowing a lawn, your insurance covers their treatment and compensates for lost income during recovery.
- What does workers compensation insurance cover?
- Medical expenses: Covers treatment costs for work-related injuries or illnesses
- Missed wages: Provides income replacement if an employee can’t work due to an injury
- Injury rehabilitation: Helps with physical therapy and recovery
- Legal fees: Covers attorney costs if an injured employee takes legal action
- Disability and survivor benefits: Offers financial support for long-term disabilities or fatal workplace incidents
Commercial Auto Insurance for Landscapers
Do you or your employees drive to job sites? You need commercial auto insurance.
Commercial auto insurance protects your business vehicles and trailers from accidents, theft, and damage.
If one of your employees rear-ends another vehicle while hauling a trailer full of equipment, commercial auto insurance can help cover the cost of repairs, medical bills, and legal fees.
- What does commercial auto insurance cover?
- Accidents: Covers repairs or replacement if your business vehicle is involved in a crash
- Liability coverage: Pays for property damage and medical costs if you’re at fault in an accident
- Theft and vandalism: Protects against vehicle theft and vandalism
Additional Insureds
Need coverage for clients, landlords, or business partners? Additional insureds provide extra protection.
Many clients, landlords, or business partners require you to add them to your policy as additional insureds before they sign a contract. If you work with multiple clients who need this coverage, don’t worry — there’s no limit to how many additional insureds you can add.
If a property manager hires you for routine lawn maintenance and wants protection in case of an accident on their property, add them as an additional insured to meet their requirements.
- How are additional insureds covered?
- Shared liability protection: Covers claims related to your landscaping work
- Contract compliance: Meets client or landlord insurance requirements
- Legal defense: Covers attorney costs if a lawsuit is filed
Landscaping Bonds
Want to guarantee your work and build trust? Consider landscaping bonds.
Landscaping bonds (also called business service bonds) protect your clients from financial loss due to employee theft or dishonest acts while on the job. While not legally required, many commercial clients prefer working with bonded landscapers as an added layer of trust and security.
For instance, if a client hires you for routine lawn maintenance at their commercial property and an employee is caught stealing tools from the job site, the landscaping bond can reimburse the client for their loss.
- How do landscaping bonds work?
- Client protection: Covers financial losses if an employee steals from a client
- Builds credibility: Shows clients your business is trustworthy and reliable
- Contract requirement: Some clients may require a bond before hiring your services
Professional Liability Insurance For Landscape Designers
Do you offer landscape design? Professional liability protects you from errors.
This policy, also known as errors and omissions or E&O insurance, covers claims related to professional mistakes, missed deadlines, or unsatisfactory work.
If a client claims your irrigation system design caused excessive flooding on their property, professional liability insurance covers the legal fees and potential damages.
- What does errors and omissions insurance cover?
- Design errors: Covers financial losses due to flawed landscape designs
- Missed deadlines: Protection if a project delay results in client financial loss
- Negligence claims: Covers legal costs if a client claims your work caused harm
Cyber Liability Insurance
Storing client data or accepting online payments? Cyber liability insurance protects you.
Cyber liability insurance protects your landscaping business from cyber threats like data breaches, hacking, and online fraud.
If a hacker steals client credit card information from your system, cyber liability insurance helps pay for the related legal fees and customer notification costs.
- What does cyber liability insurance cover?
- Data breaches: Covers the costs of notifying affected customers and handling legal claims
- Regulatory fines: Helps pay fines for privacy law violations
- Ransomware attacks: Assists with ransom payments if hackers lock your data
- Fraud scams: Helps recover money lost from phishing or cyber deception
Commercial Property Insurance
Own or rent an office, storage unit, or warehouse? You need commercial property insurance.
Whether you store equipment in a shop or run operations from an office, commercial property insurance protects your physical assets.
If a fire damages your landscaping equipment storage facility, commercial property insurance is designed to cover repairs and replace equipment so you can get back to business.
- What does commercial property insurance cover?
- Building damage: Covers repair or replacement costs for fire, storms, or vandalism
- Equipment and inventory: Protects expensive tools, computers, and inventory
- Business interruption: Covers lost income if property damage forces you to pause work
How Much Does Landscaping Insurance Cost?
Landscaping business insurance starts at just $31 per month. If you opt for an annual payment plan, you can save up to 12% on your premium.
What determines my premium cost?
Several factors influence the price of your landscaping insurance, including:
- Business size and revenue: Larger businesses with more employees or higher revenue may have larger premiums
- Coverage limits: Increase your limits for an additional premium
- Location: Your business location impacts pricing due to regional risk factors
- Claims history: A history of claims can result in higher insurance costs
Your final costs also depend on the optional add-ons you select, such as cyber liability or tools and equipment insurance.
What Are the Risks of Not Having Insurance?
Skipping insurance might seem like a way to cut costs, but it can leave your landscaping business vulnerable to financial disaster.
Property damage costs
Homeowners and businesses expect you to cover any damage you cause, and those expenses can add up quickly.
Claim example: A weedeater kicks up some stones and shatters a homeowner’s sliding glass door. Insurance covers the cost of replacing the door, saving the business from an unexpected expense.
Lawsuits and legal fees
Even when you take every precaution, accidents can still happen, and some can lead to lawsuits. If a third party gets injured due to your work, they could hold your business responsible.
Claim example: A landscaper accidentally damages a gas line while pulling up a small palm tree. Insurance covers the cost of repairing the damage and the associated legal fees.
Equipment theft
Landscaping tools are essential to your business, and theft is common. Losing thousands of dollars worth of mowers, trimmers, and blowers can halt operations and create a major financial setback.
Claim example: Thieves break into a landscaping business trailer and steal a chainsaw, blower, and weed eater, totaling over $2,000 in value. Insurance covers the cost of replacing this essential gear.
Injured employees
Landscaping is physically demanding, and injuries can happen. If one of your workers gets hurt while working, your business may be responsible for their medical bills and lost wages.
Claim example: A worker slips while mowing a hill, causing the mower to tip and injure their leg. Workers compensation coverage ensures their medical bills and time off are covered.
Auto accidents
Driving from job to job increases the risk of accidents, whether it’s a minor fender bender or a more serious crash. If you or an employee cause an accident while driving a work vehicle, you could be liable for property damage, medical bills, and even legal claims.
Claim example: A landscaping truck accidentally scratches a customer’s Jeep Grand Cherokee while maneuvering in a driveway. Insurance covers the repair costs, preventing an out-of-pocket expense for the business.
Lost business contracts
Many commercial clients, homeowner’s associations (HOAs), and government contracts require proof of landscaping insurance before hiring you.
Consequence of not having coverage: A landscaper loses a bid on a lucrative HOA contract because they couldn’t provide proof of general liability insurance. That’s not just lost revenue — it’s lost growth potential for the business.
Risk Mitigation Strategies for Landscaping Businesses
Taking these steps ensures your landscaping business operates safely, legally, and profitably — no matter what challenges arise.
- Train employees on safety protocols
Teach your crew how to safely operate heavy equipment, handle hazardous chemicals like pesticides, and wear protective gear when using power tools. For instance, using safety goggles while edging can prevent eye injuries from flying debris.
- Maintain and secure equipment
Broken or stolen gear can derail your business. Regularly inspect and service mowers, trimmers, and blowers to prevent breakdowns and always lock up your equipment when it’s not in use.
- Use contracts for every job
A solid contract outlines your services, pricing, and liability limitations, protecting you from disputes. For example, if a client expects weekly lawn mowing but you only agreed to bi-weekly service, a signed agreement prevents miscommunication.
- Follow local regulations and licensing requirements
Many states require landscapers to have proper business licenses, pesticide application permits, and even insurance to operate legally. Staying compliant prevents fines or business shutdowns.
- Plan for weather-related disruptions
Landscaping businesses are vulnerable to extreme weather, from heavy storms damaging client properties to heatwaves causing worker exhaustion. Have an emergency plan, a rescheduling policy, and safety protocols in place to prepare for the unexpected.
How to Apply for Landscaping Insurance
Applying for landscaping insurance is simple. Follow these steps to get covered with Insurance Canopy:
- Assess your needs: Determine what types of coverage your landscaping business requires, such as general liability, equipment protection, or workers compensation
- Get a quote: Fill out your landscaping insurance application and get your personalized quote in minutes
- Purchase your policy: Once you’ve selected the best plan, finalize your coverage and get your proof of insurance
Need any help? Reach out to us — we’re happy to help!
Common Questions About Landscaping Insurance
What type of insurance do I need for a lawn care business?
Lawn care businesses typically need general liability insurance to cover property damage and third-party injuries. Additional coverage options include cyber liability, tools and equipment coverage, and workers’ compensation if you have employees.
What is the difference between liability insurance and bonding for landscapers?
Liability insurance covers third-party injuries or property damage caused by your landscaping business. Bonding, on the other hand, protects your clients if your employee steals from them. Liability insurance covers accidents, while bonding builds trust with customers by offering financial protection against dishonest acts.
Do I need insurance if I’m a solo landscaper without employees?
Yes! Even if you work alone, general liability insurance protects you from claims related to property damage or injuries. If you use expensive tools, consider equipment coverage to safeguard your gear from theft or damage
Can I cancel my policy during the off-season?
Yes, you can cancel your policy in the off-season. However, Insurance Canopy policies are fully earned once coverage starts, meaning they are typically non-refundable. While you can cancel anytime, paying annually can help you save money and avoid the hassle of reapplying every season. We recommend reviewing your policy terms for refund eligibility to avoid surprises.
Get Insured With Insurance Canopy
Landscaping insurance protects you, your team, and your clients. It helps you handle the unexpected so you can focus on what you do best — transforming outdoor spaces — without worrying about what-ifs. Secure your coverage today and keep your business growing strong!
