Due to the increasing constriction of gardening areas in urban places, space is becoming more and more jealously guarded.
North America has the largest worldly share of landscaping and gardening businesses worldwide, while the global growth trajectory is projected to reach 4.2 percent by 2028. This explains all the more why you should expect higher demand for services as the landscaping scene grows and hence the need for the relevant policy cover.
The more an industry becomes prime, the more the expectations from customers and even regulators – and gardening is not an exception.
This is why gardening business insurance has become such a core need for those who want to have everything in order.
Let’s look at this in detail, including the main types you can expect to find in the market, costs and providers you can trust to deliver the best gardening insurance services.
What is gardening business insurance?
Gardening business insurance is a policy package that protects landscapers from paying out of pocket costs for liabilities such a third party injury, property damage and internal workers’ compensation.
Gardening employs equipment that may lead to injury or cause other damage. Examples of gardening business insurance, especially gardening public liability insurance persist. A company offering tree felling services may often get into hot waters if a tree falls on a client, causing what is known as wrongful death. In another context, the use of tools that constitute anything from pruning sickles to saws may cause losses to a gardener if they are no longer available due to theft or loss. This is where a policy that specifically covers equipment comes to the fore.
If you also own a tractor, please check this resource to learn more about insurance for farm tractors.
Types of gardening businesses covered under gardening insurance
- Lawn mowing business: this is the simplest as it involves the cutting of grass to the desired trim using a mower. If yours is exclusively a lawn mower business, then the best option is lawn mower insurance.
- Horticultural and irrigation services : this type of business involves producing and growing crops especially flowers for ornamental purposes for clients at their homes. Fruit and vegetable growing also falls under this scheme.
- Tree trimming and foliage removal services: this is the use of pruning shears and other cutting equipment to cut down or trim foliage from trees.
- Yard preservation and clearing services.
- Installation services for home yard water sprinkling and pool/fountain construction services.
- Pesticide spraying services.
The main types of insurance that a gardener needs
Time and again, companies register shock at being sued for the slightest errors, from just unmotivated verbal slurs by a worker to magnified personal injury claims.
To avoid such, you need insurance that will always step in promptly to cover these kinds of unexpected costs.
These are the main types in the market today:
1. Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance or gardening public liability insurance settles amounts owed to a client after a successful lawsuit against a landscaper concerning bodily harm or property damage.
Because of its sensitive nature as a third-party claim, liability cases can drain your net revenue if you pay out of pocket and hence the need for this policy cover.
It is payable from a minimum of $40 per month and has a claimable limit of $500,000 to $1 million per occurrence depending on the business size.
Thus, if your business has a case that public liability insurance gardening can cover, taking this policy can mean the saving of vital cash for your company or even turn out to be a saving grace from bankruptcy!
2. Employers’ liability insurance
Employers’ liability insurance covers employees who may have an accident at work due to negligence or other causes. Every state in the United States has the requirement in place for employers to hand out $100,000 per occurrence. Businesses like gardening pay this least amount.
So when you take up this policy, it’ll save you the headache of paying this money in cash when an employee encounters an incident.
Employers’ liability cases in other areas such as air transport have to hand over in excess of $200,000 for each incident, per person involved.
3. Insurance for gardening tools and equipment
Gardening insurance for gardeners also comes with an exclusive policy for covering costs of lost, stolen or damaged tools of trade. This is known as insurance for gardening tools and equipment: it has the following key features:
- The funding agency covers the costs of tools, equipment and other general supplies that the gardener has lost or damaged.
- A landscaping and gardening business pays just $15 monthly to meet the premium costs and can claim up to $10,000 per incident.
4. Insurance for your commercial gardening van
Also referred to as auto commercial insurance, this is a very important package for landscaping businesses because it not only covers your cars and trucks in case of damage or theft, but also provides a ready sum in case of third-party injury during an accident. Though, the costs per month go with the particular type of business: gardening design businesses may pay higher than irrigation businesses. The lowest premiums are pretty high at $150 monthly.
5. Personal accident insurance
Personal accident insurance is a type of cover that applies in a landscape gardening insurance context where you, the business operator, your worker or client gets bodily bruises in the line of duty.
The US Federal Government provides that such cover ought to meet an upper peak of $10,000 to settle medical bills. In addition:
- A 200-dollar weekly sum is made available to the injured to meet income loss for the period. An equal weekly amount is also payable to the family of the injured party to meet home duties that they cannot meet in your absence.
6. Materials and stock
Materials and stock insurance is another essential policy under the docket of gardening insurance for gardeners as it protects costs deriving from loss, theft or damage of assets.
These assets range from office stock, unfinished work that has stopped midway and loss of raw materials that you use in your landscaping business. It may cover stock or raw material losses caused by burglary, vandalism, fire and catastrophic damage.
The monthly premiums are the same as for the tools & equipment policy, starting at $15 per month with most insurers.
7. Hired in plant
This caters to the risks that occur if your hired plant such as a scaffold, forklift and other heavy equipment fail during operation. The most common occurrence is accidental lack of mobility.
To get full compensation, you should report immediately to the insurer or do this before 90 days are over after the incident.
How much does gardening insurance cost?
The cost of gardening insurance depends on the size of your business, the place (rates vary from area to area) and the number of vehicles or properties for commercial and auto policy covers.
Here is a breakdown of the costs:
- On average, for general liability cover, you can expect to pay between $40 and $49 monthly.
- For tools and equipment cover, $15 is the lowest amount available with most insurers.
- Some gardening insurance costs generate high compensation perks should the risk occur. The compensation limit for special cases such as disaster management can bring up to $20 million, especially if you are in a hurricane-prone region.
Landscaping vs gardening: what’s the difference?
Landscaping and gardening refer to the same thing only that landscaping is more about aesthetic beauty while gardening is about ecological benefits. A gardening business primarily focuses on the design, installation, and maintenance of gardens and plants. In other words, gardening businesses cater to the needs of clients who require assistance with maintaining the health and beauty of their plants, flowers, trees, and other greenery.
On the other hand, a landscaping business encompasses a broader range of services that involve the planning, design, and construction of outdoor spaces. Landscaping services extend beyond plant care to include hardscaping (e.g., patios, walkways, and retaining walls), lighting, irrigation systems, water features, and other elements that contribute to the overall aesthetic and functionality of an outdoor area.
Here is a breakdown of the main differences:
- Focus: Gardening businesses primarily deal with plants and gardens, while landscaping businesses handle a wider range of outdoor design and construction tasks.
- Services: Gardening businesses specialize in plant care and maintenance, while landscaping businesses offer additional services such as hardscaping, lighting, and outdoor space design.
- Scope: Landscaping projects tend to be larger in scale and complexity compared to gardening projects, often involving the transformation of an entire outdoor space rather than just plant care.
It’s important to note that some businesses may offer both gardening and landscaping services, blurring the lines between the two. However, understanding the primary differences can help you choose the right type of service that you want to offer.
Despite these differences, in the UK, most companies use the term ‘gardening’ while in the US, ‘landscaping’ is more in use.
No matter the slight difference, both terms are used as one when starting on an insurance journey. For landscaping insurance, please check this dedicated guide.
How to get insurance for your gardening business
- Decide and assess the risks that your gardening business faces. For lawn mowers, risks range from theft of mowing tools to personal injury and accidental property damage.
- Decide on the policy that best covers your landscape gardening insurance needs. For instance, if you are into many commercial vehicles, then an auto cover is ideal. If you hire heavy equipment a lot, then a hired-in-plant package may be your perfect choice.
- Shortlist the best companies offering gardening insurance and present your application for a quote. You also need to present your federal ID if you are representing your business in person. Upon agreeing on the monthly costs, you can start your insurance journey with your insurer. You will soon receive your business’ certificate of insurance.
Top companies that provide gardening insurance in the US
1. CoverWallet
The New York-based insurance agency offers gardening insurance experience of exceptional standards.
Pros
- A centralized web-based business model for all types of landscape insurance covers.
- Instant quotes.
- Popular for its very affordable rates among all other insurers.
Cons
- No 24/7 support availability but the company compensates with extra hours, daily, and on weekends.
2. Thimble
The major difference between Thimble and other insurers in the landscaping business is its ability to review occurrences several years after the incident.
Pros
- Offers ‘per occurrence’ packages that work even several years after an incident happens.
- Online quotes are available.
- Affordable rates in different types of policies.
Cons
- Some of its novel insurance policies, such as BOP, are absent in New York.
3. Progressive
This is one of the leading insurers in the United States, with a focus on home insurance and landscaping, among others.
Pros
- Offers instant quotes online.
- Best for commercial and auto insurance types of landscape gardening insurance.
Cons
- The company does not have a clearly-defined certificate of insurance (COI) issuance process.
4. Hiscox
This is another of the best insurers for new-comers in the gardening business scene.
Pros
- The company offers the lowest quotes for new businesses, making it a good start.
- It issues a certificate of insurance as proof of active policy.
Cons:
- The company does not have a 24/7 hotline but operates 8-to-5 during workdays.
5. Next
This company offers same day quotes on the web and covers all kinds of insurance for landscapers and gardeners alike.
Pros:
- Offers same day service.
- Issues COI in a clear timeline.
- Available to new and established businesses.
Cons:
- Operates only in typical office hours between 8 and 5, daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are more details for the most frequently asked questions relating to gardening insurance:
What do I need to get a quote for gardening insurance for my gardening business?
You need only your federal ID, the name of your business and your form of business, i.e. single, partnership or liability company. After this you will get a quote with details of the policy’s starting and completion dates.
Can I get temporary gardners insurance?
Yes, it is possible to get temporary gardeners insurance especially where your business involves seasonal projects. The USDA labels projects such as urban farming as falling under its help program because of the temporary nature. The same case applies to commercial insurance which helps you get quotes from as low as $5 to $15 per month to meet the risks of temporary gardening projects.
What insurance do I need for my gardening business
The most relevant insurance for gardeners running a gardening business is general liability policy, because it covers costs of third-party property damage claims and personal injuries caused by gardening equipment. You may also opt for personal injury cover, material and stock policy, as well as tools & equipment policy cover.
How much is liability insurance for a small gardening business
General liability insurance for a small gardening business starts at $40 per month and does not go above $45 for startup landscapers and gardeners.
What is covered under gardening insurance?
Gardening insurance covers property damage, liability costs, personal/third-party injury, libel lawsuits by clients, workers compensation and tools/equipment loss.
What is public liability insurance for gardeners?
This is a policy that covers legal damages occasioned by injury on a client or an outsider when working on a garden or from claims for damaged property under your gardening contract.