If you run a lawn care business, you know that every day comes with its own set of challenges. Maybe a subcontractor didn’t show up, or a piece of equipment suddenly gave out. But when it’s a demanding client who’s less than understanding, the stakes can quickly escalate.
Many small business owners know they need insurance but might feel overwhelmed or assume it’s an unnecessary expense. Here’s the reality: it only takes one dissatisfied customer or costly mishap for the right insurance to become the backbone of your business’s survival.
Mistakes happen—it’s part of running a business. That’s why insurance isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a critical investment in the future and financial stability of your lawn care company.
In this guide, we’ll break down the types of insurance that protect your business, what coverage costs, and how to get started—so you can grow your operations with confidence and peace of mind.
Protecting your business starts with understanding your insurance options. A reliable set of lawn care business insurance policies should protect you from unexpected expenses, like lawsuits, medical bills,s, or replacing damaged equipment.
Here are the most common policies for lawn care businesses to hold.
Most lawn care businesses we work with choose a business owner’s policy (BOP), which is a common choice for business owners who have property to protect. A BOP bundles these coverage types.
General liability insurance is an option for business owners who don’t have a physical space or equipment to protect. to begin if you don’t have a physical office or warehouse. Since you’re working on other people’s property, this coverage helps protect your business from risk exposure such as accidental damage to third-party property or people that aren’t you or your employees. For example, imagine an employee of yours accidentally damages part of a fence while mowing a lawn. Even though it was an accident, your client decided to press charges. You settle with the client, and your general liablity insurance covers the payment.
Short-term general liability insurance is another option for protecting your lawn care business on projects that last from a few hours to a few weeks.
Accidents can happen at any job, but they occur more frequently in labor-based jobs, like those inthe lawn care industry. Since you’re performing physical labor and operating heavy equipment, it isn’t unfathomable that you or your employee couldeasily sprain an ankle while mowing or sustain an injury while operating a piece of machinery. Make sure to secure workers’ compensation insurance to cover medical bills and lost wages that result from these unexpected incidents. Most states also require this coverage for businesses with employees. Check your state’s labor laws – some states require workers’ compensation if you have any number of employees, some states require it with five employees or more, and only a handful of states do not require it by law.
There’s always a risk of damage, theft, or loss when transporting lawn care tools and machinery in trucks or trailers. While a business owner's policy (BOP) usually covers your equipment when stored in your warehouse, it doesn't protect against loss or damage during transportation.
Inland marine insurance covers your tools and equipment while you’re moving them between job sites. It also covers high-value equipment that is not insured under your business owner’s policy or commercial property insurance.
Keep in mind that inland marine insurance might not cover certain types of damage, like normal wear and tear and intentional damage. We recommend reviewing the specifics of your coverage, including any exclusions, with a trusted provider.
If your lawn care business processes online payments or manages customer information digitally, it needs cyber insurance. This policy can help your business cover the costs of customer information exposure, hacking, and other online threats.
Pro Tip: If you're unsure about the types of coverage your business needs, take a five-minute online insurance checkup to assess your risks.
Once you determine which policies you need, the next question is: How much should you allocate to your insurance budget? Lawn care insurance can cost around $1,000 for just general liability, but it can go up depending on the amount of equipment. Remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all policy and cost when securing your insurance. Several factors go into how much your insurance premiums will cost. For general liability specifically, risk exposure, number of employees and subcontractors, and gross revenue will be weighed, with risk exposure being the most heavily weighted factor and gross revenue being the least heavily weighted factor.
However, with a policy like cyber insurance, factors like your current cybersecurity measures, if you store client payment information, and how many payments you process a month may be taken into consideration instead.
Other factors that affect insurance cost can include geographical location and claims history.
Review, compare, and update your insurance coverage regularly! As your business grows, so do your risks and insurance needs. Keeping your coverage up to date helps protect your business as it expands. CoverHound makes it easy to determine your insurance needs and compare quotes online.
As you create outdoor spaces that people in your community love, it’s essential to focus on growing your business without worries. That’s where a comprehensive bundle of policies can support your lawn care business, acting like a safety net in the case of a claim and giving you peace of mind.
CoverHound’s all-in-one insurance platform makes it easy to compare quotes from over a dozen A-rated carriers. Get fast, accurate, no-hassle quotes to find the perfect coverage for your business. Protect your business with CoverHound today.
Insurance shopping simplified
Insurance shopping simplified
