No lawn care project is too short for insurance; even a simple two-hour job can quickly go south. But if you’re a small lawn care business owner planning to take on seasonal services to make extra money, you might find standard insurance coverage superfluous and costly.
Many lawn care business owners prefer paying short-term liability coverage for seasonal or two-week projects instead of annual premiums. Similar to general liability insurance, short-term lawn care liability insurance covers the costs of client property damage or third-party injuries and legal expenses to defend your business in case of a lawsuit. But you need to consider the limitations of short-term liability coverage, especially given how unpredictable your projects can be.
Let’s dig into the pros and cons of short-term liability insurance and how to find the most suitable coverage, no matter the season.
Your business might benefit from short-term liability insurance if you offer lime application during wet seasons or leaf removal during fall. Short-term lawn care liability insurance will cover a few areas of your operation and equipment for short projects that may not require a year’s worth of coverage. You might’ve heard this type of coverage called a few different names:
Short-term liability insurance is initially affordable but is often hard to find. Paying for short-term liability insurance may cost nearly as much as a full-term policy because of minimum premiums and policy fees. Your lawn care business will also likely not have the financial protection to cover the costs if a claim or lawsuit is filed after your coverage expires.
Given this situation, we recommend getting annual lawn care liability insurance for more comprehensive, year-round protection.
Short-term liability insurance is helpful if you offer seasonal services like snow removal, gutter cleaning during fall, or end-of-season lawn mowing. But just as plants don’t grow overnight, some claims won’t always happen during your project or policy period.
In this case, a standard annual liability coverage will adequately protect your lawn care business all year round.
Annual insurance is also a better option if you plan to expand your lawn care business. This way, you can make sure that there aren’t any gaps in your coverage and prevent suspending your business license.
Before you shop for insurance, you may want to determine and understand your risks and how much coverage is needed to cover your business from those liabilities. You’ll also need to decide what coverage types your clients will most benefit from. Here are some steps that you could follow to determine the best insurance coverage for your lawn care business:
Consider the size and scope of the lawn care projects you take on. Larger jobs, like extensive weed control or tree removal, require more coverage. If you're working on an estate or a commercial property, make sure you have enough protection in case of property damage.
It's a good idea to bump up your coverage if you use heavy equipment, work around fragile plants, or in places where many people are walking by. There's always more room for something to go wrong if you’re mowing a lawn near a busy sidewalk or trimming trees close to power lines, even if you’re an experienced landscaper.
Some clients want to see a certificate of insurance or ask you to have specific coverage before you start a job. Shop for coverage that meets or exceeds what they ask for so you don’t run into any problems.
An insurance advisor can help you determine the type of coverage your business will need based on your work. They can offer advice on standards and help you customize a policy that fits your assets and services.
Risks will be risks, no matter the season. That’s why you need to adequately protect your business throughout the year.
Don’t hesitate to partner with a licensed insurance advisor like CoverHound to determine the best coverage options for your business. Partner with CoverHound or take this quick insurance checkup to receive personalized insurance solutions.
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