Regardless of if you are just starting a landscaping business or you have been a professional landscaper for many years, if you provide landscaping services to commercial or residential clients, it’s important that you choose to obtain a small business insurance policy tailored to your profession. Not only will landscaping insurance protect you against the possibly devastating effects of an accident, but it will also help protect you financially should you be found liable in a lawsuit brought against you, or responsible for paying medical fees. If you work in the following disciplines, you should have landscaping insurance: 

• Landscapers 
• Groundskeepers 
• Gardeners 
• Arborists 
• Irrigation technicians 
• Field technicians 
• Well drilling contractors 
• Tree removal professionals 

In a nutshell, insurance protects you, your lawn care business, your employees and your clients in the event of an emergency. Without adequate protection, you would have to recoup any losses, settle financial disputes, pay for legal fees and cover medical bills out-of-pocket. This can put serious financial strain on even the most savvy landscaping business owner. 

Landscapers insurance is not legally required in Ontario, however, it is a crucial coverage to have and most businesses cannot afford to go without it. If a loss occurs and you don’t have a lawn care business insurance policy, you will be forced to pay for those losses out of pocket. Depending on the loss, you could be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is important to note that while landscapers insurance is not legally required, most clients will require a certificate of insurance.  

General liability insurance protects you against two important perils: third-party bodily injury and property damage. Either could result in devastating financial losses for your business, so it’s integral that you have general liability coverage. For example, say one of your new employees is operating an excavator and backs it up into your client’s home. This could cause serious damage, and you’re liable for the repairs. Not to mention, you could wind up with a lawsuit on your hands. Protect yourself with the right insurance. 

You will most likely need a commercial auto insurance policy. Even if you have auto insurance for personal use, while using your vehicle in a professional capacity, there is a chance you may not be covered if something happens. For instance, if you keep equipment in your vehicle that gets stolen, and you only use that equipment for work, it may not be covered under your personal auto insurance. Speak to a Morison Insurance broker who will help you get insurance for your landscaping company vehicle. 

Depending on your landscaping insurance policy, your tools can be protected from loss, theft and damage. Since different policies protect your tools differently, it’s important to talk to an insurance agent and ensure your equipment is adequately covered regardless of where or when it is damaged. 

Landscapers insurance does provide comprehensive coverage, however, there are some exclusions. Some common exclusions are: 

• Intentional damage 
• Poor workmanship 
• Wear and tear of tools or equipment 
• Uninsured vehicles 

For more details about what is not covered by a lawn care business insurance policy, contact the brokers at Morison Insurance. We would be happy to walk you through the policy details. 

In addition to the right paperwork, you should be prepared to answer a series of questions posed by your dedicated insurance broker. These questions will help us understand what coverage is best for you, based on your landscaping business’ unique needs. A few questions you can expect your Morison Insurance broker to ask include: 

• Do you do any work in industrial, manufacturing or airport sites? 
• When did you obtain your trade license, certification and accreditation? 
• Is this your full-time or part-time job? 
• Do you subcontract work? If so, what percent of your overall operations are subcontracted out? 
• Do you have contracts in place with your sub-contractors? 
• Do you request proof of insurance from your sub-contractors? 
• Do you have insurance now? 
• Have you been cancelled/declined/non-renewed in the past five years? 
• Have you had any claims in the past five years? 
• What are your gross annual revenues? 
• Do you perform any fertilizer or pesticide spraying? 
• Do you perform any other operations? If yes, what percent of your overall operations? 
• Do you perform any tree removal operations? 
• Do you own any greenhouses? 

Ready to get a lawn care business insurance quote? Contact Morison Insurance today! 

Your client’s homeowners insurance will not protect you in the event of an emergency so you still require a lawn care business insurance policy. Even if you damage your client’s property accidentally, they may wish to sue you rather than go through their own insurance—which will only serve to increase their premiums. It’s also best to protect yourself as much as possible, and that is where landscapers insurance comes in.