Horticulture plays a key role in shaping the future of the world. From greenhouses to home growers, from plants to flowers and everything in between, the industry is not only at the forefront of sustainability but also represents potential.
Technology is changing the way horticulture businesses operate and is also changing the way they plan for the future. Changing climates are impacting the way certain crops are grown and as a result, growing seasons are changing too.
How do horticulture businesses plan to move forward? While it’s somewhat of a complex question, the linear answer is that embracing new technologies and adapting to a changing environment is what lies ahead.
There’s an interesting dichotomy taking place, as well; the horticulture industry is projected to grow at a “considerable” rate through 2032 while the job market is getting tighter. Greenhouse workers are a critical resource in the industry, and keeping them protected while on the job is of utmost importance.
We’re going to take a closer look at workers’ compensation coverage and how that affects businesses (and employees) in an evolving-but-promising industry.
Analyzing the current state of horticulture
In conversation with people throughout the industry, the word “technology” comes up often. Technology and evolution seemingly go hand-in-hand, with things like sensory tech and automation helping to improve growing processes. We’re even seeing a wider adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to gather data that helps with crop management and identifying optimal growing conditions for specific crops.
Robotics have come into the picture, too. Some greenhouse businesses are using robotics to handle daily tasks like plant handling and conveyor belts to keep the growing process moving along smoothly and efficiently.
All that is to say horticulture is moving forward – and despite technological advances, employees remain the most critical asset to the industry. People who live and breathe horticulture, who put in long hours to make sure growing seasons can produce yields that meet demand, and who have devoted their lives to an important science…they are the ones who businesses must be looking out for.
Workers’ compensation coverage, a must-have for companies in most U.S. states, is often overlooked. We’ll talk about why that is, and why brokers need to be well-versed in the benefits and components of workers’ compensation – because nothing comes before safety in the workplace.
What is workers’ compensation coverage?
If a business has employees, most states require the business to have workers’ compensation coverage. At its core, workers’ compensation is about the safety of employees on the job and providing coverage they need in the event of an accident, illness or unforeseen circumstance.
This policy covers wages lost, medical and health benefits and disability (short and long-term) if an employee is injured or becomes sick while on the job. This coverage is also required even if the company has one employee.
The main components of workers’ compensation that brokers (and insureds) need to know
There are a few elements that you and clients should know about, either to discuss potential coverages or when it’s time to file a claim. Brokers also need to be aware that, despite several components to workers’ compensation, insurance providers generally don’t offer different types of workers’ compensation policies.
The base coverages are standard throughout the industry though some coverage requirements may vary by state.
Medical care
Employees may file a workers’ compensation claim if they’ve been injured or become ill at work and medical treatment is required. Coverage can help pay for doctor’s visits, hospital/ER visits, medication, therapy and rehabilitation.
Additionally, if employees need ongoing care for their medical condition, workers’ compensation will cover those costs.
Disability benefits
This part of coverage helps an employee recover lost wages if an injury or illness causes them to miss an extended period of time. Temporary disability can be classified as either “partial,” meaning the employee can continue working at a reduced capacity without missing time, or “total” in which they’ll miss a period of time but return at their full capacity.
If an employee requires permanent total disability, their injury or condition means they cannot and will not return to work at any point. Permanent partial disability covers an employee who will return to work once medically cleared, but their work capacity won’t be the same as it was before the incident.
Vocational rehabilitation
When a workplace injury or illness occurs and the employee’s original role must be reduced or altered as a result, workers’ compensation helps cover the cost of training and rehabilitation required. Employees may receive financial benefits for wages lost for up to two (2) years in most states.
Death and funeral services
If an accident or injury results in the unfortunate loss of life, workers’ compensation coverage provides benefits to the employee’s beneficiaries and also helps with the cost of funeral services.
Why is workers’ compensation coverage critical for greenhouse businesses?
Whether it’s working in a greenhouse, operating heavy equipment or machinery, or simply driving to and from a job site, horticulture workers face hazards on a daily basis. Workers’ compensation helps ease the burden caused by lost wages until an employee can return to work, and also provides a benefit to the business to fill a role if it will be vacated for a period of time.
Process efficiency and operational output (i.e. crop yield) are vital to the long-term health of any horticultural business; when incidents occur that cause employees to miss time, workers’ compensation – purchased by the employer and administered by the insurance carrier – provides assistance to all parties.
WorkCompEdge is a competitive advantage for brokers
NIP Group, a leading insurance program for a variety of utility trades, has partnered with one of the nation’s largest workers’ compensation insurers to provide specialized safety training and tailored claims management to address the complex challenges faced by higher-risk workplaces.
What can brokers and their insureds expect from WorkCompEdge?
It starts cutting-edge safety services that focus on the safety and efficiency of workers and improving companies’ track record while lowering their experience modification. WorkCompEdge employs a seasoned claims team, accompanied by skilled nurses and an extensive medical provider network to tackle the types of injuries that can occur in high-risk environments like greenhouses and horticulture.
GrowPro is the most trusted insurance program for the horticulture and greenhouse industry
The best way to grow your book of horticultural clients is by offering GrowPro’s best-in-class insurance program for horticulture businesses.
With more than 35 years of industry experience and an A+ rating from A.M. Best, GrowPro offers expertise that major carriers simply don’t provide – simply put, GrowPro understands greenhouse clients like no other provider.
Whether it’s a hydroponic farm, greenhouse business or vertical farm operation, GrowPro provides guidance on specialized insurance coverages and risk control along with proper valuation of your client’s operations, property and equipment.
GrowPro is a proud member of AmericanHort and the National Hemp Association. To discuss coverage options and how GrowPro can help your clients, contact a member of our team by submitting a request for information to submissions@nipgroup.com, or make a phone call to 866-780-8076.
