Professional landscaping has a long list of benefits – and “curb appeal” is only scratching the surface. People are starting to gravitate back toward urban centers and urban neighborhoods, and with that comes an increased demand for construction or redevelopment. These projects are a major lift and if not done properly, can place unneeded stress on resources, surrounding infrastructure, and the environment.
Additionally, landscaping and lawn care have become key as the world emphasizes sustainability; no longer are new buildings simply “going up” or is work being performed in certain areas without intent. From green-friendly buildings to waste reduction and water conservation, everyone is looking to do their part – and landscaping has its own unique and significant role.
Of course, like many demanding jobs, there’s liability and risk in landscaping. Workers are often on the job in hazardous or high-risk environments and performing duties that are critical to the area’s integrity and viability.
Why is demand for landscaping services on the rise?
Population centers are growing, and also, homeowners and property owners are becoming more aware of the benefits of landscaping. Landscaping can also occur at all stages of a property’s lifecycle: pre-build, during construction and also as an ongoing practice.
Because landscaping and lawn care workers are operating in a variety of different environments, there comes a variety of risks as a result. As a broker, it’s important to know the landscaping risks for insurance policies that can be tailored for any client – and to help them get the coverage they need to safely and effectively keep doing their jobs. Think of this piece as a broker guide to landscaping insurance, a competitive advantage that other brokers don’t have when trying to win new business.
The risks faced by landscapers and specialized coverages to protect them
When you consider what a landscaping professional’s “day on the job” could entail, it’s not uncommon for most days to be busy days. They’re driving to job sites. They’re using machinery like trimmers, mowers, and even heavier equipment. And they can be exposed to different chemicals, pesticides or solutions used to treat weeds or overgrowth.
Here are some of the common risks your landscaping clients may face:
- Injuries to workers on the job site: The working environment changes day by day and sometimes, hour by hour – which means there are potential hazards whenever they’re in the field. These risks can include (but are not limited to) slips, falls, trips, and cuts. Whether due to bad weather or other dangerous conditions, these are among the most prevalent injuries to landscaping workers. Lawn care equipment can also be loud, and without proper protection, some workers may be at risk of hearing loss.
- Exposure to chemicals and pesticides: These materials are used to treat all sorts of weeds, insects and invasive species that can affect landscaping. It also means that while working, employees will be exposed to them and proper precautions should be taken whenever working with potentially harmful substances.
- Extreme or hazardous weather conditions: Weather can have wide-ranging impacts on landscaping workers and it’s probably the most unpredictable lawn care services risk. Clients should always have a plan for severe weather and emergency protocols should the need arise.
- Accidents involving vehicles or machinery: From riding mowers to saws, to leaf blowers and shears, the equipment used in commercial landscaping should be handled with care and caution.
- Debris and other dangerous on-site situations: Particularly on commercial job sites, professional landscapers will encounter hazards related to debris that hasn’t been cleared or other objects that can cause harm during the landscaping process. Clearing a lawn or site of debris before work begins will greatly reduce risks for landscaping contractors.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the specialized coverages, available through LandPro’s industry-leading insurance offering, that can protect landscaping contractors in the event of an accident.
General liability and auto liability coverage
There are no two ways about it: your clients need specialized landscaping insurance coverage. General liability insurance protects against losses caused by bodily injury, property damage and other claims. It’s essentially the baseline of coverage your landscaping clients need and in many cases, it’s the first line of coverage you should write for them.
Commercial auto insurance
If your clients’ landscaping businesses own their own vehicles used to travel to and from job sites, and/or transporting equipment, they should be protected by commercial auto coverage. Accidents that happen while employees are driving company-owned vehicles are covered under commercial auto.
Inland marine insurance
Transportation of any work-related materials should be covered by inland marine insurance. Equipment and tools owned or leased by your clients’ landscaping business – especially those that are expensive and considered a major investment – should be protected by inland marine.
Property coverage
Landscaping businesses need property coverage if any work-related property is damaged while on the job. This can be caused by weather, debris, or other accidents.
Workers’ compensation coverage
Because of the aforementioned risks that landscaping professionals face while on the job, the business should be protected with workers’ compensation. This coverage is required in most U.S. states and helps with medical bills or wages lost when an employee is injured at work.
LandPro provides best-in-class coverage for landscaping contractors
When a client works with a big-name insurance provider, chances are they aren’t getting the focused and tailored expertise they need. Many major carriers provide “out of the box” insurance solutions that cover businesses in general, but aren’t written specifically for the risks faced by the business and its employees – in this case, landscaping contractors.
LandPro is a best-in-class insurance option that knows exactly what landscaping businesses face, and which insurance coverages are best fit for those risks and challenges. LandPro has 35-plus years of experience writing tailored insurance policies for lawn care and landscaping clients, and the program’s extensive industry expertise includes risk control and proper valuation of a client’s operations, property, and equipment.
LandPro is rated A+ by A.M. Best and is the largest insurance program for commercial landscapers and lawn care professionals. Brokers and clients trust LandPro to provide stability and security, so they can continue to do important work and also grow their business.
Interested in learning more about LandPro? Contact a member of our team today to get started.
