Seasonality in the landscaping business isn’t a new concept, but it’s beginning to evolve.
Traditionally, landscaping companies have endured the “busy seasons” of spring and summer, shouldering hefty workloads to earn the bulk of their annual revenue while preparing for the slower winter months.
While many businesses remain focused on the spring and summer, there’s been a shift (or perhaps more openness) toward an all-seasons operation. Particularly in areas of the country where seasonality is prevalent, we’re seeing landscaping business owners offer a range of services and become more dynamic throughout the year.
If you have clients who are interested in scaling their business and becoming more year-round, this blog is for you. As the broker, it’s crucial to understand how seasonal services affect landscaping liability and how this can impact the insurance coverages your clients require.
In this blog, we’ll look at some insurance tips for fall landscape transitions. As we begin the seasonal shift in many parts of the U.S., it’s a great time to reexamine your clients’ insurance policies and identify areas of need.
September is when the landscaping business evolves
Autumn landscaping operations tend to become a focal point after Labor Day.
Suppose your clients are expanding or continuing service into the fall. In that case, it’s prudent to know if they will need seasonal landscaping insurance, as it’s key to protecting crews during seasonal transitions.
Most insurance policies (i.e., those that clients may find on their own without consulting a broker) typically provide coverage during peak months, meaning clients may not know if they’re fully covered in the fall.
Fall coverage for landscape contractors shouldn’t be treated as an assumption or a foregone conclusion; in fact, it’s something brokers should discuss with clients if they plan to add services and/or diversify their work.
The main seasonal transitions that clients need coverage for
Some businesses start small, focusing on leaf cleanup and other seasonal services before expanding further.
As we inch closer to autumn, brokers should be aware of the changes clients may face, which may require adjustments to their insurance coverage.
Landscaping risk management takes on a different approach as your clients transition into fall work. Let’s break it down.
Service diversification
Fall and winter service options may include snow removal (which is excellent for consistent income in the winter), winterization services to help prepare with gardens, lawns, and irrigation for cold weather, and tree pruning and branch removal. Each can be a reliable off-season service, as fall and winter tree care will help trees remain healthy during dormancy.
Having coverage for landscape service diversification will help your clients embark on new projects and new work with confidence.
Staffing changes
Landscaping projects can sometimes require specialized workers, particularly for fall work that includes highway median maintenance, urban landscaping, and other related tasks.
Staffing is typically one of the biggest challenges for business owners, especially in landscaping, where business needs fluctuate with the seasons and different projects.
Many businesses opt to hire seasonal help, who will need proper coverage. Additionally, if your clients are hiring specialized workers for some of these jobs, they will likely require tailored insurance coverage, which is available with LandPro by NIP Group.
Equipment investment and deployment
Knowing your client’s equipment is another key piece to the puzzle.
The last thing anyone wants, especially when businesses move into off-season services, is to have equipment coverage that’s not up to par. Investing in the right equipment — and ensuring it is adequately covered— is essential to both supporting the business and keeping it safe and efficient.
As the broker, you can help clients with specialized insurance that covers landscaping equipment liability, a significant benefit for seasonal equipment. Most insurance policies exclude this coverage, but LandPro offers plan options to keep clients and their equipment protected.
LandPro is a trusted insurance partner for landscaping clients in all seasons
Venturing into new work, new markets, and new services can be exciting for clients — but it can also be daunting and risky if they don’t have customized coverage.
While clients focus on growing their businesses and preparing for upcoming seasonal changes, you can give them confidence with an all-in-one package. We like to call LandPro “better landscaping insurance coverage by design.”
LandPro insurance products ensure that your landscaping clients are fully protected as they transition into fall and winter service seasons. Our comprehensive solution is backed by over 35 years of expertise in the lawn care and landscaping industry, world-class risk control services, and superior customer service.
To learn more about LandPro, please reach out to our team to get started.
