The smell of fresh-cut grass is something most people would associate with summer, but for landscaping professionals, their work has already started. Oftentimes, that work commences months before the mowers have even turned on.
Landscaping has become a true year-round business that demands a lot of its contractors, business owners, and insurance brokers. In addition to the weather changes brought by each new season, other factors impact the business, including (but not limited to) staffing changes, equipment needs and usage, and specific insurance requirements.
While it may seem that fall and winter are “slower” months for landscaping professionals, that’s not the case. There are seasonal landscaping risks that contractors face all year long, which means all-season landscaping coverage isn’t a want—it’s a necessity.
Landscaping is an all-seasons business
Transitioning from season to season helps landscaping professionals and business owners ensure a seamless (and hopefully uneventful) change to new projects and objectives.
The unfortunate reality facing many landscaping companies is that either a) they haven’t taken the time to find proper coverage that supports them through the various season transitions, or b) their existing coverage is insufficient and doesn’t take into account seasonal liability risks in landscaping.
Risk management for landscaping businesses can, in many cases, be a surface-level offering from larger insurance carriers, and clients are left thinking they have what they need. But there are several coverage gaps and seasonal risks that fall through the cracks; knowing what those risks and needs are will help clients get the right coverage (no matter the season).
Seasonal transitions require tailored coverage
Tailored insurance for landscapers achieves multiple objectives for both you (the broker) and the client. First and foremost, it ensures the client is protected whether it’s a February snow removal project or a tree trimming assignment in the hot August sun.
Here are the key seasonal changes in landscaping, and how brokers can help clients with specialized coverage that protects them throughout the year.
Snow removal before spring work
Winter operations insurance is key for clients who perform landscaping work throughout the year.
Depending on the region and climate, your clients may be removing snow in January, and it may still be necessary in April or May. Snowstorms and extreme winter weather can leave behind major cleanup projects, and this work helps set the table for healthy spring growth. Clients should be supported with snow removal insurance coverage for debris removal, aeration, fertilization, and also irrigation work.
Green roof maintenance and inspection
Your clients may not be aware of this, but most large-carrier insurance policies do not provide coverage for green roof work. Green roofs are environmentally friendly and can help reduce stormwater runoff, heat flux, and energy consumption, but green roof coverage is often omitted from landscaping contractor insurance.
Fine-tuning and preparing before summer
Once the removal and pre-growth work is complete, it’s time to get ready for summer.
For many landscaping businesses, this is the most lucrative time of year and, without a doubt, their busiest period. The last thing a client needs is a delay or interruption to work because they weren’t properly covered in the first place. They should be covered for maintenance work, water and moisture monitoring, trimming, mowing, and edge work, which is a critical part of preparing for the long, hot days of summer.
Summer lawn care
The peak of the calendar is summer, and landscaping clients require tailored coverage to help them navigate this busy and hectic time. During the summer, landscaping professionals will manage water usage, prune and maintain trees and lawns, and work on pest and disease control.
Another key aspect of summer landscaping work is preparing sites for the dormant periods, which begin in fall and carry through the winter. You can help ensure a smooth seasonal transition by verifying that there are no coverage gaps in their policy for summer work, which is why many brokers turn to LandPro to assist their landscaping clients.
LandPro protects landscaping clients through all seasonal changes
A trusted, experienced landscaping insurance partner is precisely what clients need for proper coverage throughout every season.
LandPro by NIP Group provides an all-in-one solution that fully protects landscaping clients throughout the year, including coverage for snow removal, green roofs, and hardscaping. LandPro is backed by 35 years of expertise and provides superior customer service and support, along with tailored risk management for landscaping clients.
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