Get the greenhouse growing insurance you need so you can focus on successfully growing and running your business!
Why GrowPro?
- Specialized greenhouse insurance coverage options specifically for growing industry
- Risk control, claims management, and compliance & safety resources
- We offer competitive rates coupled with superior customer service
The growing industry is rapidly changing and your operations need a greenhouse growing insurance company that can keep up with new environment. When claims are incurred, you want an insurer you can count on to support your business. Don’t risk the business you’ve spent years building on coverage you can’t depend on. Whether you’re a hydroponic grower, garden center, hemp grower, or any combination – GrowPro can develop a comprehensive solution for you.
Types of Greenhouse & Nursery Work We Cover
- Greenhouse Growing
- Nurseries/Nursery Growing
- Garden Centers
- Hydroponic & Aquaponic Growing
- Hemp (Property & Auto coverage)
Greenhouse Insurance Coverages
General Liability
A basic insurance policy issued to businesses to provide coverage against liability claims. General liability protects against claims ranging from bodily injury and property damage from out of premises, operations, products, and completed operations.
Example: One of your garden center employees is helping to load gardening equipment, as well as bags of dirt and mulch into a customer’s vehicle. While loading, the employee drops a heavy piece of equipment that strikes the customer and causes injury. A general liability policy will most likely cover the injuries to the customer due it being related to the work being performed.
Automobile Liability
Insurance that protects the insured against financial loss because of legal liability for automobile-related injuries to others or damage to their property by an automobile.
Example: One of your employees is using one of your work trucks to transport an order of flowers to a client. While in transit, the employee rear ends another vehicle. Your commercial auto policy would cover the damages, claims, and equipment costs incurred.
Property
An insurance policy for businesses that insures against damage to their buildings and contents due to a covered cause of loss, such as a fire. The policy may also cover loss of income or increase in expenses that result from property damage.
Example: Due to a severe hail storm, your primary greenhouse location is damaged. In addition, the growing equipment and crops inside the greenhouse are also damaged as well. In this scenario, your property insurance would cover the damages to the location and equipment, as well as the cost of the crop loss.
Inland Marine
Insurance policy that covers the loss or damage to any transport by which the property is transferred, acquired, or held between the point of origin and the final destination.
Example: You hire a flatbed to haul a tractor to another one of your greenhouses several miles away from your main locations. While in transit, the flatbed tips over while making a turn causing damage to the tractor being towed. An inland marine policy will cover the damages to the tractor and any additional equipment being transported.
Umbrella/Excess Liability
Umbrella or excess liability insurance covers claims in excess of regular homeowners and auto policy coverage with the main purpose of protecting assets from an unforeseen event, such as a tragic accident in which the business is liable. Both offer similar coverage but differ on how they provide that coverage.
Example: While shopping at your garden center, several customers are severely injured when an industrial shelving units collapses on top of them. The resulting cost of the claims exceed the policy limits of your general liability policy. In this scenario, your umbrella policy would cover the excess costs of the incurred claims.
Crime
A commercial crime insurance policy typically provides several different types of crime coverage including employee dishonesty coverage, forgery or alteration coverage, computer fraud coverage, funds transfer fraud coverage, kidnap, ransom, or extortion coverage.
Example: One of your employees is caught stealing and selling equipment from your nursery. In this scenario, your crime coverage will help to replace the stolen equipment.
Contractors Pollution Liability
Contractor-based insurance policy, offered on a claims-made or occurrence basis, that provides third-party coverage for bodily injury, property damage, defense, cleanup, and related defense costs as a result of pollution conditions arising from contracting operations performed by or on behalf of the contractor.
Example: One of your employees performs a routine pesticide application in your garden center. Immediately after the application, another unsuspecting employee begins watering the treated plants causing the pesticide chemicals causing run off into the surrounding area and local sewer supply. The chemicals cause several people who come in contact with the area to become ill and it is discovered to be a result of the pesticides from your greenhouse. In this scenario, a pollution liability policy would cover the costs of the injuries and clean up costs related to the pesticides.
Employment Practices Liability
Employment practices liability insurance protects employees against resulting litigation, including claims of sexual harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination.
Example: A former employee of yours has filed a lawsuit against your nursery growing business claiming that they were subjected to sexual harassment in the work environment. In this scenario, an employment practices liability policy will cover the subsequent litigation costs.
Cyber Liability
Cyber liability covers exposures when communicating or conducting business online. Potential liabilities include the internet and email. Online communication tools could result in claims alleging breaches of privacy rights, infringement or misappropriation of intellectual property, employment discrimination, violations of obscenity laws, the spreading of computer viruses, and defamation.
Example: Your greenhouse/garden center launches a new website to promote your products and allow customers to place orders online. Within a few weeks, your website falls victim to cyber attack and data breach. A cyber liability policy would cover the losses due to the data breach.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation provides no-fault statutory benefits prescribed in state law by an employer to an employee (or the employee’s family) due to a job-related injury (including death) resulting from an accident or occupational disease.
Example: One of your garden center employees is injured on the job after tripping over a garden hose left laying on the ground. A workers’ compensation policy will cover the work related injury to your employee.
Greenhouse Grower Frequently Asked Questions
Keeping your business insured is an important aspect to protecting your business from risk or claims that could ultimately put out of business. The right insurance can provide you with the financial stability needed in the event there is an workplace injury, catastrophic event, or severe crop loss in your greenhouse. Additionally, carrying the proper insurance provides your clients with the peace of mind and trust knowing that your business is properly insured.
General liability is a standard policy that will help protect your business in the event that their is a claim resulting from the work your business is performing. If your business has a fleet of vehicles, a commercial auto policy will be able to provide coverage generally not available through a personal auto policy. Property coverage is a very important line of business to carry for greenhouse growers, nursery owners, and garden centers particularly if you have multiple locations, a lot of equipment, or would like crop loss coverage. If you regularly transport equipment, an inland marine policy will help to protect your equipment in transit. You may want to also consider an umbrella policy as an added layer of protection in the event any one of your lines of business is unable to fully cover a resulting claim. There are also a number of other coverages available to greenhouse growers and nursery owners that may help your business operate without interruption.
The amount of insurance you carry is largely driven by the type of work you do. If your business faces a higher exposure to risk in your day to day operations, then you’ll need adequate coverage to cover that risk. It is best to have more insurance than you feel is needed because in the unfortunate event a claim occurs, you don’t risk your business you’ve spent years building.
The cost of your greenhouse insurance depends on a variety of factors. One of the primary aspects of your business that influences your premium costs is the nature of the work being performed. If the nature of your business has a higher exposure to risk (i.e. a high traffic garden center), then your insurance premiums will generally be higher than a lower risk business. Additionally, the size of your business has a direct result on the cost of your insurance. If your greenhouse requires multiple lines of coverage, these will subsequently drive the cost of your premium up depending on your coverage needs.
Some of more common claims seen throughout the greenhouse insurance industry include workplace related accidents, such as slip & fall incidents, injury due to equipment, or even exposure due to harmful chemicals. Additionally, greenhouses, nurseries, and garden centers that transport their products tend to also see auto related claims as well. Property claims are also a common occurrence in the greenhouse industry, particularly due to storm and natural disaster related damages. Finally, crop loss due to weather, pests, or other causes is a claim greenhouse insurance companies see throughout the industry.
The first step to take when a claim occurs is to documents in as much detail as possible. Make note of the location and time of the incident, as well as who was involved, what occurred, and any injuries or damages that may have been sustained. The next step is to contact your insurance company directly to report the claim to them. As a GrowPro client, you’ll be able to utilize our expert claims center to help you manage your claims and ensure your business continues to operate without interruption.
GrowPro offers every client the premier service they need to keep their operations running. Our approach is to provide you with the coverage and protection you want and expect from your greenhouse insurance. Additionally, GrowPro helps you to reduce claims by providing access to our world class risk management services, expert claims assistance, and more. With over 30+ years of industry experience, GrowPro knows exactly what greenhouse growers and nursery owners need out of their insurance coverage.
Experience Modification Rate (EMR), also known as eMod or mod rate, is a critical component of an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance premiums. The primary factor that determines an Experience Modification Rate is your greenhouse or nursery business’ prior losses to determine any potential future losses. This information is then used to more accurately price out your greenhouse insurance premium.
Educational Content for Greenhouse Growers
Greenhouse Insurance Coverages
May 6, 2021Best Footwear for Hydroponic Systems and Greenhouse Safety
While working in a greenhouse may seem idyllic and safe, there are a number of safety concerns you should be aware of in this line of work. Wearing the proper PPE, including the type of footwear you use, could help avoid some of those safety concerns. Read more in this article...
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April 15, 2021Electrical Fire and Safety Compliance Rules in a Greenhouse
While electrical fires & safety hazards may not be the most top of mind item for your operation, that doesn't mean you shouldn't work to protect your operation. Take a look at some safety topics to help ensure your business' safety.
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April 8, 2021Hydroponic Crop Safety and Compliance in a Greenhouse
Keeping your hydroponic growing operation, clean and safe is an area that can sometimes be overlooked. Here are some tips to help you limit risks that can severely impact your business. Read more in this article...
Read MoreOSHA Agricultural Safety & Health Topics
OSHA safety & health topics covering common issues agriculture and green industry professionals face throughout the industry. Green industry workers should take advantage of the available publications to explore common safety hazards associated with pesticide application, horticulture & greenhouse equipment, and more. As the federal safety standard for labor, business owners must comply with all OSHA mandates or risk facing fines or legal prosecution.
OSHA Youth in Agriculture Publications
OSHA publications concerning the employment and safety of youth workers involved in the agriculture, greenhouse grower, and other green industry sectors. Young workers in the agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, and ornamental industries should be made aware of their rights as employees and the hazards they face. Business owners are required to comply with OSHA standards regarding young worker employment.
Additional OSHA publications covering green industry and greenhouse growing topics, national & state resources, grants, and more. Business owners can utilize the publications as training material for their ornamental, floriculture, or horticultural operations. Greenhouse business owners looking cooperative extension programs, agriculture safety programs, training grants, and more can take advantage of the material provided by OSHA.
UMASS Publications & Resources
The the University of Massachusetts offers a collection of publication and resources available for horticulture and green industry professionals. Articles cover greenhouse management best practices, plant pest & pesticides, greenhouse grower equipment, and more. Floriculture and ornamental business owners can take advantage of the floral newsletters, greenhouse best practice manuals, floriculture guides, and more.
Journal of Environmental Horticulture
The Journal of Environmental Horticulture is a collection of peer reviewed papers and publications provided by the Horticulture Research Institute, an affiliate of the AmericanHort Foundation. The Journal covers an array of green industry topics concerning the latest scientific research throughout the horticulture, floriculture, and ornamental industries. The articles featured target both research and green industry businesses of all types by providing both the science of research being conducted, as well as, its significance to to the horticulture industry.
Horticultural Research Institute
The Horticultural Research Institute’s offers a collection of the latest news, articles, and webinars concerning all things plant health, nursery grower research, and greenhouse growing workshops. The publications available focus on growing tips, greenhouse equipment, pest controls, and more. The Horticultural Research Institute is an affiliate of the AmericanHort Foundation, the largest horticulture association and voice of the grower industry. Articles are published frequently and provide timely, relevant information for greenhouse growers and nursery owners.
Horticultural Research Institute Grant Requirements & Application
Horticultural Research Institute Grant program has distributed over $7 millions in green industry funds to research projects covering the full range of plant growing production, environmental, and greenhouse and nursery business issues important to the horticultural trade since 1962. Researchers are encouraged to explore and apply for the grant opportunities provided through AmericanHort donors. Horticultural Research Institute only funds research that specifically deals with green industry-related issues. HRI-supported projects focus on significant problems, regulatory issues, and emerging opportunities in the nursery, greenhouse, retail, and landscape industry. HRI research focuses on the ornamental and floriculture propagation, production, distribution, marketing, and sale of plant material.
Horticultural Research Institute Scholarship Program
The Horticultural Research Institute Scholarship Program offers seven different scholarship opportunities to students interested in careers involved with the horticulture and green industries. Currently faced with a labor shortage, the HRI Scholarship Program looks to encourage young, talented students find their future in greenhouse ornamental & floriculture sectors. Additionally, young workers can access a horticulture job board, growing initiatives, and green industry professional online networking.
OSHA small business resources are available for greenhouse, nursery, or garden center business owners to access. Horticulture, floriculture, and ornamental business owners can take advantage of the resources available. The publications provided can provide business owners with resources concerning OSHA compliance consulting, co-op programs, safety standards/handbooks, and economic benefits. Additionally, OSHA provides Spanish-Language resources for Spanish speaking business owners and employees.
AmericanHort Industry Insider Report
The AmericanHort Industry Insider Report regularly discusses important greenhouse industry benchmarking, horticulture market metrics, and other plant grower business information to help business improve their operations. Floriculture and ornamental greenhouse owners can utilize the provided information to determine pricing, growing equipment costs, and plant production costs. The reports available provide quick insights into costs associated with typical greenhouse and garden supplies or overhead, as well as, detailed reports breaking down specific areas of greenhouse production costs, such as labor, energy, freight, and more.
Hort Americas Horticultural and Grower Resources
Hort Americas provides useful articles and videos on an array of topics from hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic farms, as well as, water treatment, organic fertilizers, vertical farms, and more. Hort Americas provides open access the a ton of growing tips that greenhouse business owners can utilize in their plant production. Additional topics include greenhouse technology, substrate, fertilizer, and greenhouse climate control tips. The resources available contain both articles and videos detailing best practices.
UMASS Greenhouse Management Fact Sheets
The University of Massachusetts Amherst collection of greenhouse management fact sheets provide information on topics such as different types of greenhouse irrigation, hydroponic systems, greenhouse crops, and more. Greenhouse and nursery business owners are free to access these fact sheets to troubleshoot greenhouse production technology issues they may face or learn more about growing best practices concerning specific plant types, energy uses, pesticide application, and more.
Jobs in Horticulture, Inc. offers a greenhouse, agriculture, and horticulture job board for growers looking for jobs in the green industry or agricultural labor. Green industry professional employers and job seekers alike can take advantage of the job board available. Open positions range from arboriculture, irrigation, nursery, and horticulture science opportunities. Business owners should leverage the job board to help combat the current labor shortage issue the horticulture industry currently faces.
USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
The USDA has implemented the Coronavirus Food Assistance program aiming to fund fruit and vegetable growers specialty crop farmers, and livestock and dairy producers with $19 billion in relief funds. The CFAP package consists of two parts: $16 million in direct payments to commodity growers, specialty crop farmers, and livestock and dairy producers issued through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), and $3 billion in direct purchases of meat, dairy, and specialty crops.
FMCSA Trucking Hours of Service Changes Finalized
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a final rule allowing more flexibility for the Hours of Service rules. The FMSCA has determined that loading and unloading can constitute as breaks for drivers. The change is welcomed throughout the horticulture industry, which typically sees longer loading and unloading times due to handling live plants. Read more about the updates in this Nursery Management article.
AmericanHort Nursery Stock Standards
The purpose of the American Standard for Nursery Stock is to provide buyers and sellers of nursery stock with a common terminology in order to facilitate transactions involving nursery stock. For instance, the standards establish common techniques for (a) measuring plants, (b) specifying and stating the size of plants, (c) determining the proper relationship between height and caliper, or height and width, and (d) determining whether a root ball or container is large enough for a particular size plant. In other words, this book is a communication tool, and does not provide buyers with any assurance of the health or quality of the nursery stock being specified or sold.
OSHA Safety & Compliance Standards
Agricultural operations are addressed in specific standards for agriculture and general green industry. This page also highlights directives, which are instructions for OSHA staff, and standard interpretations, which are official letters of interpretation of OSHA standards. Ornamental, floriculture, and horticulture greenhouse owners should familiarize themselves with any relevant standards to avoid being in violation.
DOL Agricultural Employment Resources
The Department of Labor employments resources for agricultural professionals provides articles ranging from migrant and seasonal agricultural protection, H-2A visa information, and field sanitation. The Wage and Hour Division is responsible for administering a number of statutes that extend various protections to different types of agricultural workers. The coverage and requirements of these statutes may overlap.
| 15699 – Nursery-Garden |
| 97047 – Landscape Gardening |
| 45901 – Mail Order Houses |
| 43840 – Fruit or Vegetable-Harvesting Contractors |
| 61212 – Buildings or Premises-Bank or Office-Mercantile or Mfg. (Lessor’s Risk Only)-Other Than Not-For-Profit |
| 12362 – Distributors-No Food or Drink |
| 12841 – Florists |
| 99777 – Tree Pruning, Dusting, Spraying, Repairing, Trimming or Fumigating |
| 53377 – Food Products Mfg.-Not Dry-In Other Than Glass Containers |
| 10255 – Building Material Dealers-Other Than Secondhand Material |
| 33299 – All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing |
| 33599 – All Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing |
| 13112 – Fruit or Vegetable Distributors |
| 68702 – Warehouses-Occupied by Multiple Interests (Lessor’s Risk Only) |
| 47051 – Real Estate Development Property |
| 33699 – Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing |
| 68703 – Warehouses-Occupied by Single Interest (Lessor’s Risk Only) |
| 31199 – All Other Food Manufacturing |
| 7398 – Workers Compensation |
4 Basic Insurance Policies for Greenhouses and Nursery Garden Centers
NIP Group provides an overview of four basic insurance policies that can help safeguard your horticulture or plant grower business.
What Hemp Growers Need to Know About Pest Management
Tips every hemp grower & greenhouse owner should know and learn about pest management for their hemp growing operations.
How Automation is Transforming Greenhouses and Nurseries
Automation technology is rapidly growing in a number of sectors, including greenhouses and nurseries throughout the world.
H-2A Updates & Labor Shortages in the Agriculture Industry
The agriculture industry has been hampered by labor shortages. The H-2A program can help labor shortages greenhouses & garden centers face.
AI-Driven Hydroponic Systems Are Changing the Future of Food Production
AI based hydroponic equipment & hydroponic systems are changing the way large scale greenhouse growing operations conventially produced food.
Expanding Your Growing Operation: Getting Started With Hemp Webinar
In this webinar, Peter Armando discusses the benefits and start up requirements needed for greenhouse owners to start a hemp growing operation.
H-2A: Getting Agriculture Workers You Need Legally Webinar
In this webinar, L.J. D’Arrigo of Harris Beach, PLLC explains the H-2A Program & how to utilize it for legal immagrant labor for your agriculture business.
COVID-19 Relief Resources Webinar
In this webinar, John Bertoli & Marissa Weidenborner explain how your small or medium sized business can navigate COVID-19 relief resources.
Here are the most frequent claims that we see related to green industry horticulture professionals in the greenhouse grower, nursery owner, ornamental, and floriculture sectors:
| Loss Description Code | Business Classification |
| Collision or Sideswipe With Another Vehicle | Floriculture garden center |
| Collision with Other Vehicle | Ornamental nursery |
| Other | Hydroponic & aquaponic greenhouse grower |
| Motor Vehicle – other | Hemp growing operation |
| Rock Hit Windshield | Floriculture garden center |
Here are the most severe claims that we see related to green industry horticulture professionals in the greenhouse grower, nursery owner, ornamental, and floriculture sectors:
| State | Coverage | Loss Description | Total Incurred |
| TX | Property (Direct Damage) | Other | $610,000 |
| NY | Property (Direct Damage) | Fire | $278,418 |
| TX | Auto Physical Damage | Overturn/Rollover | $96,551 |
| LA | Property (Direct Damage) | Wind/Hail | $78,706 |
| NV | Auto Physical Damage | Collision with Other Vehicle | $64,749 |
Here are the top 10 green industry professional accounts GrowPro has recently bound throughout the greenhouse grower, nursery owner, ornamental, and floriculture sectors:
| State | Business Classification | Policy Type | Premium |
| CA | Nursery | GL, Prop, Auto, Excess | $39,544 |
| OR | Greenhouse Grower | GL, Prop, Boiler, Excess | $48,513 |
| UT | Greenhouse Grower | GL, Prop, Boiler | $149,400 |
| NJ | Nursery | GL, Prop | $52,760 |
| NM | Garden Center | GL, Prop, Excess | $13,852 |
| CA | Garden Center | GL, Prop, Auto, Excess | $16,350 |
| TX | Hydroponic Grower | GL, Prop, Auto, Excess | $11,976 |
| FL | Nursery | GL, Prop, Auto, Boiler, Excess | $36,149 |
| CA | Greenhouse Grower | GL, Prop, Auto, Boiler, Excess | $74,854 |
| CA | Nursery | GL, Prop, Auto, Excess | $24,209 |