NIP Group is excited to announce that we have partnered with an outstanding new insurance carrier on our GrowPro® program for insurance coverage for greenhouse growers, nurseries, retail garden centers, hydroponic farms or any combination.
This partnership provides our greenhouse insurance program with greater capacity, more pricing flexibility, enhanced stock coverages, more customized risk control and even better claims service.
Let us put our 30+ years of green industry experience to work for you! The agriculture & growing industry are changing rapidly and GrowPro® is here to make sure our greenhouse grower and nursery business owners have the latest resources available to them. Whether it’s a hydroponic farm, floriculture and ornamental nursery, retail garden center, or even a hemp growing operation, GrowPro® provides expert guidance on greenhouse insurance coverages and risk control, plus proper valuation of your client’s operations, property and equipment.
Better Coverage By Design
Description: Added benefit of providing coverage for “Growing Stock” which is defined in the cover and which is otherwise excluded in policy. Coverage extension also includes “Processing water” which is a key component in the hydroponic industry.
Claim Example: Your water piping system within the operation breaks and you loose the water which was contained inside. Without this coverage, you will not be indemnified for the value of the water as water is excluded from Property policies.
Description: Added benefit of providing coverage for “Growing Stock” which is defined in the cover and which is otherwise excluded in policy. Also provides a $250,000 limit to growing stock while temporarily removed from “your” greenhouse, or other buildings and within a 1,000 ft. of greenhouse, structure or building and is being prepared for sale or delivery
Claim Example: The growing stock is removed from the greenhouse and no longer contained within a structure, once the growing stock is removed from protection by a structure or outside it is no longer covered.
Eligible Risks
- Greenhouse Growers
- Nurseries/Nursery Growers
- Garden Centers
- Hydroponic & Aquaponic Growers
- Hemp (Property & Auto coverage)
- Program is admitted and written in all states
Minimum Package Premium
$10,000
Why Work With NIP Group?
- The Green Industry Experts For More Than 30 Years
- Carrier Rated A+ (Superior), Financial Size XV by A.M. Best
- Specialized Coverages Not Available Through Typical Products
- World-Class Risk Control Services
- Expert Claims Handling
- Flexible Payment Plans
- Competitive Rates
- Superior Customer Service
Coverages
- General Liability – Premises and Operations (limits up to $1M per occurrence/$2M aggregate)
- Auto Liability (limits up to $1M per occurrence/$2M aggregate)
- Property, including Equipment Breakdown (limits up to $15M per location)
- Product Liability (limits up to $2M)
- Umbrella Liability (limits up to $15M)
- Contractors Pollution Liability
- Employment Practices Liability
- Cyber Liability
- Workers’ Compensation (Statutory Limits)
Submission Requirements
- Completed and signed ACORD applications
- Completed and signed GrowPro Supplemental
- FEIN Number
- 4 years of currently valued, hard copy loss runs for all lines of business being requested
GrowPro Program Manager
Daniel Guida
Daniel serves as Program Manager for the GrowPro program with 25 years of P&C experience with extensive experience providing small to mid-sized businesses with comprehensive assessments of their financial wellness and insurance needs. Daniel earned his degree in Economics from Montclair State University.
Claims
Eligibility Map
Target States
Other Eligible states
Educational Content for Greenhouse Growers
OSHA 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 |
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