Businesses that provide lawn care and general landscape maintenance operations are a common start-up every spring. According to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor, there were 402,000 self-employed grounds maintenance workers in 2008. This number continues to grow as the entire industry expects substantial growth over the next decade. The report stated that “more workers will be needed to keep up with increasing demand for lawn care and landscaping services both from large institutions and from individual homeowners.”
Homeowners that hire a new business to mow their yard should request proof that the business is properly insured to cover the liability for property damage and bodily injury. This exposure will be covered under a typical general liability policy and commercial auto policy. The business owner can provide from his insurance agency a ‘certificate of insurance’, which is a current listing of their liability coverages and limits.
For new lawn care businesses throughout the country, there are four standard insurance coverages to protect the business venture:
1. General Liability Insurance – Pays losses arising from real or alleged bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury on business premises or arising from business operations.
2. Commercial Auto Insurance – Pays losses for damage to company vehicles and trailers as well as injury and property damage to others as a result of vehicle liability when used for business purposes.
3. Equipment Floater Insurance – Provides protection for tools and equipment from a number of exposures such as theft.
4. Workers’ Compensation Insurance – Covers the cost of medical expenses and disability payments to employees that are injured at work, and it is required by state governments.
There are additional insurance coverages to consider as the lawn care business expands and the exposures increase. For more information about those coverages or the ones mentioned above, visit BearWiseLandscapers.com, an informative insurance website exclusively for lawn care and landscaping businesses. BearWise Landscapers is a division of an independent insurance agency and specializes in serving the unique insurance needs of the Florida landscaping industry.
Drew Roberts, CPCU, ARM is an insurance agent in Orlando, Florida. Through the BearWise Landscapers insurance program, Drew specializes in the unique insurance needs of landscaping and lawn care businesses in Florida. Owners of Florida lawn care businesses may also directly contact Drew Roberts to discuss insurance quotes and the specific coverage needs of their business operations.
