Lawncare professionals face many risks completing their daily work on various different job sites. They work with heavy equipment and sharp tools which can result in injuries from workers or third parties, there is a chance for property damage, equipment theft, vehicle incidents, chemical hazards, and more. And although you can take every precautionary step, you can never take those risks down to zero, which is why having a landscaping business insurance policy is crucial.
This is where a Morison Insurance broker can help! We will compare policies from Canada’s leading insurance providers to help you get a comprehensive landscaping business insurance quote tailored to your needs.
Lawn care business insurance is a type of contractors insurance policy that provides financial protection in the event of a loss such as accidents, property damage, injuries and legal claims. Landscapers are exposed to many different risks and utilize many different types of tools and machinery, so it is important that they have the proper protection in place. Coverage can be tailored to your specific business needs providing peace of mind knowing that your investment and livelihood is protected.
If you own a lawn care business, you’re accustomed to the many risks that are associated with your line of work. Not only do landscaping businesses operate heavy machinery on a day-to-day basis, but you also work outdoors, with chemicals such as herbicide, and deal with heavy trees and bushes.
Regardless of if you are just starting a landscaping business or you have been a professional landscaper for many years, if you provide landscaping services to commercial or residential clients, it’s important that you choose to obtain a small business insurance policy tailored to your profession. Not only will landscaping insurance protect you against the possibly devastating effects of an accident, but it will also help protect you financially should you be found liable in a lawsuit brought against you, or responsible for paying medical fees. If you work in the following disciplines, you should have landscaping insurance:
While the type of business insurance you need will vary depending on the nature of your business, whether you work alone or if you have employees, and the size of your business, the only way to be truly protected against a range of perils is with the right landscaping insurance policy. At Morison Insurance, our team is dedicated to finding our clients the best possible insurance coverage, so you can breathe easy knowing your landscaping business is protected even when disaster strikes.
In a nutshell, insurance protects you, your lawn care business, your employees and your clients in the event of an emergency. Without adequate protection, you would have to recoup any losses, settle financial disputes, pay for legal fees and cover medical bills out-of-pocket. This can put serious financial strain on even the most savvy landscaping business owner.
Landscapers insurance is not legally required in Ontario, however, it is a crucial coverage to have and most businesses cannot afford to go without it. If a loss occurs and you don’t have a lawn care business insurance policy, you will be forced to pay for those losses out of pocket. Depending on the loss, you could be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is important to note that while landscapers insurance is not legally required, most clients will require a certificate of insurance.
Landscaping insurance protects your business from a range of risks that could be the result of an accident, theft, loss or bodily injury. Consider for a moment that an accident has happened. Say one of your new employees accidentally damages your client’s deck during a landscaping job. Do you have enough capital to afford the subsequent damages, legal fees and medical bills?
If you’re like most landscapers, the answer is probably no. Most business owners don’t have enough extra capital to pay out-of-pocket when disaster strikes, which is why it is so very important you have a thorough insurance policy that covers all possible perils you may encounter at work.
Protect yourself, your employees and clients with landscaping insurance. At Morison Insurance, we can tailor your landscaping insurance policy so that it perfectly suits your needs. There are a number of coverages available to you.
Also referred to as CGL, commercial general liability insurance is a basic form of coverage that protects you from day-to-day risks that might happen while you’re at work. Namely, this includes coverage against bodily injury to a third party and accidental property damage. For example, if you’re working in a residential backyard and a neighbour pops by to see what you’re doing but trips on a set of tools and hurts themselves, you could be found liable. Commercial general liability subsequently covers medical bills and legal expenses—regardless of a lawsuit’s outcome.
If you use a work vehicle to get to and from jobs, and you transport your tools and equipment when you travel, you need commercial auto insurance. This coverage protects you against collision damages, liability damages and theft. You’ll also be protected in the event you need to pay out for medical expenses due to an accident. It’s important to note that commercial auto insurance will not cover the theft of tools or equipment from a vehicle.
Commonly referred to as errors and omissions insurance, this type of coverage protects you in the event you face a lawsuit due to alleged negligence, failure to deliver promised or expected services, breach of contract, misconduct and bad advice. For instance, say you provided drawings for a rock wall and the drawing are inaccurate and cause a loss, professional liability insurance protects you from legal fees and subsequent damages, including financial settlements.
Tools and equipment insurance protects your equipment and tools from damage and loss. This policy protects both tools you own, and tools that are in your care. There is an option to purchase in transit coverage or coverage for equipment or tools while it is off premises. Although you do everything you can to prevent theft of your tools and equipment while on the job, this coverage can help provide peace of mind.
This coverage protects you against liabilities resulting from environmental hazards such as contamination, bodily injury or property damage caused by pollution. Examples of this could be a lung infection or respiratory issues, or mould infestation. If your landscaping company regularly deals with pesticides and fertilizers, it’s imperative that you invest in pollution liability.
If you have an office or workshop associated with your business—including a garage or shed if you work from home—you need commercial property insurance. This policy protects against damage from a fire, vandalism or loss due to theft. Without commercial property insurance, you might face serious financial losses, and it could take your business a significant time to recover.
Landscapers tend to have very expensive and specific equipment. When that equipment breaks down suddenly, you may have to cancel jobs and lose work until you’re able to afford a replacement. Even then, buying new equipment could be financially crippling. Yet, with equipment breakdown insurance, you can ensure your landscaping business is protected. This policy will help cover the repair and replacement costs of your mechanical equipment. It is important to note that usual wear and tear of your equipment will not be covered.
As someone who works outside most of the time, you may not think you need cyber insurance. But if you use a computer system at any point during your business operations, you should have this coverage. It protects your landscaping business’ software in the event you’re hacked—this includes protecting important financial or client information.
Depending on your business operation and insurance needs, you might be interested in protecting your business further with a few add-on policies such as disability insurance and life insurance. Talk to your broker to get the right advice about your insurance.
Important Notes:
General liability insurance protects you against two important perils: third-party bodily injury and property damage. Either could result in devastating financial losses for your business, so it’s integral that you have general liability coverage. For example, say one of your new employees is operating an excavator and backs it up into your client’s home. This could cause serious damage, and you’re liable for the repairs. Not to mention, you could wind up with a lawsuit on your hands. Protect yourself with the right insurance.
You will most likely need a commercial auto insurance policy. Even if you have auto insurance for personal use, while using your vehicle in a professional capacity, there is a chance you may not be covered if something happens. For instance, if you keep equipment in your vehicle that gets stolen, and you only use that equipment for work, it may not be covered under your personal auto insurance. Speak to a Morison Insurance broker who will help you get insurance for your landscaping company vehicle.
Depending on your landscaping insurance policy, your tools can be protected from loss, theft and damage. Since different policies protect your tools differently, it’s important to talk to an insurance agent and ensure your equipment is adequately covered regardless of where or when it is damaged.
Landscapers insurance does provide comprehensive coverage, however, there are some exclusions. Some common exclusions are:
For more details about what is not covered by a lawn care business insurance policy, contact the brokers at Morison Insurance. We would be happy to walk you through the policy details.
The cost of landscaping insurance can vary between $750 to $10,000. There are a number of factors that can impact lawn care business insurance rates, including:
To receive an accurate landscapers insurance quote, speak to the insurance brokers at Morison Insurance. We will compare quotes from leading insurance companies to find you the best coverage at the right price.
In addition to the right paperwork, you should be prepared to answer a series of questions posed by your dedicated insurance broker. These questions will help us understand what coverage is best for you, based on your landscaping business’ unique needs. A few questions you can expect your Morison Insurance broker to ask include:
Ready to get a lawn care business insurance quote? Contact Morison Insurance today!
Your client’s homeowners insurance will not protect you in the event of an emergency so you still require a lawn care business insurance policy. Even if you damage your client’s property accidentally, they may wish to sue you rather than go through their own insurance—which will only serve to increase their premiums. It’s also best to protect yourself as much as possible, and that is where landscapers insurance comes in.
You can get lawn care business insurance from the expert brokers at Morison Insurance. We are a proud family-owned and operated Canadian business, and we treat all our clients with that same family-oriented mindset. Our team is truly invested in finding the best coverage for your landscaping business’ needs. Working with you, we seek to provide you with peace of mind. Our goal is to ensure you feel confident in your coverage, so you can focus on growing your business rather than worrying about what the future might hold.
To inquire about landscaping insurance and get in touch with our expert brokers, give our team a call at 1-800-463-8074 or fill out the form on this page. We are here to help get the best insurance for lawn care businesses.
