Landscaping insurance questions, answered

It's a group of policies. General liability handles damage and injuries your work causes to others, workers' comp covers injured employees, commercial auto covers your trucks and trailers, and equipment coverage protects mowers and machines. Your services and contracts decide what else you need. See our coverage overview.

That's the kind of third-party property damage general liability is designed for, subject to your deductible, limits and exclusions. It won't pay to repair your own mower or trailer.

Only if you carry equipment (inland marine) coverage or a property policy that reaches it. Auto policies generally don't cover the trailer's contents. Some equipment policies have conditions about locks or where equipment is kept, so read them.

It depends on the policy. Many liability policies limit pollution-type claims, and carriers treat chemical application differently. Our pesticide and herbicide page explains what to ask.

Often not, if you have no employees, but the answer depends on your state and how your business is organized. An HOA or property manager may still want proof, such as a state exemption certificate.

Your price depends on your payroll and class codes, your revenue, the services you offer (especially chemical work), your trucks and trailers, your claims history and the limits you choose. Our cost guide shows published ranges by coverage.

Some owners ask about dropping coverage in winter, but a gap can leave completed work and stored equipment unprotected and can cost you contracts. A better move is making sure your payroll and sales estimates are accurate, since many policies are adjusted at audit.

It can, depending on the size of the claim and the carrier. Loss history is one of the factors underwriters weigh at renewal.

It depends on the state and the work. Some states license landscape or installation contractors, most require a commercial license to apply pesticides for hire, and some license irrigation work. See license requirements by state.

In some states the business license for commercial application asks for proof of liability insurance or financial responsibility. Our pesticide license guide covers what we found.

Many ask for $1 million per occurrence in general liability, plus auto and workers' comp, and some want an umbrella on top. Always read the insurance section of the contract before you sign.

No, the insurer does. Landscaper Insurance Group is a brand of The Allen Thomas Group, an independent agency that shops carriers for you.

Current clients can usually get certificates on existing coverage the same day. Certificates that need new endorsements, like additional insured wording, depend on the carrier.

A licensed agent responds within one business day (requests sent on a weekend are answered the following Monday). We're available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern.

Anywhere in the 28 states where the agency holds a license. Find yours on our states page.