Landscaping Insurance in Massachusetts

What insurance coverages do lawn care policies offer?

Lawn care policies typically come with a combination of property protections and liability protections.

The main purpose of property protection is usually to protect assets that a landscaper might own. There are several different property coverages for different assets and situations:

• Commercial Building Coverage: Might protect an office building, garage, or storage facility that a lawn care business or landscaper owns.
• Commercial Contents Coverage: Might protect equipment and supplies kept at a building’s location. Covered items could include lawnmowers, trimmers, spreaders, chainsaws, chippers, plants, seeds, treatments, computers, and more.
• Inland Marine Coverage: Might protect equipment and supplies while they’re being transported to and from customer locations. Covered items often include lawn equipment, landscaping equipment, seeds, and treatments.
• Equipment Breakdown Coverage: Might protect essential equipment, such as mowers, chippers, and other major equipment, in the event of a malfunction. This is normally only for specialized and/or large equipment.

Liability coverages normally protect against situations where a business is liable for harm that another party sustained, namely an injury or property damage. Several liability protections may be of interest to landscapers:

• General Liability Coverage: Typically for common accidents (not auto accidents) for which a landscaper or lawn care business is responsible.
• Errors and Omissions Coverage (E&O): Typically for mistakes made when advising customers on the installation or management of their landscaping.
• Product Liability Coverage: Typically for injuries, illnesses, and property damage caused by the use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other treatments.
• Environmental Liability Coverage: Typically for environmental damage caused by treatments, often including things like spills, leaks, and overuse of products.
• Commercial Auto Coverage: Typically for landscapers’ commercial trucks and vans, often covering accidents and other events.
• Commercial Umbrella Coverage: Typically provides additional coverage for costly liability lawsuits.

Are lawn care companies required to get workers compensation?

In Massachusetts, businesses with employees are normally required to have workers compensation insurance. It’s primarily to protect against various injuries and illnesses that employees could sustain while working.

Lawn care and landscaping businesses that have employees usually are required per state law to get workers compensation. Individuals who mow lawns on their own likely don’t need it.

Can lawn care policies cover snow plowing during winter?

Many lawn care insurance policies can cover winter snow removal services, either as a standard feature or by choosing optional protections. An insurance agent who specializes in lawn care insurance can assist with finding a dual-purpose policy.

Can landscaping policies cover architectural landscaping work?

While some of these policies may offer protection for architectural landscaping services, others might not have all the necessary coverages. In particular, landscape architects should work with a knowledgeable agent to review a policy’s errors and omissions coverage.

How much do landscapers pay for insurance?

The cost of lawn care insurance varies based on several factors, often including the type of equipment used, services provided, business size and location, and other details. In most cases, however, these policies are quite affordable.