Landscaping Business Insurance: Complete Hartford + Chubb Guide (2026)

Quick Answer

Landscaping insurance protects your business from property damage, injuries, equipment loss, and liability claims. Landscape contractors face risks including property damage, customer injuries, equipment theft, and employee accidents.

Cost: $2,000-$5,000/year for solo operators, $5,000-$15,000 for established crews, $15,000-$50,000+ for larger landscaping companies with multiple crews.

Best for:

Solo/Small Crews: Hartford ($2K-$5K, competitive rates for startups)
Established Landscapers: Hartford or Chubb ($5K-$15K, comprehensive coverage)
Premium Property Services: Chubb ($15K+, high-end client protection)

Bottom line: Landscaping contractors need general liability (minimum $1M), commercial auto, equipment coverage, and workers compensation. One lawsuit from property damage can exceed $100K without proper coverage.

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The landscaping industry generates over $115 billion annually in the United States, with approximately 600,000 licensed landscape contractors providing lawn care, maintenance, design, and installation services. Whether you operate solo or manage multiple crews, proper insurance protects your business from devastating financial losses.

This guide examines landscaping business insurance requirements, with detailed coverage analysis from Hartford and Chubb, two major carriers actively writing landscape contractors.

Why Landscapers Need Specialized Insurance

Property Damage Exposure: Landscapers work on client properties daily. Broken sprinkler lines, damaged fences, cracked driveways, window breakage from flying debris, and plant damage create significant liability. According to industry data, the average landscape property damage claim costs $12,500.

Equipment Investment: Landscape contractors invest $25,000-$250,000+ in mowers, trimmers, aerators, trucks, trailers, and specialized equipment. Theft, damage, and breakdown can halt operations and destroy cash flow.

Employee Injury Risk: Landscaping ranks among the most dangerous occupations. Heat exhaustion, equipment injuries, falls, and repetitive stress injuries result in workers compensation claims averaging $45,000 per incident.

Third-Party Injuries: Customers, pedestrians, or neighboring property owners can be injured by flying rocks from mowers, chemical exposure, or trip hazards from equipment. Injury lawsuits average $85,000 in settlements.

Seasonal Cash Flow: Many landscaping businesses generate 70-80% of revenue during April-October. A major loss during peak season without business interruption coverage can force closure.

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Core Insurance Coverage for Landscaping Businesses

General Liability Insurance

General liability is the foundation of landscaping insurance:

Bodily Injury Coverage:

Customer injured by flying debris
Pedestrian struck by equipment
Neighboring property owner injured
Slip-and-fall on your work site
Chemical exposure injuries

Property Damage Coverage:

Broken underground utilities (water, gas, electric)
Damaged sprinkler systems
Cracked driveways or walkways
Fence damage from equipment
Siding damage from trimmers or mowers
Window breakage
Destroyed plants or landscaping

Completed Operations:
Covers claims arising after job completion:

Retaining wall failure
Drainage issues causing flooding
Tree damage from improper trimming
Deck or patio structural failure

Standard limits: $1M per occurrence / $2M general aggregate

Many commercial clients require $2M limits as a contract condition.

Typical Costs:

Solo operator: $800-$1,500/year
Small crew (2-5 employees): $1,500-$3,500/year
Established business (6-15 employees): $3,500-$8,000/year
Large operation (15+ employees): $8,000-$20,000+/year

Commercial Auto Insurance

Essential for landscaping businesses using vehicles and trailers:

Coverage Components:

Liability (bodily injury and property damage)
Collision coverage (vehicle damage)
Comprehensive (theft, vandalism, weather)
Uninsured/underinsured motorist
Towing and labor

Landscaping-Specific Considerations:

Trailer coverage (often requires endorsement)
Equipment in transit coverage
Hired and non-owned auto (employee vehicles)
Loading and unloading coverage

Costs: $1,800-$4,500/year per truck/trailer combination

Learn more: Commercial auto insurance guide.

Equipment and Tool Coverage (Inland Marine)

Protects mobile equipment and tools:

Covered Equipment:

Mowers (zero-turn, riding, push)
Trimmers and edgers
Blowers and vacuums
Aerators and dethatchers
Chain saws and pole saws
Sprayers and spreaders
Hand tools
Trailers

Covered Perils:

Theft from vehicles, job sites, or storage
Vandalism and malicious mischief
Fire
Collision and overturning
Flood and weather damage

Coverage Options:

Replacement cost vs. actual cash value
Per-item limits or blanket coverage
Deductibles ($500-$2,500)

Typical limits: $25,000-$150,000

Costs: $400-$2,000/year depending on equipment value and deductible.

Workers Compensation Insurance

Required in most states if you have employees:

Common Landscaping Injuries:

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Back strains from lifting
Lacerations from equipment
Crushing injuries
Falls from ladders or equipment
Repetitive stress injuries
Chemical exposure
Insect stings and allergic reactions

NCCI Class Codes:

0042 (Landscape gardening): $3.00-$12.00 per $100 payroll
5506 (Tree trimming/pruning): $12.00-$35.00 per $100 payroll
5213 (Concrete work): $8.00-$18.00 per $100 payroll

Example: $300,000 annual payroll at $8.00 rate = $24,000/year premium

Safety programs can reduce rates 10-25%.

More details: Workers compensation guide.

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Commercial Umbrella Insurance

Provides excess liability above primary policies:

Why Landscapers Need Umbrella Coverage:

Catastrophic injury claims easily exceed $1M
Major property damage (broken gas line, structural damage)
Multiple claimants from single incident
Legal defense costs in complex cases

Recommended limits: $1M-$5M

Costs: $600-$2,000/year for $1M-$2M coverage

Learn more: Commercial umbrella guide.

Hartford vs Chubb: Landscaping Coverage Comparison

Carrier	Best For	Coverage Limits	Annual Cost	Key Strengths
Hartford	Solo operators, small crews, residential landscapers, maintenance contractors	GL $1M-$2M, Equipment $25K-$250K	$2,000-$15,000	Competitive pricing, broad agent network, package discounts, new business friendly
Chubb	Established landscapers, commercial property maintenance, high-end residential services	GL $2M-$10M+, Equipment up to $1M+	$4,000-$50,000+	Higher limits available, premium claims service, replacement cost equipment coverage, multi-state operations

Hartford Landscaping Program

Coverage Highlights:

Package policies combining GL, property, equipment
Seasonal business accommodations
Flexible payment plans
New business programs (1+ year in business accepted)
Equipment replacement cost available
Blanket equipment coverage (no item-by-item scheduling)

Underwriting Preferences:

Residential and light commercial work
Annual revenue $100K-$5M
Clean loss history
Basic safety program
Licensed and insured subcontractors
Proper vehicle maintenance

Pricing Examples:

Solo Landscaper:

Revenue: $75K
0 employees
Equipment: $15K
1 truck
Hartford cost: $2,200-$3,500/year

Small Crew:

Revenue: $400K
4 employees
Equipment: $60K
2 trucks, 2 trailers
Hartford cost: $7,500-$12,000/year

Established Business:

Revenue: $2M
15 employees
Equipment: $200K
6 trucks, 4 trailers
Hartford cost: $25,000-$40,000/year

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Chubb Landscaping Program

Enhanced Coverage:

Agreed value equipment coverage
Higher liability limits ($5M-$10M available)
Worldwide coverage for international operations
Hired equipment coverage
Non-owned equipment liability
Contractual liability for large projects
Pollution liability available

Underwriting Requirements:

3+ years operating history
Minimum $500K revenue
Strong financial performance
Comprehensive safety program
Fleet safety management
Formal contracts with clients
Certificates of insurance program

Pricing Examples:

Established Commercial Landscaper:

Revenue: $1.5M
12 employees
Equipment: $150K
Commercial property focus
Chubb cost: $12,000-$20,000/year

Large Landscape Company:

Revenue: $8M
45 employees
Equipment: $800K
Design-build services
Multi-state operations
Chubb cost: $45,000-$80,000/year

Cost Factors for Landscaping Insurance

Primary Rating Variables

Factor	Impact	Notes
Annual Revenue	Direct correlation	Primary rating factor for GL
Payroll Amount	Direct for workers comp	Workers comp based on $100 of payroll
Services Provided	High impact	Tree work 3-5x more expensive than mowing
Equipment Value	Direct for property	Inland marine premium based on value
Number of Vehicles	Direct for auto	Each vehicle adds to premium
Claims History	30-100% surcharge	Clean record gets discounts
Years in Business	10-20% credit	3+ years gets better rates

High-Risk Services (Higher Premiums)

Tree trimming and removal (200-400% surcharge)
Stump grinding (50-100% surcharge)
Excavation and grading (100-200% surcharge)
Retaining wall installation (75-150% surcharge)
Snow removal (75-125% surcharge)
Chemical application (50-100% surcharge)

Lower-Risk Services (Standard Rates)

Lawn mowing and maintenance
Spring/fall cleanup
Mulching and edging
Planting flowers and shrubs
Irrigation maintenance (not installation)
Leaf removal

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Risk Management Best Practices

Property Damage Prevention

Pre-Job Site Assessment:

Walk property before starting work
Document existing damage (photos/video)
Mark underground utilities (call 811)
Identify potential hazards
Discuss client expectations

Job Site Procedures:

Use string trimmers carefully near siding, vehicles, windows
Install deflector shields on mowers
Watch for sprinkler heads, utility boxes, landscape lighting
Keep equipment away from structures
Clean up debris immediately

Client Communication:

Written contracts for all jobs
Clear scope of work
Document special instructions
Get permission before moving items
Report damage immediately (don't hide it)

Employee Safety Programs

Training Requirements:

Equipment operation training
Heat illness prevention
Proper lifting techniques
Chemical safety (if applicable)
Emergency procedures
First aid/CPR

Safety Equipment:

Safety glasses mandatory
Hearing protection
Work boots (steel toe preferred)
Sun protection (hats, sunscreen)
Gloves appropriate for task
High-visibility clothing

Hydration and Rest:

Water breaks every 30 minutes in heat
Shade available during breaks
Adjust schedule during extreme heat
Monitor employees for heat illness signs

Equipment Security

Theft Prevention:

Lock equipment on trailers
Use enclosed trailers when possible
Park trailers in secure locations overnight
GPS tracking on valuable equipment
Engrave equipment with business name/phone
Take photos of serial numbers
Keep equipment maintenance records

Maintenance Program:

Daily pre-use inspections
Regular oil changes and service
Blade sharpening schedule
Air filter replacement
Spark plug maintenance
Clean equipment daily
Winter storage procedures

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Common Coverage Gaps

Pollution Liability

Standard GL excludes pollution. Landscapers using chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides need pollution liability coverage:

Covered Scenarios:

Chemical runoff into waterways
Overspray damaging neighboring property
Groundwater contamination
Improper disposal of chemicals

Costs: $800-$3,000/year for $1M coverage

Underground Utility Damage

Some policies exclude or limit coverage for underground utility damage. Request:

Underground utilities endorsement
Or confirm coverage included in GL
Typical sublimits: $50K-$250K per occurrence

Tools and Equipment in Vehicles Overnight

Many inland marine policies exclude theft from unattended vehicles. Options:

Secure storage requirement
Attended vehicle only coverage
Pay additional premium for overnight coverage
Use enclosed, locked trailers

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need insurance if I'm just starting out part-time?

Yes. Even solo operators need general liability. One property damage claim can bankrupt you. Minimum coverage: $1M general liability.

What if I only use my personal truck for landscaping?

Personal auto insurance excludes business use. You need commercial auto insurance even for one vehicle used for business.

Does general liability cover damage from my equipment?

Yes, GL covers property damage you cause to others. However, it doesn't cover damage to YOUR equipment—you need inland marine coverage for that.

What if a client's dog bites me on their property?

This typically isn't covered by your insurance. The client's homeowners insurance should cover you. Consider requiring clients to restrain pets during service.

Do I need workers comp if I only use subcontractors?

Maybe. If subcontractors are uninsured, some states consider them your employees for workers comp purposes. Require certificates of insurance from all subcontractors.

What if I damage underground utilities even though I called 811?

You're still potentially liable even if utilities were mismarked. This is why having adequate GL coverage ($1M-$2M) is critical.

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Choosing Between Hartford and Chubb

Choose Hartford if:

You're a newer business (1-5 years)
Annual revenue under $3 million
Primarily residential services
Budget is primary concern
Standard coverage limits adequate
Regional or local operations

Choose Chubb if:

Established business (5+ years)
Commercial property focus
High-end residential clients
Multi-state operations
Need higher liability limits ($5M+)
Claims service quality justifies premium
Comprehensive equipment values ($500K+)

Consider Both:

Many landscapers request quotes from Hartford, Chubb, and 2-3 regional carriers. Premium differences of 35-55% are common for similar coverage.

Seasonal Considerations

Peak Season Coverage

Most landscaping businesses generate 70-80% of revenue April-October:

Ensure adequate business interruption coverage
Verify seasonal workers included in workers comp
Increase equipment coverage for seasonal purchases
Review auto coverage for additional vehicles

Winter Services

Snow removal adds significant liability:

Requires separate GL endorsement or policy
Much higher premiums (75-150% surcharge)
Higher liability limits recommended ($2M-$5M)
Slip-and-fall claims can exceed $100K
Commercial property clients require $2M+ limits

Off-Season Planning

Some carriers offer pay-as-you-go workers comp (saves cash flow)
Lay-up credit on commercial auto (if vehicles unused)
Review equipment security during storage
Update equipment values annually
Consider umbrella policy for increased protection

Sources

National Association of Landscape Professionals - Industry Statistics, https://www.landscapeprofessionals.org
Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Landscaping Safety, https://www.osha.gov
National Council on Compensation Insurance - Classification Guide, https://www.ncci.com
Insurance Information Institute - Small Business Insurance, https://www.iii.org
Hartford Insurance - Contractors Insurance Programs
Chubb Limited - Contractor Business Insurance