Landscaping Contractor Insurance

Who this page is for

This page is for Virginia landscapers, lawn-care businesses and property-service contractors. Ford Agency works with smaller owner-operated businesses, established landscaping companies and operations that require a more specialized market review.

Typical landscaping operations

• Lawn mowing and routine property maintenance
• Landscape design and installation
• Planting, mulching and seasonal services
• Hardscape, drainage or irrigation work when disclosed
• Pesticide, herbicide or fertilizer application when disclosed
• Tree work or snow services when specifically described

Important differences within this trade

Two landscaping businesses can present very different exposures. Helpful distinctions include:

• Maintenance versus construction and hardscape work
• Pesticide, herbicide or fertilizer application
• Irrigation installation, trenching and drainage work
• Tree trimming, removal or work at height
• Snow plowing or ice-management services
• Trailers, mobile equipment and employee driving

Coverage conversations to have

General liability and completed work

General liability may respond to certain third-party bodily-injury or property-damage claims, subject to the policy. Flying debris, damage to customer property, completed drainage or irrigation work, and landscaping installations can create different exposures. General liability should not be treated as a warranty for faulty workmanship.

Commercial auto and trailers

Pickups, dump trucks, service vehicles and other work vehicles generally call for a commercial-auto discussion. Trailers should also be disclosed. The review should include drivers, vehicle use, operating radius, trailer values and whether the business hauls equipment, materials or property for others.

Mowers, tools and mobile equipment

Commercial mowers, skid steers, mini excavators, trenchers, compact loaders, blowers and hand tools may need inland marine or contractors-equipment coverage. Review where equipment travels, how it is stored, whether it is financed, and the cost to replace it.

Employees and workers’ compensation

Employee duties, payroll by class, machinery, lifting, chemical application, tree work and driving affect the workers’ compensation review. Virginia requirements depend on the facts, and subcontractor employees can affect the statutory count. Use the official Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission guidance for current rules.

Chemical application and pollution liability

Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, fuel, hydraulic fluid, runoff and accidental spills can create pollution exposures that may not be fully addressed by an ordinary general liability policy. Tell us whether chemicals are applied, stored or transported and whether the applicators hold any required licenses.

Tree work, snow services and other specialized operations

Tree trimming, tree removal, work near power lines, snow plowing and ice treatment can materially change market eligibility. These operations should be specifically disclosed rather than treated as incidental landscaping unless the insurer confirms otherwise.

Commercial umbrella

An umbrella may provide additional limits over scheduled underlying policies when required by a customer or appropriate for the operation. It does not automatically cover every exclusion or provide identical coverage over every underlying policy.

Subcontractors, certificates and written requirements

Keep written agreements and evidence of insurance from subcontractors. When a customer asks for additional insured, waiver of subrogation, primary-and-noncontributory wording or special limits, send the written requirement. A certificate is generally evidence of insurance and does not ordinarily amend a policy.

What to send Ford Agency

• A detailed description and percentage of each service
• Residential, commercial and municipal work percentages
• Annual sales, payroll and employee count
• Subcontracted cost, services subcontracted and risk-transfer practices
• Vehicle, driver and trailer information
• Schedules and values for mowers, tools and mobile equipment
• Details about chemicals, irrigation, hardscaping, tree work or snow services
• Current policies, recent loss runs and requested effective date
• Contracts, bid specifications or certificate requirements when available