Business owners who need insurance for a landscaping business typically look for an insurer with high limits, responsive claim services, and fast turnarounds on certificates of insurance (COIs). It is also important to find landscapers insurance companies willing to cover all the work involved in professional lawn care, including chemical treatments. Using our proprietary rubric, we evaluated 18 insurers to determine the six best landscaping insurance companies:
- The Hartford: Best landscaping insurance company
- Simply Business: Best for comparing quotes
- Next Insurance: Best for landscaping contractors
- Insurance Canopy: Best for cheapest lawn care insurance
- Hiscox: Best insurance for lawn care businesses
- Progressive: Best for landscaping companies with trucks
The Hartford: Overall Best Landscaping Insurance Company
Pros
- Fast online quotes
- Instant access to policy documents
- 24/7 claims services
Cons
- Unavailable in Alaska and Hawaii
- Not all policies for landscape services have online quotes
- Cannot compare quotes
Standout Features
- Lets you manage your account through The Hartford’s online portal and create an instant COI
- Offers inland marine insurance for middle and large arborists that covers wood chippers and cranes
- Doesn’t place a cap on height for tree work done by arborists and tree trimmers
- Offers workmanship error coverage, which helps repair or replace trees, shrubs, or lawns you damage while performing your job
Financial stability: The Hartford has been insuring homes, businesses, and even colleges since 1810. It has maintained a strong financial position to handle claims, and AM Best rated The Hartford an A+ (Superior).
Whether your landscaping business specializes in lawn care services, arborist and tree trimming, or general landscape work, The Hartford has insurance for you. Its range of policies, along with the limits and the convenience of policy management, make it the best landscaping insurance company.
While it is a great option because it has nearly every type of small business insurance policy you could need, one potential downside is not being able to compare policies simultaneously. If you like to shop by comparison, then check out Simply Business, which is the only dedicated broker on this list.
For landscape insurance, we received a quote for a business owner’s policy (BOP) for $241.75 monthly. This included $20,000 in property coverage with a $1,000 deductible. The general liability limits were $500,000 per occurrence and $1 million aggregate.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) tracks complaints filed with state departments of insurance. Complaints against the company are lower than the national average.
There are multiple ways to communicate with the company about your policy and claims. You can work with your independent agent or contact The Hartford directly. Otherwise, you can manage your policy and get an instant COI online.
Simply Business: Best for Comparing Quotes
Pros
- Compare quotes online
- Tailor quotes in real time
- Purchase insurance online
Cons
- Does not maintain a 24/7 call center for customer service or claims
- Cannot file claims directly with Simply Business
- No commercial auto insurance
Standout Features
- Enables you to purchase insurance online any day of the week
- Lets you compare quotes from top-rated providers (saving you money), modify coverage, and see updated costs in real time
- Allows you to request COIs online and find coverage for liability, workers’ comp, and equipment
Financial stability: Simply Business works with multiple top-rated insurance providers with ratings that range from A- (Excellent) to A++ (Superior).
Simply Business is an online digital brokerage helping small businesses find insurance. It works with 16 top-rated providers to generate real-time quotes that you can modify. You will then see updated pricing, meaning you can compare quotes from different providers to find the right coverage at a price that matches your budget. After deciding, you can purchase the policy online or call and speak with a dedicated agent.
As a broker, Simply Business will give you some control over managing your policy. Ultimately, however, the policy will be serviced, including claims handling, by the provider. This, along with its claims reporting process, are two drawbacks of working with a broker. If you’d prefer to just work directly with a provider, Hiscox, Next Insurance, and The Hartford are all insurers that will work with the consumer and handle claims directly.
We received several quotes for a landscaper business in Pennsylvania. All policies were for general liability insurance with a limit of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. The most affordable policy costs $182 monthly.
Beyond general liability, Simply Business offers professional liability, tools and equipment, BOP, and workers’ compensation insurance.
Simply Business is available in all 50 states, and you can access your policy 24/7. Online, you can request a COI. You can also call and speak with one of its representatives during its hours of operation. Its convenience shines because it is an online marketplace that lets you compare quotes before deciding on which policy is right for your business.
Simply Business has very favorable reviews from its customers. On the independent review site Trustpilot[1], it has 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 1,100 customers.
Next Insurance: Best for Landscaping Contractors
Pros
- Easy-to-use website
- Policy package options
- Online policy purchase
Cons
- Coverage options vary by state
- No 24/7 call center for claims or customer service
- Need to enter your email address to start a quote
Standout Features
- Has a user-friendly app on iOS or Android for your policy and claim needs
- Provides tiered quotes, giving you options to find the right level of coverage at a price that makes sense
- Places emphasis on the app and online experience, enabling you to purchase insurance quickly
- Offers an instant COI online or through the app for businesses and municipalities
Financial stability: Next Insurance is the youngest insurance company in this review, having been founded in 2015. However, it has a strong financial position, as Next Insurance’s AM Best rating is A- (Excellent).
If you’re a landscaping contractor who works with municipalities or often subcontracts, you’ll know how regularly you have to show proof of insurance or update your policy with additional insureds. Through its website or app, Next Insurance offers unlimited, free, and instant COIs for your business. You can make changes and generate a new COI within seconds.
Unfortunately, its commercial auto insurance offering is still new. If your business has a dedicated commercial vehicle, you’ll want to consider a provider like Progressive, an established insurer for commercial auto coverage.
After entering your business information, Next Insurance offers landscaping insurance through three policy packages.
- Basic includes general liability and professional liability, with limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate and $25,000 per occurrence and $50,000 aggregate, respectively. This costs $523.71 monthly.
- Premier has the same liability offering as Basic but includes $5,000 in commercial property with a $500 deductible. It also has an additional $1,000 for miscellaneous tools and $5,000 for borrowed or rented tools. We recommend this package, and it only costs $568.26 monthly.
- Deluxe offers the same coverage as Premier with an additional $16,000 in office furniture and contents coverage. This package includes equipment breakdown and has miscellaneous other coverages, such as $2,500 for signs. It costs $657.97 monthly.
Next Insurance is available in 48 states. Complaints received from customers are lower than the national average.
In terms of convenience, the provider offers iOS and Android mobile apps. Through the app, you can manage your policy, including coverage changes, and receive claim status updates. You also have access to an instant COI—so, if you need to add another insured and show coverage for a job, then you can do this nearly instantly on your phone.
Insurance Canopy: Best for Cheapest Lawn Care Insurance
Pros
- Available in all 50 states
- Affordable insurance
- Instant COIs
Cons
- Unavailable 24/7
- Account needed to get insurance
- Available coverage limited to the program
Standout Features
- Is affordable, with policies starting at $28 a month; even maxing out coverage brings the monthly cost to only $118
- Focuses on landscape care, mowing, gutter cleaning, hedge trimming, and even hanging Christmas lights
- Offers insurance for lawn care companies using fertilizer
- Lets you easily file claims online and hear back quickly from the carrier
Financial rating: Insurance Canopy is a brokerage working with Great American Insurance Group (GAIG). AM Best’s rating of GAIG is an A+ (Superior).
Insurance Canopy is a hybrid of an insurance provider and a digital brokerage. It has created a number of different insurance programs for varied industries, including for lawn care professionals and landscapers.
The program offers the most common types of insurance you’ll need for your business. You can purchase a policy online and add coverage and limits from the options available. Within minutes, you can insure your business. The policy it offers starts at just $28 a month.
However, Insurance Canopy’s biggest strength is also its biggest weakness: it offers an insurance program with set coverage. If your business needs additional coverage, such as commercial auto for your truck or inland marine for your woodchipper, you’ll need to check out a different provider, such as The Hartford or Progressive.
Insurance Canopy is a very affordable option for high-limit liability policies. Policies start at $28 per month for liability with $500,000 per occurrence and a limit of $1 million aggregate. By adding coverages, like cyber liability and tools, and increasing limits to the absolute maximum for every coverage, the most you will pay is $118.25 monthly.
The company offers $25,000 for tools and equipment per year and $2 million in general liability. It also offers $100,000 in cyber liability insurance.
The convenience of Insurance Canopy’s quote process is matched only by its simplicity. In less than 10 minutes, you can select a few different quoted options and then purchase a policy. After purchasing, you have instant 24/7 access to all of your policy documents. You can manage your policy, create and download a COI, and file a claim online, or you can contact Insurance Canopy directly.
If you prefer to speak with someone, their call center is available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. MT.
Hiscox: Best Insurance for Lawn Care Businesses
Pros
- Easy and fast quote system
- Flexible payment options
- Purchase same-day coverage online
Cons
- No dedicated 24/7 call center for claims
- Likely need to call for higher limits
- No commercial auto
Standout Features
- Has an appetite for businesses doing residential or commercial lawn care
- Covers new businesses with no history or past experience
- Lets you easily add additional insureds to your COI online
- Offers instant access to your policy documents after purchase
Financial stability: Hiscox has a strong financial position. AM Best rated Hiscox an A (Excellent).
Hiscox, a dedicated small businesses insurer, sells landscape insurance for new and established businesses. Many carriers do not want to take on the risk of a business with no existing data to help them determine premiums, but Hiscox is willing to.
Keep in mind that Hiscox does not offer a 24/7 call center, and while it is expanding the policies it offers (it recently added workers’ comp), its coverage is still only limited to the core policies a business needs. If you want to work with a provider with a full range of policies, plus 24/7 availability, then check out The Hartford.
We received a quote for general liability for $2,068 annually. The policy carried a limit of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
Hiscox builds blanket additional-insured language into its general liability form, making it easier for you to work with businesses that need to be listed on your policy. It also offers flexible payment options with no added fees.
For liability, aggregate limits of up to $5 million per location and project are available. However, quotes for higher limits are not available online, so you will need to speak directly with an agent to get the complete picture of cost.
Over the past few years, complaints filed against Hiscox were moving in the right direction. However, the most recent data from the NAIC shows that overall, complaints are on the rise. Other data shows customers continue to be pleased with the provider. For example, on the review site feefo[2], there are over 1,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.
You can file a claim online at any time. If the claim is an emergency, you will receive contact information after filing it to start the process. You can manage your policy, file a claim, and get an instant COI online.
Progressive Insurance: Best for Landscaping Companies With Trucks
Pros
- In-house claims services
- Available nationwide
- Years of experience
Cons
- No app for managing your policy
- Unclear process for getting a COI
- Higher-than-average complaints
Standout Features
- Offers roadside services and a national network of shops
- Providers numerous discounts for auto and business insurance
- Has an appetite for all sizes and types of commercial vehicles
- Functions like a brokerage to find coverage if it’s unable to insure you
Financial stability: Progressive is financially stable and assessed to be in a position to handle claims for its policies. Progressive received an AM Best rating of A+ (Superior).
Progressive is the leading provider for commercial auto and is the best insurer for landscape companies with trucks or trailers they need to protect. It occupies such a large part of the market because it has an appetite for all types and sizes of commercial vehicles, such as trailers, dump trucks, and winter service vehicles. It also offers discounts when you bundle business insurance with auto insurance.
At times, Progressive will only offer auto insurance and will not extend liability or commercial property insurance—though it will work with other carriers to try to place your business. If you prefer having a one-stop shop for auto and business needs, The Hartford offers commercial auto and all the other policies your landscaping business needs.
Progressive sells commercial auto and business insurance. It also acts as a broker through Progressive Business Advantage to help you find insurance for your business if it cannot meet your needs.
We received a quote for a BOP insured by Progressive for $2,145 annually. This carried $20,000 in property and a liability limit of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
Progressive also offers many different ways to save on your insurance through its discount programs, such as savings for prior insurance or saving 15% if you pay your premium in full.
The most recent data from the NAIC shows that complaints filed against Progressive commercial auto insurance are above the national average.
Progressive is available 24/7 for claim services, and if you select roadside assistance coverage, it will tow your commercial vehicle to the closest repair facility. Unfortunately, the company does not provide much information on its online policy management options, including how customers obtain a COI.
How We Evaluated the Best Landscaping Insurance Companies
We determined the best landscapers insurance companies using our in-house proprietary evaluation system. In evaluating insurers, we focused on the customer’s needs. We paid particular interest to convenience, financial ratings (AM Best), customer service, types of policies offered, and the overall experience as a policyholder for a specific provider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Landscaping insurance is a combination of policies that protect your business from financial loss. A core policy for landscapers is general liability, which offers protection from claims of bodily injury and property damage by third parties. If you own equipment, you should consider inland marine or property insurance as well. For a more detailed answer, check out our rundown on landscaping insurance.
Quotes we received for a BOP ranged from $1,895 to $7,895. A large part of the premium calculation for landscaping insurance companies focuses on the type of work you perform. For example, tree trimming services are inherently risky; so too are companies that use herbicides and pesticides.
Many landscape companies offer snow removal services in the winter. Depending on the provider and your business, you can obtain an endorsement for this business. Some companies, like Hiscox, offer coverage for snow-blowing and snow removal within its landscape policies. Before purchasing a policy, review it carefully and communicate all of your business operations details to the insurer.
Bottom Line
When you are high in a tree, you want the peace of mind of knowing that if a branch lands on the expensive Porsche parked below, you have coverage from a reputable landscapers insurance company. When we evaluated the top insurance companies for landscaping, The Hartford stood out. It is the best overall provider for landscaping companies, offering policies for lawn care, landscape, and tree trimming services with healthy limits and immediate COIs available. In less than 10 minutes, you can have a custom quote for your landscape business.
User review references:
[1]Trustpilot | Simply Business
[2]feefo | Hiscox Reviews
