Starting a lawn care business is a rewarding and exciting endeavor—but it comes with challenges and risks, too. 

From your first day of business, you’re faced with potential liabilities. Equipment breakdowns, accidents on the job, and unexpected damages can disrupt your operations and affect your bottom line. 

The key to safeguarding your business and ensuring its long-term success is having the right lawn care insurance coverage.

In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of coverage available, explain what each one protects against, and help you make the best decision for your landscaping business. 

Whether you’re just starting or are looking to review your current policies, this post will help you get ready to secure your lawn care business against unforeseen risks.

Let’s dive in.

Do you need lawn care business insurance?

In short: Absolutely.

Insurance isn’t just a safety net; it’s an essential component of your business strategy. Here are some benefits of lawn care insurance:

Protect against liability

As a lawn care professional, you work on various properties, each with its unique challenges and potential hazards. 

If an accident happens—for example, you accidentally damage a client’s property or your equipment injures someone—you could be held liable. 

Liability insurance covers legal fees, medical costs, and damages, protecting your business from financial setbacks.

Cover your equipment

Your tools and equipment are the backbone of your business. Without them, you can’t deliver your services. 

Equipment insurance covers repair or replacement costs if your tools are damaged, lost, or stolen. This ensures minimal downtime and keeps your operations running smoothly.

Ensure compliance

Having insurance demonstrates to your clients that you are a responsible and professional business owner. 

Many clients, particularly commercial ones, may require proof of insurance before they agree to hire you. Insurance also ensures compliance with local regulations, which may mandate specific lawn insurance coverage for your business.

Please note that to fully comply with local regulations, you’ll need to apply for the proper business licenses and permits as well.

Get peace of mind

Running a business involves a multitude of risks. But insurance provides peace of mind and the knowledge that you have a financial safety net in place. 

This allows you to focus on growing your business and delivering excellent service to your clients without constantly worrying about potential setbacks and unforeseen costs. Plus, a certificate of insurance helps build trust between the homeowners you work with and your small business.

What types of insurance are necessary for your lawn care business?

Choosing the right landscaping insurance policies is vital for protecting your lawn care business from potential risks and ensuring its long-term success. Here are the essential types of insurance you should consider when getting started:

General liability insurance

General liability insurance protects you if an incident occurs on the job for which you are responsible. 

This coverage is crucial for any lawn care business because it covers many incidents, including property damage, bodily injury, and accidental injuries. 

For example, if you damage a client’s fence while mowing their lawn or if a customer trips over your equipment and is injured, general liability insurance can cover legal fees, medical expenses, and settlement costs. 

Without this coverage, you could face significant financial losses and potential lawsuits.

Workers’ compensation insurance

Workers’ comp insurance is required in some states and protects you if one of your employees sustains an injury during work. 

Lawn care involves physically demanding tasks, and injuries can happen despite taking all necessary precautions. 

Workers’ compensation insurance ensures that your employees receive the medical care and compensation they need—whether they slip and fall, sustain a back injury from lifting heavy equipment, or have an accident with a mower. 

This not only helps you comply with legal requirements but also demonstrates your commitment to your employees’ well-being, which can improve morale and reduce turnover.

Property insurance

Property insurance covers all the essential (and often expensive) equipment necessary for the successful operation of your business, from office computers to lawnmowers.

Lawn care businesses rely heavily on specialized tools and machinery, such as mowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers, which are costly to replace. 

Commercial property insurance protects your investment in these assets by covering repair or replacement costs if fire or vandalism leads to damaged, stolen, or destroyed assets. 

Additional office equipment coverage makes certain that your administrative operations can continue smoothly despite potential incidents.

Commercial auto insurance 

You should also have commercial auto insurance, as your employees will drive company trucks to transport necessary equipment to customers’ homes. 

Personal auto insurance policies typically do not cover business-use vehicles, so having commercial auto insurance is essential. This coverage protects your business vehicles from accidents, theft, and damage, and it also covers liability if your employee is at fault in an accident. 

By ensuring that you adequately insure your vehicles, you can avoid costly repairs and liability claims that could disrupt your business operations.

How much does lawn care business insurance cost?

The cost of landscaping insurance can vary widely based on several factors. These factors include the size of your business, the types of lawn care services you offer, where you’re located, and the specific coverages you need. 

Here’s a breakdown of the average insurance costs you might expect for the different policies we’ve outlined for your lawn care business. 

Please note that lawn care insurance costs will vary greatly depending on your insurance provider, policy limits, and location. These are only estimates to get started. We recommend doing your own research to confirm costs.

General liability insurance

General liability insurance typically costs between $400 and $600 per year for small lawn care businesses. 

This insurance covers bodily injury and property damage that your business might cause to others.

Workers’ compensation insurance

If you have employees, workers’ compensation insurance is essential. The cost can range from $2,000 to $3,000 annually, depending on your payroll and the nature of the work your employees perform. 

This insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job.

Property insurance

Property insurance, which covers your equipment and office space, generally costs between $500 and $1,000 per year. The exact price depends on the value of your equipment and property.

Commercial auto insurance

If your business uses vehicles to transport equipment and employees, commercial auto insurance is necessary. 

This insurance typically costs between $1,200 and $2,500 per year per vehicle, depending on factors like the type of vehicle, its usage, and the driving records of your employees.

Factors that influence costs

Several factors can influence the overall cost of your lawn care business insurance:

• Business size and revenue: Larger businesses with higher revenues generally pay more for insurance, as they have more to cover.
• Services offered: If you offer high-risk services like tree trimming or pesticide application, your insurance costs may be higher.
• Location: Insurance costs can vary by state due to different regulatory requirements and risk factors.
• Claims history: A history of frequent claims can increase your insurance premiums.

Ways to save on insurance

To manage your insurance costs effectively, you can:

• Bundle policies: Many insurers offer discounts if you purchase multiple policies from the same insurance company.
• Increase deductibles: Higher deductibles can lower your premiums, though this means you’ll pay more out-of-pocket if you need to file a claim.
• Implement safety measures: Demonstrating that your business follows strict safety protocols can reduce your insurance costs.

What other startup costs are involved in starting a lawn care business?

Starting a lawn care company involves more than just purchasing business equipment and obtaining insurance. You’re building a business from the ground up, so there are several components needed to ensure that your company runs smoothly and efficiently. 

Here are some of the key areas to focus on:

Software

Lawn care software can help you effectively manage all aspects of your business, from scheduling jobs to invoicing customers. A solid software solution will help with administrative and field-related tasks.

Manage your technicians’ schedules in one central place with comprehensive software solutions. (Source)

GorillaDesk’s lawn care software includes drag-and-drop scheduling and dispatching, automatic payment reminders and recurring invoices, a mobile-friendly customer portal, and professional-looking quote templates.

Find and plan for the fastest, most efficient routes with GorillaDesk. (Source)

Investing in high-quality software can also combat low productivity, poor customer communication, and manual invoicing and payment processes—ensuring that your initial operations run as smoothly as possible.

Equipment

Your lawn care business will require a variety of equipment, such as lawnmowers, trimmers, blowers, and edgers. High-quality, reliable equipment is essential to deliver professional services and minimize downtime due to breakdowns and maintenance. 

Additionally, you might need safety gear like gloves, goggles, and ear protection to ensure the safety of you and your employees. Depending on the size of your business, you can expect equipment to cost anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000.

Tools

Besides the major equipment, there are smaller tools that are just as important. You’ll need hand tools like pruners, shears, rakes, and shovels for detailed work and maintenance tasks. 

Investing in durable, high-quality tools can help you ensure that they last longer and perform better. The startup cost for tools will likely be between $200 and $500.

Marketing costs

Marketing is crucial for attracting new customers and growing your business. Initial marketing expenses include designing a logo, creating a website, and printing business cards and flyers. 

Digital marketing efforts, such as social media advertising, Google Ads, and search engine optimization, are also important for reaching a wider audience and establishing an online presence.

Depending on how much you feel comfortable with spending on marketing, promotions, and advertising, you can budget anywhere from $500 to $5,000 on these projects.

Training and certifications

Investing in proper training for yourself and your employees can improve the quality of your services and ensure that you meet safety standards. Certifications in areas like pesticide application or horticulture can also add credibility to your business and attract clients who value professional expertise.

Lawn care courses can vary from lawn care entrepreneurship to hands-on training classes. Depending on the length and subject matter of the course and the number of employees enrolled, certifications and training can cost anywhere between $50 and $500 per employee.

Office supplies

Running the administrative side of your business will require basic office supplies, such as a computer, a printer, a phone, and internet service. These tools are essential for managing customer records, scheduling appointments, and handling other back-end tasks.

Based on computer quality, you can likely fit your office supplies within a $1,000 startup budget.

Insure your landscaping company for lasting success

Starting and running a successful lawn care business requires careful planning and investment. From understanding the essential insurance types to managing various startup costs, each step is crucial for long-term success.

Ready to take the next step with your landscaping business? Start your 14-day free trial with GorillaDesk and discover how our software can help you grow faster and more efficiently.