How much does insurance cost for landscaping businesses?

Landscaping businesses pay a median premium of about $45 per month, or $530 per year, for general liability insurance. This policy provides protection for client injuries and property damage, along with advertising injuries.

Insureon’s licensed agents typically recommend a business owner’s policy over a standalone general liability policy. A BOP combines general liability insurance with commercial property insurance to protect your landscaping business property, and costs less than purchasing each policy separately.

Among landscaping businesses that purchase general liability with Insureon, 68% pay between $400 and $800 per year. Larger businesses with more customers tend to pay more for this policy, as the risk of a customer accident increases.

Policy limits determine how much your insurer will pay on covered claims. A per-occurrence limit is the maximum your insurer will pay for a single incident, while an aggregate limit is the maximum your insurer will pay on any claims during your policy period, typically one year.

Most landscaping businesses (98%) choose general liability policies with a $1 million per-occurrence limit and a $2 million aggregate limit. As your small business grows, you may need to expand your policy limits. Higher limits cost more – and provide better coverage.

Businesses with large premises, such as a commercial tree service company, typically pay more for general liability insurance than smaller businesses like a landscape designer. Your industry risk, building maintenance, years in operation, and your location will also affect your premium.

The annual median cost for a tree service company is $1,650, while the median for a landscape designer is $507 – or less than $45 a month. As you can see, the cost can vary significantly across professions.

Learn how to save money on your policy, which coverage limits to choose, and more on Insureon's general liability insurance cost analysis page.

Landscaping businesses pay a median premium of about $150 per month, or $1,810 per year, for commercial auto insurance. This policy can pay for third-party property damage and medical bills in an accident, along with vehicle theft, weather damage, and vandalism.

Businesses with company-owned vehicles, such as tree trimming trucks or a lawn care company’s pickups, must purchase commercial auto insurance. If employees drive their own vehicles, or leased or rented vehicles, you may need hired and non-owned auto insurance instead.

Among landscaping businesses that purchase commercial auto insurance with Insureon, 40% pay less than $1,500 per year and 41% pay between $1,500 and $3,000 per year.

Landscape designers pay a median premium of $245 per month, or $2,935 annually. In contrast, the median cost for irrigation businesses is $155 per month, or $1,855 annually.

The cost depends on the type and number of company vehicles, their use, employees' driving records, and your claims history.

Learn how coverage limits and other factors affect the cost of this policy on Insureon's commercial auto insurance cost analysis page.

The median premium for workers’ compensation insurance is about $230 per month or $2,770 per year for landscaping businesses. This is a key policy for landscapers, as physical labor means a higher risk of injury.

Most states require workers' comp for landscaping businesses with employees.

Even when it's not required, it's a good idea to buy this coverage, as it'll cover medical costs if you or an employee suffers a job injury. Health insurance plans often deny claims for work-related injuries, which is why even sole proprietors should consider workers' comp.

In addition to paying medical bills, this policy provides wages during the recovery period. For example, if an arboriculture employee breaks an arm while trimming a tree, it'll supply them with partial wages until they've recovered enough to return to work.

Among landscaping businesses that purchase workers’ compensation insurance with Insureon, 26% pay less than $1,500 per year and 27% pay between $1,500 and $3,000 per year.

The cost is determined by the number of employees and their occupational risk, among other factors.

Learn how workers' comp premiums are calculated and more on Insureon's workers' compensation insurance cost analysis page.

Landscaping businesses pay a median premium of less than $15 per month, or $170 per year, for contractor’s tools and equipment insurance.

A form of inland marine insurance, this policy helps pay for repair or replacement of a landscaper’s lost, stolen, or damaged equipment and tools. The cost varies depending on the value of your tools and equipment.

Most landscaping businesses choose contractor’s tools and equipment policies with a $5,000 limit.

Learn which coverage limits to choose and more on Insureon's contractor's tools and equipment insurance cost analysis page.

License and permit bonds are both types of surety bonds. Insureon's small business customers pay a median of $8 per month for a surety bond.

The cost of a surety bond is usually a small percentage of the total bond amount. Because the amount must be paid back, insurance companies will look at your credit score when determining the cost of a bond.

Learn more about bond costs on Insureon's surety bond cost analysis page.