Insurance for Landscapers in Rhode Island

Insurance is an expected business expense, but landscapers face unique risks. They work on and around the property of others. Plus, many of their activities increase risk of bodily injury. As a result, landscapers may need more than one type of insurance to protect them well. You should discuss your business’s needs with an independent insurance agency likes ours. At Cross Insurance, we work with over 100 insurance carriers, which means more options for our clients. With  offices based out of Rhode Island, we are available to answer your insurance questions.

How Much Does Insurance for Landscapers Cost in Rhode Island? 

What a business owner might pay to cover their landscaping business in Rhode Island can depend on a variety of factors. Some of these include the number of employees your business has, where your business is based out of, and the value of your equipment. Coverage limits will also determine your annual insurance costs. If your business has grown, you may want to think about increasing your coverage limits. Reach out to our local office in Rhode Island to request a quote based on the needs of your business.

General Liability for Landscapers 

Since your work occurs on someone else’s property, having general liability coverage is a smart idea. General liability coverage applies when you or your company negligently causes injury or property damage to a third party, such as a client. Some clients will require this coverage before they agree to work with you.

As an example, if you should trim a tree and the branch falls on a customer’s roof, this insurance coverage could help pay for costs associated with the roof damage.

Most policies also offer protection against personal and advertising injury. If you find yourself in a lawsuit for libel, slander, copyright infringement, or other related issues, your policy may buffer you from these costs. Be sure to review your policy carefully with an insurance agent to see what is and is not covered.

General liability coverage can also provide limited coverage for medical payments to certain third parties (not including employees, as employees require workers compensation coverage) who receive medical treatment for an injury caused by your negligence. The benefit of medical payments coverage is that it can sometimes be used to settle small claims quickly, without litigation. The accident must either occur on your premises or as a result of your business operations.

Commercial Auto Insurance for Rhode Island Landscapers

If you’re using your personal auto insurance to protect your vehicle while you’re conducting business, you’re risking a lot. Standard auto insurance policies usually exclude business coverage. A commercial auto insurance policy is designed to address business-related risks. These policies offer many of the same basic and optional coverages you’d find in a standard auto policy, but for business. Basic coverages include bodily injury and property damage liability, as well as chosen protections such as medical payments, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, comprehensive, and collision.

Commercial Property 

This coverage can protect your building and the equipment you use to operate your business. Some typical losses covered are theft and fire. Even if your business is home-based, homeowners’ insurance policies do not typically provide coverage for business equipment losses by flood or fire.

Is a BOP Right for Your Rhode Island Landscaping Business? 

A business owners policy, or BOP, is often a solution that makes sense for landscapers. It provides general liability coverage and protection for buildings and contents owned by your company, under one policy.

Policies vary greatly between providers. However, they often include business interruption insurance too. This provides compensation for your loss of income if it results from a covered peril that disrupts your business operation. Common perils usually include fire, explosion, wind damage, vandalism, and smoke damage. It can also include expenses for operating out of a temporary location.

If you’re interested in a BOP, give us a call or fill out our form here.

Pollution Liability Coverage 

Under Rhode Island law, those commercially applying pesticides must demonstrate financial responsibility. This includes sufficient pollution liability coverage to address completed operations and chemical or pollution contamination.

For example, a contamination event could be spraying a property while the homeowners’ windows are open, using improper chemicals, or leaving toxic containers on the property.

Workers’ Compensation 

If your landscaping company has any employees, you may be legally obligated to maintain workers’ compensation insurance. This coverage helps to provide compensation for medical expenses for employees who have work-related injuries or illnesses. It can also help to cover a portion of an employee’s lost wages if they are medically unable to work because of a covered injury or illness. If you have questions or would like additional information about workers’ compensation insurance for your landscaping company, contact your local agent today.

Recap 

As a landscaping business, general liability, commercial auto, and pollution liability are all insurance coverages that you should consider. If you have employees, you will likely need workers’ compensation coverage as well.
You’ve worked hard to grow your landscaping business – let us help you protect it properly. Give us a call, today!

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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.