New York Landscaping Insurance
Get Coverage for Your Landscaping Business
Certificates of insurance, equipment coverage, and competitive rates for landscape contractors of all sizes.
Why Insurance Matters for Landscaping Businesses
Landscaping work involves operating heavy equipment on customer properties, working near structures and utilities, and managing seasonal risks that change throughout the year. Many commercial and residential property management contracts require proof of insurance before awarding work. In New York, businesses with employees must carry Workers' Compensation and Disability Benefits coverage.
Your landscaping business transforms properties and creates outdoor spaces people enjoy—but each job comes with risks. A mower throwing a rock through a window, a crew member injured operating a chipper, equipment stolen from a trailer overnight, or a slip-and-fall on a property you recently plowed can all lead to costly claims. Without proper coverage, a single incident could drain your business finances and put your livelihood at risk.
The Stan Steele Agency can help you explore insurance options designed for landscaping businesses—from solo lawn care operators to full-service landscape companies with multiple crews, trucks, and specialized equipment. We work with carriers experienced in landscaping risks to present coverage options that may fit your needs.
What Is Landscaping Insurance?
Landscaping insurance is a combination of commercial insurance coverages designed to address the specific risks faced by lawn care and landscape contractors. Because landscaping businesses face diverse exposures—from property damage caused by equipment to employee injuries to chemical application risks—no single policy covers everything.
A well-structured landscaping insurance program typically includes several coverage types working together. The exact coverages you need depend on the services you offer (mowing, hardscaping, tree work, irrigation, snow removal, chemical application), the size of your operation, and the types of clients you serve.
Core Coverage Components for Landscapers:
Liability Coverages:
- •General liability (premises & operations)
- •Products & completed operations
- •Pollution liability (pesticide/herbicide application)
- •Commercial umbrella / excess liability
Property & Other Coverages:
- •Workers' compensation
- •Commercial auto & trailer coverage
- •Inland marine (equipment & tools)
- •Business property / shop coverage
Essential Coverage Types for Landscaping Businesses
General Liability Insurance
The cornerstone of any landscaping insurance program. General liability covers claims of bodily injury or property damage arising from your operations. Common landscaping claims include a mower throwing debris that damages a vehicle or window, a tree limb falling on a structure during removal, irrigation work that causes water damage, or a visitor tripping over your equipment on a jobsite.
Standard limits are $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate. Many commercial property management companies require these minimum limits.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Landscaping businesses rely on trucks, vans, and trailers to transport crews, equipment, and materials. Commercial auto coverage protects against liability from vehicle accidents as well as physical damage to your vehicles. This includes trucks, dump trucks, utility trailers, and enclosed equipment trailers.
Personal auto policies typically exclude vehicles used for business purposes. If an employee has an accident while driving a company truck, commercial auto coverage responds.
Inland Marine / Equipment Coverage
Your mowers, trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, skid steers, and other equipment represent a significant investment. Inland marine coverage protects this equipment against theft, damage, and vandalism—whether stored at your shop, loaded on a trailer, or at a customer's property. Some policies also cover equipment breakdown.
Important: General liability does not cover your own equipment. Without inland marine coverage, stolen or damaged equipment comes out of your pocket. Learn more about inland marine coverage
Workers' Compensation
Mandatory in New York for businesses with employees. Landscaping involves physical labor with significant injury risks—from cuts and lacerations to heat-related illness to back injuries from repetitive lifting. Workers' comp covers medical expenses and lost wages for injured employees.
Landscaping operations typically fall under workers' comp codes 0042 (landscape gardening) or 9102 (lawn care services). Learn more about NY Workers' Comp
Pollution Liability
If your business applies pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or other chemicals, standard general liability policies may exclude related claims. Pollution liability coverage addresses claims arising from chemical application—such as drift onto neighboring properties, groundwater contamination, or damage to non-target plants. In New York, certified pesticide applicators may be required to carry this coverage.
Commercial Umbrella / Excess Liability
Provides additional liability limits above your general liability and commercial auto policies. For landscapers performing tree work, snow removal, or operating heavy equipment, an umbrella policy offers an extra layer of protection against catastrophic claims that exceed your primary policy limits.
What Is Typically Covered vs. Common Exclusions
Typically Covered
- ✓Property damage from operations
Broken windows, damaged vehicles, irrigation leaks, tree damage
- ✓Third-party bodily injury
Injuries to customers or bystanders from your operations
- ✓Employee work injuries
Medical costs and lost wages via workers' compensation
- ✓Equipment theft and damage
Mowers, trimmers, trailers, and tools via inland marine
- ✓Vehicle accidents
Liability and physical damage for trucks and trailers
- ✓Completed operations
Claims from work already completed (retaining wall failure, etc.)
Common Exclusions
- ✗Pollution from chemicals
Pesticide/herbicide damage often excluded without pollution coverage
- ✗Damage to your own work
Cost to redo defective landscaping or hardscaping
- ✗Underground utility damage
May be excluded or limited; call 811 before digging
- ✗Professional design errors
Landscape design errors may require professional liability
- ✗Wear and tear on equipment
Normal depreciation and mechanical breakdown (may be added)
- ✗Contractual guarantees
Plant survival warranties or guaranteed results
Ready to Protect Your Landscaping Business?
We can help you explore coverage options for lawn care, tree service, hardscaping, snow removal, and more.
Seasonal Considerations for NY Landscapers
Many New York landscaping businesses operate seasonally or expand their services throughout the year. Your insurance program should reflect these changing operations:
Spring & Summer
- • Lawn mowing and maintenance
- • Planting and garden installation
- • Irrigation system installation and repair
- • Hardscaping (patios, retaining walls)
- • Chemical application (fertilizer, weed control)
- • Tree trimming and removal
Peak season with maximum employees, vehicles, and equipment in use. Payroll and revenue audits typically capture this period.
Fall & Winter
- • Fall cleanup and leaf removal
- • Snow plowing and removal
- • Ice management and salting
- • Holiday lighting installation
- • Equipment maintenance and storage
- • Winter pruning
Snow removal creates significant slip-and-fall liability exposure. Ensure your policy addresses winter operations.
Snow Removal: A Critical Coverage Consideration
Snow removal operations create significant liability exposure from slip-and-fall claims on properties you service. Some general liability policies include snow removal, while others require a specific endorsement or may exclude it entirely. Slip-and-fall lawsuits can result in substantial claims—make sure your policy specifically addresses snow and ice management operations, and consider your contract language carefully.
Coverage Considerations by Service Type
Lawn Care & Maintenance
- • Flying debris from mowing operations
- • Property damage from equipment
- • Slip/trip hazards on maintained properties
- • Chemical application liability
Generally the lowest-risk landscaping operations. Good starting point for new businesses.
Hardscaping & Installation
- • Retaining wall failure claims
- • Excavation and grading risks
- • Underground utility strikes
- • Completed operations exposure
Higher completed operations exposure. Structural work may require additional endorsements.
Tree Service
- • Falling tree/limb damage
- • Worker fall injuries (Scaffold Law)
- • Stump grinding property damage
- • Higher workers' comp rates
Highest-risk landscaping activity. Separate classification codes and higher premiums apply.
What Affects Landscaping Insurance Costs?
Services Offered
Basic lawn mowing is the least expensive to insure. Adding services like tree removal, snow plowing, hardscaping, or chemical application increases your risk profile and premiums. Each service type may carry its own classification code and rate.
Revenue & Payroll
General liability is typically rated on revenue, while workers' compensation is based on payroll. Annual audits verify these figures, so accurate reporting upfront helps avoid surprises at audit time.
Equipment Value
The total value of your equipment directly affects inland marine premiums. Commercial mowers, skid steers, compact loaders, and specialized tools can represent tens of thousands of dollars in insured value.
Claims History
A clean loss history is one of the most effective ways to keep premiums manageable. Frequent claims—even small ones—signal higher risk to insurers and result in higher rates or difficulty finding coverage.
Strategies That May Help Reduce Premiums:
- ✓ Implement documented safety training for crew members
- ✓ Maintain equipment properly and keep maintenance records
- ✓ Secure equipment with locks, GPS tracking, and proper storage
- ✓ Call 811 before every digging project
- ✓ Bundle coverages with one carrier for potential discounts
- ✓ Maintain proper licensing and certifications
Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping Insurance
What insurance do landscapers need in New York?
Landscaping businesses in New York typically need general liability insurance, commercial auto coverage, workers' compensation (mandatory with employees), inland marine/equipment coverage, and a commercial umbrella policy. Businesses that apply pesticides or herbicides may also need pollution liability coverage.
How much does landscaping insurance cost?
Landscaping insurance costs vary based on revenue, number of employees, services offered, equipment value, and claims history. General liability for a small lawn care operation may start around $800 to $2,000 annually, while comprehensive programs for larger operations with tree services or snow removal will be higher. The best approach is to request quotes based on your specific operations.
Does landscaping insurance cover snow removal?
Snow removal operations may require special attention in your insurance program. Some general liability policies include snow removal, while others require an endorsement or separate coverage. Slip-and-fall claims from plowed properties are a significant exposure—discuss your snow removal operations specifically with your agent.
Do I need insurance to apply pesticides or herbicides?
In New York, pesticide applicators must be certified by the DEC and are required to carry liability insurance. Standard general liability policies often exclude pollution-related claims, including pesticide and herbicide application. A separate pollution liability policy or endorsement may be necessary.
Is my landscaping equipment covered by general liability?
No. General liability covers damage you cause to others, not damage to your own property. To protect your mowers, trimmers, trailers, and other equipment, you need inland marine (contractors equipment) coverage. This covers your equipment against theft, damage, and vandalism at jobsites, in transit, and at your shop.
Do I need commercial auto insurance for my landscaping trucks?
Yes. Vehicles used for business purposes—including trucks, trailers, and any vehicle that transports equipment or employees—generally need commercial auto coverage. Personal auto policies typically exclude vehicles used for business purposes and may deny claims if a business use is involved.
What if a tree I remove falls on a neighbor's property?
This type of claim would typically fall under your general liability (premises and operations) coverage. If a tree you are removing falls and damages an adjacent property, your general liability may cover the property damage claim. Tree removal is considered a higher-risk activity, so discuss your tree service operations with your agent to ensure proper coverage.
Related Coverage for Landscaping Businesses
Landscaping insurance works alongside other coverages to provide broader protection:
Workers' Compensation
Mandatory for NY businesses with employees. Covers work-related injuries.
Inland Marine
Dedicated coverage for equipment, tools, and materials at jobsites and in transit.
Commercial Auto
Coverage for trucks, trailers, and vehicles used in your landscaping business.
Snow Plowing Insurance
Specialized coverage for snow removal and ice management operations.
Important Information
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice or policy recommendations. Coverage features described are examples and may not be available in all policies or from all carriers. Actual coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, and exclusions of the policy as issued. Please consult with a licensed insurance professional to discuss your specific coverage needs and options. Stan Steele Agency is licensed in New York State.
Protect Your Landscaping Business Today
From basic lawn care to full-service landscape operations, the Stan Steele Agency can help you explore insurance options that may fit your business needs and budget.
How We Can Help:
- ✓ Certificates of insurance for your contracts
- ✓ Equipment and tools coverage
- ✓ Snow removal coverage options
- ✓ Multiple carrier options for competitive rates
- ✓ Pollution liability for chemical applicators
Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM EST • Serving NY landscaping businesses since 1969
