Whether you are just starting your lawn service or lawn maintenance business or if you have been in the business for years, it is important that you purchase the right kind of insurance.  Some of the typical insurance policies you will need to buy to protect yourself and your company are general liability, commercial auto, and workers comp.

 

General liability for a lawn service or lawn maintenance company will protect you from being sued if you or one of your employees causes damage to someone else’s property or hurts someone during the course of your normal business operations.  You choose the amount of general liability coverage to be included in your policy, but in most cases $1,000,000 for each occurrence and $2,000,000 per policy period is required by certificate holders.  Liability limits above $1,000,000/$2,000,000 can usually be purchased less expensively through another type of policy called a liability umbrella. Some general liability policies will also cover your equipment. If not, you can purchase a separate policy called an equipment floater. The premium for your general liability will be based on the number of employees you have and/or your payroll.

 

It is important that all vehicles used in your lawn maintenance business are covered under a commercial auto policy, not a personal auto policy.  In fact, most personal auto policies specifically exclude losses incurred when a vehicle is used for business. Also, most personal auto policies typically have limited coverage for trailers.  The collision and comprehensive coverage on a commercial auto policy pays for damage to your company vehicles and trailers. A commercial auto policy also includes liability coverage to pay damage your vehicle does to someone else’s property.  There is bodily injury and property damage coverage to repair or replace damaged property and to pay the medical bills and lost wages for someone you may have hurt.  Finally there is personal injury protection (PIP) which is required by Florida law and medical payments to pay for injuries to your employees.   

 

Workers compensation is required by Florida law for any lawn service or lawn maintenance company that has employees. Workers comp will pay the medical bills, a portion of the lost wages, and possibly a rehabilitation benefit for an employee that is hurt on the job.  The business owner or principal can exclude themselves, and their payroll, from the workers comp policy.  The workers comp premium is based upon the lawn service/lawn maintenance company’s payroll.

 

We are Olson & DiNunzio Insurance Agency, a family owned full service independent insurance agency located in Naples, Florida. Our agency has been serving the business insurance needs of Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, and Estero business owners since 1992. As an independent insurance agency we represent more than 70 insurance companies, so we can match your individual business insurance needs with the company that will get you the best insurance value for your dollar.

 

Please call us today at (239) 596-6226 or click here     for a fast, free, and affordable lawn service/lawn maintenance business insurance quote.