You’ve worked hard to build your lawn care business, but one accident or stolen mower could throw off your entire season. Insurance can protect you, but only if you know what kind of coverage you need.
TL;DR: General liability insurance covers accidents and injuries, while lawn care equipment insurance covers your mobile tools and equipment. Together, they protect your lawn care business.
How General Liability Insurance Works for Lawn Pros
Think of general liability insurance as your “oops” coverage. If your business operations accidentally cause damage or injuries to a third party, general liability helps cover the cost. This includes things like bodily injuries, property damage, and even
It covers:
- Damage to someone else’s property (like accidentally damaging a client’s garden statue)
- Injuries to customers or bystanders on the job (like if someone trips over your equipment on the job site)
- Legal defense costs if you get sued (like lawyer fees and settlements tied to common lawn care claims)
It doesn’t cover:
- Your tools, trailer, or machines
- Lawn care injuries sustained by you or your employees (you’ll need workers comp)
- Accidents involving ladders or off-the-ground work
How Trailer and Equipment Insurance Works for Lawn Pros
Trailer and equipment insurance (often called inland marine) protects the tools that keep your lawn care business moving. If your gear is ever stolen, damaged, or destroyed, this coverage helps you avoid paying out of pocket.
It covers:
- Utility trailers (must be detached to qualify for coverage)
- Lawn mowers (push, riding, and zero-turn)
- Lawn feed and fertilizer spreaders
- Weed eaters, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, aerators, and more
It doesn’t cover:
- Attached trailers or business vehicles (you’ll need commercial auto)
- Heavy machinery like tractors or bulldozers
- Damage from misuse, negligence, or natural disasters
Note: This coverage is designed for tools and equipment that travel with you, not items permanently installed in one location.
What General Liability and Lawn Care Equipment Covers
Here’s a quick side-by-side look at what general liability insurance and trailer and equipment insurance cover:
| Incident | General Liability Insurance | Trailer and Equipment Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Customer injury on the job site | ✅ | ❌ |
| Weed trimmer stolen from trailer | ❌ | ✅ |
| You break a client’s window | ✅ | ❌ |
| Your mower catches fire in the garage | ❌ | ✅ |
| Legal costs from a lawsuit | ✅ | ❌ |
Pro tip: Insurance policies vary, so review your terms and exclusions carefully. Explore your options further with our lawn care insurance guide.
General Liability vs Lawn Care Equipment Insurance: Which Coverage Do You Really Need?
Spoiler alert! Probably both. Since no two lawn care businesses are alike, your lawn care insurance should reflect your specific risks and budget. Naturally, your insurance costs will change as your business grows.
Here are some quick questions to help you assess what type of coverage you need:
- Do you work on customer property? If yes, you need general liability.
- Do you rely on tools, trailers, or machines to do your work? If yes, you need trailer and equipment insurance.
- Have landscaping clients ever asked you for a Certificate of Insurance (COI)? If yes, you need general liability.
- Could losing your equipment tomorrow stop you from earning income? If yes, you need trailer and equipment insurance.
3 Common Insurance Mistakes Lawn Professionals Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Even experienced lawn care professionals sometimes miss these simple (but costly) details. Be sure to watch out for:
Mistake 1: Thinking homeowner’s insurance covers business tools.
Reality: Most homeowners’ policies don’t protect work equipment.
Fix: Get dedicated equipment coverage to cover your mowers, blowers, and trimmers.
Mistake 2: Assuming general liability covers theft.
Reality: General liability only helps when your business causes a loss for somebody else — it won’t replace your stolen gear.
Fix: Add equipment insurance to cover theft, fire, and vandalism.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to update coverage as your business grows.
Reality: More jobs and tools mean bigger risks. Outdated policies can leave you underinsured.
Fix: Review your insurance every year. A quick check-in now can save a huge headache later.
Real-World Examples of Lawn Care Claims (These Actually Happen!)
Insurance is what saves your business when the unexpected happens. These are the types of claims we see all the time:
Flying rock, broken window
- You’re mowing a yard when a rock shoots out, shattering the customer’s glass door.
- What saves you? General liability insurance covers the repair.
Trailer theft at lunch
- During a job, you grab a quick lunch, come back, and your blower is gone from the trailer.
- What saves you? Lawn care equipment insurance replaces stolen gear, so you don’t have to miss out on jobs while you wait to replace it.
These aren’t “freak accidents.” They’re everyday risks in lawn care. With the right coverage, you can save money, time, and stress.
Protect Your Gear and Your Business — Get Covered Today!
Accidents and theft don’t wait for a convenient time. One day you’re mowing, the next you’re dealing with a broken window or a missing blower. The right insurance doesn’t just protect you — it keeps your entire business moving forward.
Insurance Canopy designs coverage specifically for lawn care pros — you get the protection you actually need, without paying for what you don’t. This is why so many landscaping professionals choose Insurance Canopy for tailored coverage.
Common Questions About General Liability vs Trailer and Equipment Insurance
Is General Liability Enough for a Lawn Care Business?
General liability is an excellent starting point (and many contracts require it), but it won’t help if your mower or blower is stolen or damaged.
If your tools are the backbone of your business — and they probably are — adding trailer and equipment insurance fills that gap.
Do I Need General Liability AND Equipment Insurance?
If you work on customer property and rely on expensive tools, yes — having both types keeps you covered. It saves you from paying thousands out of pocket after an accident, theft, or equipment disaster.
What’s the Best Insurance Bundle for Landscapers?
Most landscapers choose a bundle that combines general liability with trailer and equipment coverage.
Insurance Canopy makes it simple to add equipment protection — either when you first purchase your policy or later through your customer dashboard.
