General Liability Insurance for Landscapers
Landscaping is hands-on, high-risk work. Every day, you’re using power tools, hauling gear, and working near homes and vehicles. If something goes wrong, you’re on the hook. General liability insurance protects you from paying out of pocket for accidents that could cost you clients or lead to lawsuits.
What Is General Liability Insurance for Landscapers?
General liability insurance covers third-party claims involving bodily injury, property damage, and personal or advertising injury. Whether you’re trimming hedges or building a retaining wall, accidents happen — and this policy helps pay for the fallout.
It only takes one claim to throw off your cash flow or even put your business at risk. General liability coverage gives you a financial backup plan so you can stay focused on your work and land the next job.
What Does It Cover?
General liability insurance is designed to cover expenses you’re legally responsible for when an accident involves a third party, like a client or a bystander. That can include medical bills, legal defense (attorney’s fees, court costs, and settlements), repair and replacement costs, and even lost wages.
General liability insurance applies to a wide range of landscaping activities, including:
- Lawn mowing and maintenance
- Landscaping
- Gardening
- Leaf raking
- Gutter cleaning
- Groundskeeping
- Small tree & shrub trimming from the ground
- Hanging Christmas lights
- Fertilizing (when no license is required for application)
- Weed-killing and prevention
- Thatching or aerating
- Planting flowers, small trees, and shrubs
- Interior landscaping
- Incidental sprinkler repair
- Hanging holiday lights
What Does It Not Cover?
This coverage is essential, but it doesn’t cover everything. Some common exclusions include:
- Design or architecture
- Handling infectious waste or hazardous materials
- Irrigation or sprinkler installation (only incidental damage repair allowed)
- Swimming pool, water feature, or pond installation/maintenance
- Retaining walls, land preservation, or erosion control
- Hardscaping
- Window washing (you’ll need a window washing policy for this)
- Exterior work over two stories
- Use or application of any pesticide or herbicide requiring a license
- Stump grinding or removal (you’ll need tree service insurance)
- Inspection, appraisal, or surveying
- Planning or designing land development (e.g., parks, recreational areas, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, commercial, industrial, or residential areas)
Tip: Always double-check what’s included in your policy before assuming you’re covered.
What Are the Coverage Limits?
Your coverage limits are the maximum amounts your general liability policy can pay out for different types of claims. With Insurance Canopy, landscapers get coverage built to handle the real risks of the job — from property damage to medical bills.
Maximum Landscaping Liability Insurance Limits
The most your policy will pay in a 12-month policy period for bodily injury and property damage claims that you become legally obligated to pay due to your business services.
$2,000,000
The maximum amount your policy will pay in a 12-month period for bodily injury and property damage claims that result from the products you use to perform your services. However, it does not cover products that are sold, or distributed.
$2,000,000
The maximum your policy will pay for a bodily injury or property damage claim that you become legally obligated to pay due to your business services.
$1,000,000
The amount that your policy will pay for claims arising out of one or more of the following offenses:
- False arrest, detention or imprisonment
- Malicious prosecution
- Wrongful eviction or wrongful entry
- Oral or written publications that slander or libels a person or organization
- Oral or written publication or material that violates a person’s right of privacy
- The use of another’s advertising idea in your advertisement
$1,000,000
Applies to damage by fire to premises rented to the insured and to damage regardless of cause to premises (including contents) occupied by the insured for 7 days or less.
$100,000
How it works: If a client sues you after tripping over a rake and the total medical and legal costs hit $12,000, your policy can pay up to $1,000,000 per occurrence. If you face multiple claims throughout the year, your general aggregate caps a maximum payout of $2,000,000 per policy term.
Why Landscapers Need General Liability Insurance
Landscaping work means you’re constantly on other people’s property — that comes with risk. Even if you’re careful, accidents can still happen. General liability coverage protects your business from getting blindsided by claims you didn’t see coming.
Clients also take insurance seriously. If you’re bidding on commercial jobs or working with homeowners associations (HOAs), they may require proof of insurance before hiring you. Having a policy in place shows you’re a professional who takes your work seriously.
Is It Legally Required?
Most states don’t require general liability insurance by law, but many clients and landlords will. If you rent a commercial space or bid on larger landscaping contracts, you’ll likely need to show a Certificate of Insurance (COI).
In some cities, you may also need general liability coverage to get a business license or permit. Having this policy helps you meet those requirements and shows that you’re running a legitimate operation.
Common Liability Risks Landscapers Face
Landscapers deal with a lot of moving parts — literally. Every day comes with a new set of risks that could lead to a claim. General liability insurance helps keep those risks from turning into expensive problems.
- If your mower throws debris and breaks a window or dents a car
- If a client trips over a tool or an uneven surface you just worked on
- If a tree limb you cut from the ground falls the wrong way and damages a fence or roof
- If your hedge trimmer or chainsaw malfunctions and injures someone nearby
Real Liability Claims Landscapers Face
Liability claims aren’t just rare accidents. They’re a part of the everyday risks of running a landscaping business. Here are real examples of how general liability insurance can step in and save your business:
While mowing near a driveway, a landscaper accidentally launched a rock that shattered a client’s car windshield. The client demanded payment for the $800 replacement. General liability insurance helped cover the repair and avoided a potential legal dispute.
A client tripped over an edger left on the lawn
A homeowner tripped over an edger that was temporarily set aside in the front yard and fractured their wrist. Medical bills totaled $6,400, and the landscaper also had to pay legal defense costs when the client threatened to sue. The insurance covered both.
Pesticide complaint leads to a doctor’s visit
A client reported skin irritation after the yard was treated with a fertilizer mix. They visited an urgent care clinic and sent the landscaper a $320 bill. The insurance policy covered the expense and prevented a formal complaint.
How Much Does Landscaper General Liability Insurance Cost?
Insurance Canopy offers general liability insurance for landscapers starting at $31 per month, or $336 per year.
The industry average is closer to $530 per year, depending on your services, location, and revenue. Insurance Canopy helps you lock in protection at a lower cost without skimping on coverage.
How to Get General Liability Insurance for Landscapers
Getting insured through Insurance Canopy is quick and hassle-free. Complete our brief online form with your business info, select your coverage, and get insured in minutes — no long wait times or phone calls required.
Once your payment goes through, you’ll get instant access to your policy documents and COI. You can log into your dashboard anytime to update details, download forms, or cancel coverage. It’s that simple!
How to Lower Your Risk of General Liability Claims (Best Practices)
Having general liability insurance is smart, but avoiding claims altogether is even smarter. Following best landscaping practices can prevent accidents, injuries, and property damage before they happen.
- Practice daily equipment inspections: Check all tools, machines, and vehicles before starting the day. Look for loose parts, leaks, or any signs of wear. Catching issues early helps prevent bigger problems on-site.
- Mark hazardous areas: Use signs, tape, or barriers to block off dangerous zones like open trenches, irrigation holes, or uneven ground. This helps prevent clients or bystanders from accidentally entering active workspaces.
- Observe proper use and storage of chemicals: Store fertilizers, weed killers, and other chemicals in clearly labeled containers. Only trained workers should handle these materials, and always follow label instructions.
- Implement safety training for all crew members: Train your team to properly handle equipment, lift heavy materials, and respond to emergencies. Keeping everyone on the same page reduces the chances of injury or error.
- Use cones or barriers when working in public areas: If you’re working near roads, sidewalks, or parking lots, use cones or temporary fencing to block off the area. This alerts pedestrians and vehicles to stay clear.
Additional Coverage Landscaping Businesses May Need
Landscapers take on more than just lawns — you manage crews, haul gear, and move between job sites. To stay protected, add coverage that matches how you work. These policies help cover the gaps that general liability insurance can’t.
- Trailer and equipment insurance: Covers tools, equipment, and detached trailers if they’re stolen or damaged
- Workers compensation: Pays for medical bills and lost wages if an employee gets injured on the job
- Commercial auto insurance: Covers business-owned vehicles used to transport crew or equipment between job sites
- Landscaping bond: Covers dishonest acts like employee theft and helps you meet client or city contract requirements
- Cyber liability insurance: Protects your business if you experience a cyberattack or data breach
Common Questions Landscapers Have About General Liability Insurance
How fast can I get a COI for a new landscaping contract?
You can download your COI instantly after you purchase a policy with Insurance Canopy. Log in to your dashboard anytime to access or share your certificate — perfect for meeting HOA or city contract deadlines!
How do I file a general liability insurance claim as a landscaper?
Log in to your dashboard and submit a claim form with the incident details. Include photos, receipts, and witness info if available.
A claims adjuster will review your case, investigate if needed, and determine coverage and payout. You’ll get updates throughout the process.
Does general liability insurance cover landscaping mistakes or poor workmanship?
No, general liability doesn’t cover faulty work or unhappy clients. It only applies when your work causes third-party injury or property damage.
For example, if a tree you trimmed falls and damages a car, you’re likely covered. If the trim job just looks bad, you’re not.
Cover Your Grounds With General Liability Insurance
You can’t predict every accident, but you can be ready for them. General liability insurance helps keep your business on track when something goes wrong, so you can finish the job and keep your schedule (and income) intact.
