Insurance for landscapers, from lawn care to hardscapes.
Landscaping covers a lot of ground, from weekly mowing to retaining walls and tree work, and insurance companies price each one differently. Tell us what you actually do, and we'll match you with carriers that write your kind of work.
- General liability and L&I bonds together
- Mowers, trailers and equipment covered
- Commercial auto for trucks and trailers
What landscaping contractor insurance covers, in plain English
Coverage, limits and exclusions vary by carrier and policy. Your policy documents are what decide a claim, and we walk you through them before you buy.
Do you need to register?
Landscape construction, like patios, retaining walls, fences and irrigation installs, generally requires contractor registration with L&I. Routine mowing and yard maintenance usually doesn't. L&I decides, so check with them if your work is mixed.
What L&I requires
General liability of at least $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or a $250,000 combined single limit, plus a contractor bond: $15,000 for specialty contractors or $30,000 for general contractors.
Damage at your clients' properties
General liability covers injury to other people and damage to their property, like a rock thrown by a mower through a window or a sprinkler line cut into a neighbor's yard.
Pesticides and herbicides
Applying pesticides or herbicides for hire needs a Washington State Department of Agriculture license. Many GL policies limit or exclude chemical drift and spraying, so tell us if you spray.
Tree trimming and removal
Tree work is rated much higher than lawn care, and some carriers won't write it at all. Say how much you do and how high you climb, so the policy actually covers it.
Mowers, trailers and tools
General liability doesn't cover your own equipment. An inland marine or contractor's equipment policy covers mowers, blowers and tools against theft and damage, on the trailer or at the job.
Trucks and trailers
A truck pulling a trailer full of equipment usually needs commercial auto. Many personal policies exclude business use.
Is this you?
- Lawn care and maintenance crews
- Landscape design and installation
- Hardscaping, patios and retaining walls
- Irrigation installers
- Snow removal in the off-season
Why Rhino
- General liability and L&I bonds together
- Mowers, trailers and equipment covered
- Commercial auto for trucks and trailers
- Help in English, Russian and Ukrainian
Have this ready
- UBI and L&I registration number, if you have one
- What you do: maintenance, installation, hardscape, tree work, spraying
- Annual revenue, payroll and number of crew members
- Your trucks, trailers and main equipment
Three steps, one agent
- 1
Tell us what you need
Use the form, call or text. It takes a couple of minutes.
- 2
We shop several carriers
You see real prices side by side, not one company's offer.
- 3
You're covered
Pick a plan and we handle the paperwork, ID cards and certificates.
Landscaping questions
Do I need to register with L&I to mow lawns?
Usually not for routine mowing and maintenance. Landscape construction, like walls, patios and irrigation installs, generally requires registration. Check with L&I if you do both.
Does general liability cover my mower and trailer?
No. GL covers damage to other people's property. Your own equipment needs an inland marine or contractor's equipment policy, and the trailer can go on your commercial auto.
I spray weed killer for clients. Am I covered?
Only if your policy includes it. Many GL policies limit or exclude pesticide and herbicide work. Tell us, and we'll quote a policy that covers it. You also need a WSDA license to spray for hire.
Do you insure tree trimming?
Yes, through carriers that write tree work. It costs more than lawn care, so tell us how much tree work you do and whether you do removals.
My crew uses their own trucks. Is my business covered?
Not automatically. Hired and non-owned auto coverage protects your business when employees drive their own vehicles for work. See commercial auto.
Ready when you are.
Talk to a licensed agent at (800) 700-9181, Mon–Fri 9am–6pm PT.