Business owners needing insurance for a landscaping business typically look for a provider with high limits, responsive claim services, and fast turnarounds on certificates of insurance (COIs). Using our proprietary rubric focusing on financial stability, customer service, convenience, and the policies offered, we evaluated 18 providers to determine the six best landscaping insurance companies:
- The Hartford: Best overall provider for landscaping insurance
- Simply Business: Best for comparing quotes and buying insurance online
- Next Insurance: Best for landscaping contractors
- Insurance Canopy: Best for simple and affordable insurance
- Hiscox: Best for new lawn care businesses
- Progressive: Best for landscaping companies with trucks
Best Landscapers Insurance Companies Compared
Quote Process | Policy Purchase Process | Accessibility | Instant COI | Financial Rating | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Hartford | Online or over the phone | Usually over the phone | 24/7 call center | ✓ | A+ (Superior) |
Simply Business | Online or over the phone | Online or over the phone | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time | - | A- (Excellent) to A++ (Superior) |
Next | Online quote | Online or over the phone | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, or online | ✓ | A- (Excellent) |
Insurance Canopy | Online or over the phone | Online or over the phone | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain time | ✓ | A+ (Superior) |
Hiscox | Online or over the phone | Online or over the phone | Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, or online | ✓ | A (Excellent) |
Progressive | Online quote | Online quote | 24/7 call center | Unclear process | A+ (Superior) |
The Hartford: Best Overall Provider for Landscaping Insurance
Pros
- Fast online quotes
- Instant access to policy documents
- 24/7 claims services
Cons
- Unavailable in Alaska and Hawaii
- Not all policies for landscape services have online quotes available
- No mobile app for managing your policy or claims
Standout Features
- Create an instant COI through the online portal
- Independent agents to help you with your policy
- Claims are handled in-house, directly by The Hartford
- Insurance available for a very wide range of landscape jobs
Financial stability: The Hartford has been insuring homes, businesses, and even colleges since 1810. It has maintained a strong financial position to handle claims, and AM Best rated The Hartford an A+ (Superior).
The Hartford offers insurance for landscape companies, lawn care services, arborists, and tree trimming companies. Its range of policies, along with the limits and the convenience of policy management, makes it the best overall provider for landscape insurance.
While it is a great option because it has nearly every type of small business insurance policy you could need, one potential downside is not being able to compare policies simultaneously. If you like to shop by comparison, then check out Simply Business, which is the only dedicated broker on this list.
The Hartford offers middle and large arborist businesses inland marine coverage that will cover wood chippers and cranes. This product stood out, as most providers will not cover tree work or have a cap of work no higher than 30 feet, but there is no online quote for it.
However, for landscape insurance, we received a quote for a business owner’s policy (BOP) for $241.75 monthly. This included $20,000 in property coverage with a $1,000 deductible. The general liability limits were $500,000 per occurrence and $1 million aggregate.
The provider also offers optional coverage for workmanship error—this helps repair or replace trees, shrubs, or lawns you damage while performing your job.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) keeps track of complaints filed with state departments of insurance. Complaints against the company are lower than the national average.
There are multiple ways to communicate with it about your policy and claims. You can work with your independent agent or contact The Hartford directly. Otherwise, you can manage your policy and get an instant COI online.
Simply Business: Best for Comparing Quotes and Buying Insurance Online
Pros
- Compare quotes online
- Tailor quotes in real time
- Purchase insurance online
Cons
- Customer service not 24/7
- Claims reporting process
- No commercial auto insurance
Standout Features
- Purchase insurance online any day of the week
- Online account portal to manage your policy
- Request COIs online
- Compare quotes from top-rated providers
Financial Stability: Simply Business works with multiple top-rated insurance providers with ratings that range from A- (Excellent) to A++ (Superior).
Simply Business is an online digital brokerage focused on helping small businesses find insurance. It works with 16 top-rated providers to generate real-time quotes that you can modify, and then Simply Business will update pricing. This lets you compare quotes from different providers so that you can find the right coverage at a price that matches your budget. After deciding, you can purchase the policy online or call and speak with a dedicated agent.
As a broker, Simply Business will give you some control over managing your policy. Ultimately, the policy will be serviced, including claims handling, by the provider. This, along with its claims reporting process, are two drawbacks of working with a broker. If you’d prefer to just work directly with a provider, Hiscox, Next, and The Hartford are all insurers that will work with the consumer and handle claims directly.
We received several quotes for a landscaper business in Pennsylvania. All policies were for general liability insurance with a limit of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. The most affordable policy costs $182 monthly.
Beyond general liability, Simply Business offers professional liability, tools and equipment, business owner’s, and workers’ compensation insurance. At this time, there is no option for commercial auto insurance.
Simply Business is available in all 50 states, and you can access your policy 24/7. Online, you can request a COI or call and speak with one of its representatives during its hours of operation. Its convenience shines in the fact that it is an online marketplace that lets you compare quotes before deciding on which policy is right for your business.
Simply Business has very favorable reviews from its customers. On the independent review site Trustpilot[1], it has 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 1,000 customers.
Next Insurance: Best for Landscaping Contractors
Pros
- Easy-to-use website
- Policy package options
- Online policy purchase
cons
- Does not offer commercial auto insurance
- No 24/7 call center
Standout Features
- User-friendly app for your policy and claim needs
- Tiered quotes give you options to find the right level of coverage
- Emphasis on the app and online experience gives you the ability to purchase insurance quickly
- Get an instant COI online or through app for businesses and municipalities
Financial stability: Next Insurance is the youngest insurance company in this review, having been founded in 2015. However, it has a strong financial position, as Next Insurance’s AM Best rating is A- (Excellent).
Landscaper contractors working with municipalities or subcontracting need to show proof of insurance and often must update the policy with additional insureds. Once the policy is updated, it is necessary to then show proof of the updated insurance. Through its website or app, Next Insurance offers unlimited, free, and instant COIs for your business. Changes can be made, and a new COI issued within seconds.
Unfortunately, it does not directly offer commercial auto insurance. If your business has a dedicated commercial vehicle, you’ll want to consider a provider like Progressive.
After entering your business information, Next Insurance offers landscaping insurance through three policy packages.
- Basic includes general liability and professional liability, with limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate and $25,000 per occurrence and $50,000 aggregate, respectively. This costs $523.71 monthly.
- Premier has the same liability offering as Basic but includes $5,000 in commercial property with a $500 deductible. It also has an additional $1,000 for miscellaneous tools and $5,000 for borrowed or rented tools. We recommend this package, and it only costs $568.26 monthly.
- Deluxe offers the same coverage as Premier with an additional $16,000 in office furniture and contents coverage. This package includes equipment breakdown and has miscellaneous other coverages, such as $2,500 for signs. It costs $657.97 monthly.
Next Insurance is available in 48 states. Complaints are lower than the national average.
In terms of convenience, the provider offers iOS and Android mobile apps. Through it, you can manage your policy, including coverage changes, and receive claim status updates. You can also have access to an instant COI—so, if you need to add an additional insured and show coverage for a job, you can do this nearly instantly on your phone.
Insurance Canopy: Best for Simple and Affordable Insurance
Pros
- Online account portal
- Affordable insurance
- Instant COIs
Cons
- Unavailable 24/7
- Need account to get insurance
- Available coverage limited to the program
Standout Features
- Fast and affordable policy available within ten minutes
- Superior financial rating of the provider
- Key insurance coverages with appropriate limits for industry available
- Easily file claims online and hear back quickly from carrier
Financial stability: Insurance Canopy is a brokerage working with The Great American Insurance Group (GAIG). AM Best’s rating of GAIG is A+ (Superior).
Insurance Canopy is a hybrid of an insurance provider and digital brokerage. It has created a number of different insurance programs for different industries, including lawn care and landscapers.
The program offers a few different types of insurance that are the most common ones you’ll need for your business. You can purchase a policy online and simply add coverage and limits from the options available. Within minutes, your business can be insured. This program is targeted toward businesses that offer lighter lawn care: landscape care, mowing, gutter cleaning, hedge trimming, and even hanging Christmas lights.
The biggest strength of Insurance Canopy is also its biggest weakness: it offers an insurance program with set coverage. If your business needs additional coverage, such as commercial auto for your chipper or workers’ comp for employees, you’ll need to check out a different provider. In a situation like that, we recommend either The Hartford or Progressive.
Insurance Canopy is an affordable option for high-limit liability policies. Policies start at $28 per month for liability with $500,000 per occurrence and $1 million aggregate limits. By adding coverages, like cyber liability and tools, and increasing limits to the absolute maximum for every coverage, the most you will pay is $118.25 monthly.
It offers $25,000 for tools and equipment per year and $2 million in general liability. It also offers $100,000 in cyber liability insurance.
Insurance Canopy offers insurance in all 50 states.
Its quote process convenience is in its simplicity. In less than 10 minutes, simply select a few different options from what it provides, and then purchase a policy. After purchasing, you have instant 24/7 access to all of your policy documents. You can manage your account online or by contacting it. If you wish to do so online, you can manage your policy, create and download a COI, and file a claim.
If you prefer to speak with someone, it is available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. MT.
Hiscox: Best for New Lawn Care Businesses
Pros
- Policies offered
- Online quotes
- Purchase same-day coverage online
Cons
- No dedicated 24/7 call center for claims
- Likely need to call for higher limits
- No commercial auto
Standout Features
- Easy and fast quote system
- Flexible payment options
- Easily add additional insureds to your COI online
- Instant access to your policy documents after purchase
Financial stability: Hiscox has a strong financial position. AM Best rated Hiscox an A (Excellent).
Small businesses insurer Hiscox offers landscape insurance for new and established businesses. Many providers do not want the risk of a business with no data to determine premiums, but Hiscox is willing to insure new businesses, whether they do residential or commercial lawn care work.
However, it does not offer a 24/7 call center, and while it is expanding the policies it offers, like having added workers’ comp recently, its coverage is still only limited to the core policies a business needs. If you’d like to stick with a provider but one that has the full range of policies you’d need and is available 24/7, then check out The Hartford.
We received a quote for general liability for $2,068 annually. The policy carried a limit of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
Hiscox has blanket additional insured language built into its general liability form, making it easier for you to work with businesses that need to be listed on your policy. It also offers flexible payment options with no added fees. For liability, aggregate limits up to $5 million per location and project are available. The higher limits are not available online, so you will need to speak directly with an agent to request it.
Over the past few years, complaints filed against Hiscox have been steadily declining. The most recent data from the NAIC shows that overall, its complaints are lower than expected, and this matches other sources. On Feefo[2], there are nearly 1,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.
Hiscox does not have 24/7 availability for claims, but you can file a claim online at any time. If it is an emergency, you will receive contact information after filing the claim to start moving things forward.
You can manage your policy, file a claim, and get an instant COI online.
Progressive Insurance: Best for Landscaping Companies With Trucks
Pros
- In-house claims services
- Available nationwide
- Years of experience
Cons
- No app for managing your policy
- Unclear process for getting a COI
- Higher-than-average complaints
Standout Features
- Roadside services and a national network of shops
- Progressive offers numerous discounts for auto and business insurance
- Appetite for all sizes and types of commercial vehicles
- Progressive will function like a brokerage to find coverage if unable to insure you
Financial stability: Progressive is financially stable and assessed to be in a position to handle claims for its policies. Progressive received an AM Best rating of A+ (Superior).
Progressive, the leading provider for commercial auto, is the best insurer for landscape companies with trucks or trailers they need to insure. It insures such a large part of the market because it has an appetite for all types and sizes of commercial vehicles, such as trailers, dump trucks, and winter service vehicles. It also offers discounts with business insurance if you have auto insurance with the company.
A downside to Progressive is that it sometimes will only offer auto insurance and not extend liability or commercial property insurance—though it will work with other carriers to try to place your business. If you’d prefer to just have a one-stop shop for auto and business needs, The Hartford offers commercial auto and all of the other policies your landscaping business will need.
Progressive sells commercial auto and business insurance. It also acts as a broker through Progressive Business Advantage and will find insurance for your business if it cannot meet your needs.
We were able to get a quote for a BOP insured by Progressive for $2,145 annually. This carried $20,000 in property and a liability limit of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
Progressive also offers many different ways to save on your insurance through its discount programs, such as savings for prior insurance or saving 15% if you pay your premium in full.
Progressive offers commercial auto insurance in all 50 states.
Complaints filed with the NAIC are average—meaning it is in line with what you would expect for a company of its size.
Progressive is available 24/7 for claim services and, if you select roadside assistance coverage, it will tow your commercial vehicle to the closest repair facility. Unfortunately, there is not much available information on its online policy management options, including how to obtain a COI.
How We Evaluated the Best Landscaping Insurance Companies
We determined the best landscapers insurance companies using our in-house proprietary evaluation system. In evaluating insurers, we focused on the customer’s needs. We paid particular interest to convenience, financial ratings (AM Best), customer service, types of policies offered, and the overall experience as a policyholder for a specific provider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Landscaping insurance is a combination of policies that protect your business from financial loss. A core policy for landscapers is general liability, which offers protection from claims of bodily injury and property damage by third parties. If you own equipment, inland marine or property insurance should be considered as well. For a more detailed answer, check out our rundown on landscaping insurance.
Quotes that we received for a BOP ranged from $1,895 to $7,895. A large part of the premium calculation for landscaping insurance companies is focused on the type of work you perform. For example, tree trimming services are inherently risky; so too are companies that use herbicides and pesticides.
Many landscape companies offer snow removal services in the winter. Depending on the provider and your business, you can obtain an endorsement for this business. Some companies, like Hiscox, offer coverage for snow-blowing and snow removal for its landscape policies. Before purchasing a policy, make sure you review it carefully and have communicated all of your business operations to the provider.
Bottom Line
When you are high in a tree, you want the peace of mind of knowing that if a branch lands on the expensive Porsche parked below, you have coverage from a reputable landscapers insurance company. The Hartford is the best overall provider for landscaping companies, offering policies for lawn care, landscape, and tree trimming services with healthy limits and immediate COIs available. In less than 10 minutes, you can have a custom quote for your landscape business.
User review references:
1Trustpilot | Simply Business
2Feefo | Hiscox