Being in the landscaping business, you know how competitive and rewarding the field is. The years of hard work you have done to establish a strong customer base and reputation. However, many business owners do not realize how many risks landscaping companies must address to keep their business operating smoothly.
Depending on the complexity of your landscaping company, there are a few exposures to consider, including risks related to property, worker injuries and even the environment. We would like to provide a list as an overview of these top risks for landscaping companies, helping you identify potential bind spots in your risk management and landscape insurance program.
Landscaper Property Risks:
Property – includes your tool, equipment, supplies, signage and similar items – plays a key role for your organization. In the event of a loss caused by fires, theft or vandalism, your landscaping business could suffer major financial damages. Let’s say a fire broke out in your storage area, your business could lose thousands of dollars’ worth of lawn care equipment in an instant. A single incident can affect multiple aspects of your property, compounding costs and downtime for your business. 
Landscapers Equipment Breakdown:
As a landscaper, you depend on having functioning equipment to service your customers effectively. In a case of an equipment breakdown (i.e., a lawnmower stops working), you landscaping operations can experience business interruptions or even a prolonged closure. Your mowers, blowers, chainsaws and tillers all have the potential to break down, which could cause major disruptions that can impact your reputation and bottom line.
Auto Risks for Landscapers:
Depending on the services your landscaping business provides, employees may be required to operate a vehicle on behalf of your business, creating automobile exposures in the process. While this is important for daily operations (i.e., driving from job site to job site or transporting tools), the use of a vehicle can lead to potential accidents and major insurance claims. If you allow employees to use their own vehicles for work, a standard commercial auto insurance policy may not be enough.
Inland Marine Risks:
As a landscaper, your work regularly involves the transport of equipment, tools and supplies to and from your worksite. Your inland marine risks are vast and any property that is unique or valuable in transit, in your temporary care, stored at fixed (but movable) locations or used to transfer information represents major exposures. Especially for landscaping companies, materials and tools in transit mobile equipment (i.e., trimmers or weed whackers) and rented and leased equipment are all potential, costly losses following an incident.
Workers Compensation Insurance for You Landscaping Business:
Any time one of your employees is injured on the job, your business could be subjected to expensive workers compensation claims. Common sources on on-the-job accidents for landscapers include cuts, heat exhaustion, slips, trips, falls musculoskeletal injuries caused by repetitive tasks, sprains and strains. Normal everyday tasks related to trimming hedges, laying sod and pushing equipment can all lead to accidents and increased costs for your business.
Environmental Liability Risks:
During the course of their work, landscapers, open themselves up to serious environmental liability. Specifically, pesticides, herbicides and other fertilizers have the potential to pollute the environment. Environmental incidents are particularly concerning for businesses because they can cause harm to the surrounding community, involve costly cleanup and often cause damage to a business’ reputation.
Landscapers and Crime:
Crime can be a challenge for landscapers. Not only do they have to worry about expensive equipment and materials stored on the job site, but employee dishonesty is a primary concern as well. Your business can become victim of crime in a variety of scenarios, including when making orders, billing customers and leaving a job site unattended.
Find Out More From R.C. Keller & Company
While the proper risk management practices can reduce certain exposures, no system is 100% effective in ensuring an incident-free workplace. As a result, it is all the more crucial to work with a qualified insurance agent to not only assess your exposures, but secure the appropriate coverage as well.
To talk with one of our knowledgeable agents, contact R.C. Keller & Company today 847-907-4520. We have provided quality insurance to landscaping contractors in Schaumburg and the surrounding areas since 1910. We will tailor the specific insurance needs to your business and make sure there are no gaps.