When doing garden maintenance, many people ask themselves, do I need insurance to mow lawns? The truth is that the care of green areas has certain risks. Hiring professionals would be ideal. In that sense, lawn-mowing businesses should ensure that everything runs smoothly.
In the lawn care business, different situations may arise. Hiring a company with general liability insurance is ideal. Before hiring an individual, it is best to evaluate the scenarios, as the homeowner’s policy will most likely have certain limitations to this work.
Like many, a lawn care business owner will always be betting that the business will run smoothly. Insurance is the perfect way to cover any damage. It is so necessary for this type of activity that in some cities they are required.
What to Consider for Lawn Mowing Insurance?
Before you answer yes, I do need insurance to mow lawns, you should know what it is. It is a policy that protects your business, and a general liability policy is the most common cover for property damage and bodily injury if you are determined to be responsible for the occurrence.
Lawn maintenance protection should extend to commercial car and property insurance to cover equipment and lawn mowers. Consideration should be given to purchasing a business owner’s policy that combines general liability and commercial property insurance in the same package.
You do need lawn mower insurance. It is not to say that you need it because it is an activity full of hazards, but it does not mean there are no concerns for some incidents that may occur. Now, to have it, you must consider the following aspects:
Price of the insurance
Many insurance companies offer lawn care insurance quotes. When it is commercial, it is rated on different levels, each with a different price. The cost includes commercial auto insurance, general liability, business property policy, and worker’s compensation.
The first insurance you should compare is general liability insurance, and once you have it ready, continue with the one you want to combine. It is a good idea to compare insurance at every level.
Size of the business
The insurance price will also depend on the size of the lawn maintenance business. A business of about ten employees will need a small business insurance policy because they are functional. Remember that insurers only compensate you according to the total value of your business.
Evaluate the needs and risks
A lawn caretaker’s job is to spend time in yards owned by his or her clients. As such, he or she must imagine several scenarios that may arise and for which he or she must be accountable. That’s what lawn care insurance is for.
Think about accidental damage to other people and their property. For example, if you accidentally break the hazard system, you must deal with a complete and expensive repair or reinstallation. If you do not reach an agreement with the customer, you will face a lawsuit. To avoid that, there is a general liability policy.
Then there is employee injury and discrimination. Thanks to workers’ compensation insurance, the cost of workplace injury claims are covered. That includes medical bills and legal expenses.
Damage to or loss of commercial equipment it’s only covered by adding commercial, personal property coverage to general liability insurance. The tools of the trade are expensive, so it’s best to have them protected in case of theft or loss.
Choose a deductible you can afford
Most policies come with a deductible, the amount you have to contribute to the cost of a claim. Generally, the higher the deductible you choose, the less you will have to pay in premiums. Be sure to choose a deductible you can afford to pay at the time of a claim.
What can happen while mowing
Many things can happen while mowing your lawn. Insurance is the protection you have against any situation. It is good to take out insurance to repair the damage without spending more than the money the insurance dictates. Caretakers cannot control events such as:
- Spillage of gasoline or oil on the lawn by the mower used after a breakdown.
- The mower injures someone’s foot.
- You lose control of the mower while using it and hit the fence causing damage to the blades.
- The mower catches fire and burns part of the lawn.
- The mower blade picks up debris and throws it at a person or property.
Insurance companies underwrite the service as a form of protection not only for the person doing the work but also for third parties and the equipment used to perform the work. In that sense, it is absolutely essential to purchase lawn mowing insurance.
General liability insurance helps cover expenses for injuries or property damage to a third party caused by the lawn mower. It is the most basic insurance, but it covers and reimburses medical expenses, returns the value of property damaged during a service, and can be used for administrative costs and attorney’s fees in case of a lawsuit.