Hey there, this is Jeremy from Ochsner Insurance. Now, this blog might not be about your everyday tools like mowers or hammers—but it is about a tool just as essential for your landscaping business: General Liability Insurance.
Let me ask you something—have you ever had a rock shoot out from under your mower and crack a customer’s window? What about a client tripping over a trimmer or other equipment you left out, then threatening to sue? These aren’t rare “what-ifs”—these kinds of accidents happen more often than you’d think in our line of work.
Let’s talk through some of the most common insurance claims landscapers face and how general liability coverage can help protect your business.
1. Property Damage from Flying Debris
A mower hits a rock, and that rock hits a window—now you’ve got an expensive repair. General liability insurance can step in to cover that cost.
2. Customer Injuries on Site
Imagine this: you’re trimming hedges, and the homeowner steps outside, trips over your blower, and breaks a wrist. Not only are you facing potential medical bills, but you could be on the hook for legal fees if they decide to sue. General liability insurance helps cover both.
3. Damage from Runaway Equipment
One landscaper told me about their trailer rolling down a hill and smashing into a fence. Accidents like that? Yep—general liability insurance again.
4. Chemical and Overspray Damage
Using fertilizers or pesticides? If that spray drifts into the neighbor’s prize-winning rose garden and destroys it, guess who’s responsible? General liability to the rescue—if you have the right coverage.
5. Accusations of Advertising Injury
This one surprises most landscapers: Let’s say a competitor accuses you of copying their slogan or branding. That can turn into a legal mess. Believe it or not, general liability insurance can also provide defense in these types of claims—depending on the policy.
Pro Tips for Landscape Business Owners:
- Have incident reports ready for any close calls—it’s smart risk management and great for training.
- Review your insurance policy regularly to make sure it covers what you think it does.
- Train your staff based on real-life near-misses so those “almost accidents” don’t become real claims.
If you’ve had a close call in the field, I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment below or shoot us a message.
Not sure if your policy covers the right stuff? Reach out to us—we’d be happy to walk through it with you and make sure you’re protected where it matters. Head over to our contractors’ insurance page, click here.
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more tips geared specifically for landscapers and landscape contractors. Next week, we’ll dig into more ways insurance protects your landscaping business when it counts. More videos are available on our YouTube channel.