How Much Does Landscaping Insurance Cost in Arkansas?
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Running a landscaping business in Arkansas means you’re constantly adapting. One week you’re maintaining residential lawns in Little Rock, the next you’re clearing storm debris after heavy rains in Fayetteville or dealing with waterlogged soil conditions in the Arkansas Delta. It’s hands-on, physical work—and it comes with real financial risk.
If you’re trying to figure out how much landscaping insurance costs in Arkansas, you’re already thinking ahead. At Wexford Insurance, we talk to landscaping business owners across the state who assume their risks are “basic”—until a property damage claim, employee injury, or vehicle accident proves otherwise.
Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU, founder of Wexford Insurance, puts it plainly: “Landscaping might seem straightforward, but from an insurance standpoint, it’s a combination of construction risk, auto exposure, and seasonal hazards—all rolled into one.”
In this guide, we’ll break down real-world cost ranges, Arkansas-specific regulations, and what actually drives your insurance pricing.
Average Cost of Landscaping Insurance in Arkansas
Most landscaping businesses need a combination of policies working together. Below are realistic estimated ranges we commonly see for Arkansas-based operations.
General liability insurance protects your business if you cause property damage or someone is injured as a result of your work.
Typical Cost: $60 to $170 per month
Annual Range: $750 to $2,000
At Wexford Insurance one of the most common claims we see involves property damage—cutting through sprinkler lines, damaging underground utilities, or breaking windows with mowing equipment. These claims happen more often than most contractors expect.
Workers’ compensation insurance covers employee injuries and lost wages.
Cost Per $100 Payroll: $1.70 to $4.00
Monthly Estimate: $170 to $800+
In Nate Jones’s experience as a former underwriting manager, landscaping businesses carry higher workers’ comp risk due to:
Power equipment injuries
Heat exhaustion in Arkansas summers
Slips and falls in wet conditions
Lifting and repetitive motion injuries
Commercial property insurance protects your physical location, storage yards, and equipment.
Monthly Cost: $90 to $260
Annual Range: $1,100 to $3,100
Even if you don’t own a building, this policy can extend to stored equipment, tools, and materials.
A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) bundles liability and property coverage into one policy.
Monthly Cost: $140 to $400
Annual Range: $1,700 to $4,800
For many landscaping companies, this is the most efficient way to structure coverage while controlling costs.
Inland marine insurance covers your tools and equipment while they’re being transported or used off-site.
Monthly Cost: $25 to $100
Given how often equipment moves between jobs, this coverage is essential for landscapers.
If you use trucks, trailers, or service vehicles, commercial auto insurance is required.
Monthly Cost: $140 to $360 per vehicle
At Wexford Insurance auto claims—especially backing accidents and trailer incidents—are one of the most frequent issues we see with landscaping contractors.
These are estimated ranges. Your actual cost will depend on your operations, claims history, and coverage limits.
What Factors Affect Landscaping Insurance Costs in Arkansas?
Insurance pricing is driven by risk—and Arkansas introduces several unique factors.
Business Size and Revenue
The more jobs you take on, the greater your exposure. Larger operations with multiple crews will pay more than solo operators.
Number of Employees
Your workers’ compensation insurance cost increases with your payroll. Landscaping is labor-intensive, which raises injury risk.
Arkansas Weather Patterns
Arkansas weather has a direct impact on insurance costs:
Heavy rainfall and flooding, especially in central and eastern regions
Severe thunderstorms and tornado activity
High humidity, which affects soil and equipment conditions
These factors increase both property and liability risks.
Claims History
A clean claims record can significantly reduce your premiums over time. Frequent claims—especially liability claims—make you a higher-risk business in the eyes of insurers.
Location Within Arkansas
Little Rock and Fort Smith → higher liability exposure due to population density
Rural areas → higher risk of theft or delayed emergency response
Type of Landscaping Services
Basic lawn care is lower risk than:
Tree trimming or removal
Hardscaping and excavation
Drainage work
Chemical or pesticide application
The broader your services, the higher your insurance cost.
Arkansas-Specific Insurance Requirements for Landscaping Businesses
Understanding Arkansas laws is critical for staying compliant and avoiding fines.
Workers’ Compensation Law (Arkansas Code § 11-9-401)
Arkansas requires workers’ compensation insurance if you have three or more employees.
Applies to full-time and part-time workers
Regulated by the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission
One of the most common mistakes Nate Jones CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU sees landscaping business owners make is assuming they don’t need workers’ comp until they grow larger—only to find out they were required to carry it earlier.
Licensing for Pesticide Application
If your landscaping business applies herbicides or pesticides, you may need licensing through the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.
This impacts:
Fertilization services
Weed control
Pest treatments
Improper application can also create liability exposure and environmental claims.
OSHA Safety Requirements
Landscaping businesses must follow OSHA regulations related to:
Equipment use
Worker safety
Hazard communication
Failure to comply can increase your risk of claims and fines.
Storm and Environmental Risk Exposure
Arkansas experiences frequent severe weather events, including:
Tornadoes
Flash flooding
Strong winds
These risks affect property insurance rates and may require higher coverage limits in certain regions.
Minimum Coverage Expectations
While not legally required in every case, most landscaping companies carry:
$1M per occurrence
$2M aggregate
These limits are often required for commercial and municipal contracts.
How to Lower Your Landscaping Insurance Costs in Arkansas
Insurance costs are manageable if you take a proactive approach.
Bundle policies into a BOP
This reduces total premium and simplifies coverage.
Invest in employee safety training
Fewer injuries lower workers’ comp costs over time.
Document your work and job sites
Photos and records can help defend against liability claims.
Maintain equipment regularly
Prevents breakdowns and reduces accident risk.
Increase deductibles strategically
Only if you can handle out-of-pocket costs.
Avoid frequent small claims
Preserving your claims history improves long-term pricing.
Work with an independent agency like Wexford Insurance
We shop multiple carriers to find better options.
FAQ: Landscaping Insurance in Arkansas
Is landscaping insurance required by law in Arkansas?
Workers’ compensation is required if you have three or more employees. Other insurance policies are not legally required but are often necessary for contracts and financial protection.
Why is landscaping insurance cheaper in Arkansas compared to other states?
Arkansas generally has lower labor costs and lower litigation risk compared to states like California or New York, which helps keep premiums more affordable.
Do I need insurance for tree removal services?
Yes. Tree work significantly increases your risk profile. Many insurance carriers require additional underwriting or higher premiums for this type of work.
What happens if I operate without insurance?
You risk paying out of pocket for injuries, property damage, and lawsuits. You could also lose contracts or face penalties for not carrying required workers’ compensation.
Can I get insurance as a new landscaping business?
Yes. Most carriers offer coverage for new businesses, but your experience, services, and safety practices will influence your rates.
Why Arkansas Landscaping Business Owners Choose Wexford Insurance
Landscaping businesses may look simple from the outside—but from an insurance standpoint, they’re complex operations with multiple exposure points.
At Wexford Insurance, we specialize in contractor insurance, including landscaping companies across Arkansas and throughout the Midwest and South. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach—we build coverage around how your business actually operates.
Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU, founded Wexford Insurance after working as an underwriting manager and risk consultant. He holds a degree in Insurance and Risk Management from Indiana State University and understands how carriers evaluate landscaping risks.
“Most landscaping business owners focus on getting the cheapest policy possible,” Nate Jones CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU says. “But when a claim happens—especially with equipment or injuries—they realize too late what wasn’t covered.”
At Wexford Insurance we recently helped a landscaping contractor servicing both residential and commercial properties in central Arkansas. Their previous policy didn’t properly cover their trailer and equipment setup, leaving them exposed. We restructured their coverage and placed them with a carrier better aligned with their operations.
As a Trusted Choice independent agency, we:
Compare multiple top-rated insurance carriers
Customize coverage based on your services
Provide ongoing support as your business grows
We don’t work for an insurance company—we work for you.
Get a Landscaping Insurance Quote in Arkansas Today
If you want to know exactly how much landscaping insurance will cost for your business, the next step is a customized quote built around your operation.
Our office address is107 N State Road 135, STE 304Greenwood, IN 46142
Call 317-942-0549 or visit www.wexfordins.com to get started.
We’ll evaluate your business, identify risks, and compare multiple insurance carriers on your behalf.
