How Much Does Landscaping Insurance Cost in Texas?
- May 19
- 6 min read
If you run a landscaping business in Texas, you already know the job isn’t predictable. One week you’re mowing properties in Plano, the next you’re handling storm cleanup in Houston after a heavy hailstorm. Add in extreme heat, tight timelines, and expensive equipment, and you’ve got a business where risk is part of the daily routine.
That’s why so many owners start looking into landscaping contractor insurance in
Texas as soon as they hire a crew or take on commercial work. But the question we hear every day at Wexford Insurance is simple: what does it actually cost?
In Nate Jones’s experience as a former underwriting manager, “Landscaping is one of those industries where insurance pricing can vary widely because the risk varies so much—from basic lawn care to complex tree removal or irrigation work. You have to look at how the business actually operates.”
Let’s break down real-world costs, what drives those numbers in Texas, and how to make sure you’re protected without overpaying.
Average Cost of Landscaping Contractor Insurance in Texas
When you request a quote, pricing depends on payroll, services, equipment, and claims history. That said, here are realistic estimated ranges based on what we see across Texas landscaping contractors.
$60 to $180 per month
$700 to $2,200 per year
General liability insurance covers third-party injuries and property damage—one of the most important protections for landscapers working on residential and commercial properties.
$1.00 to $2.75 per $100 of payroll
Typically $100 to $700+ monthly for small crews
Even though Texas doesn’t require it in most cases, many contractors carry workers’ compensation insurance to reduce liability risk and meet contract requirements.
Explore options: https://www.wexfordins.com/workers-compensation-insurance
$50 to $150 per month
$600 to $1,800 annually
Commercial property insurance protects your shop, office, or storage facility, along with tools and inventory stored onsite.
$120 to $300 per month
$1,500 to $3,600 per year
A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) bundles liability and property coverage, making it a cost-effective option for most landscaping businesses.
$30 to $120 per month
$350 to $1,400 annually
This covers mobile equipment like mowers, trailers, blowers, and skid steers while they’re in transit or on job sites.
$150 to $400+ per vehicle per month
If you’re hauling trailers or driving between job sites, business auto insurance is essential—not optional.
These are general ranges. At Wexford Insurance, we routinely see pricing swing higher or lower depending on how the business operates.
What Factors Affect Landscaping Insurance Costs in Texas?
Texas is not an “average” insurance market. It has unique cost drivers that make landscaping insurance here different from most states.
Weather Exposure Across Texas
Texas presents some of the most severe weather variations in the country:
Houston & Gulf Coast → flooding and heavy rain
Dallas & North Texas → hailstorms and high winds
Central Texas (Austin/San Antonio) → drought and heat stress
West Texas → dust, dryness, and equipment wear
At Wexford Insurance, one of the most common claims we see is storm-related property damage—either to client property or equipment left on-site.
Business Size and Revenue
The more jobs you take on, the more exposure you have.
Small residential crews → lower premiums
Large commercial contractors → higher risk and cost
Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU, often advises landscaping business owners that “revenue is one of the clearest indicators insurers use—because it reflects job volume and exposure.”
Number of Employees
Payroll directly impacts workers’ comp pricing.
Even in Texas (where it’s optional), having employees increases risk from:
On-the-job injuries
Equipment accidents
Heat-related illnesses
Types of Services Offered
Not all landscaping work is treated the same.
Higher-risk services include:
Tree trimming or removal
Irrigation installation
Grading and excavation
Pesticide or chemical application
At Wexford Insurance, we’ve found that tree work is one of the biggest cost drivers due to the potential for severe property damage claims.
Equipment and Transportation
Landscapers often carry expensive gear:
Zero-turn mowers
Trailers
Skid steers
Commercial blowers
Transporting this equipment daily raises both theft and accident risk, increasing inland marine and auto premiums.
Location Within Texas
Insurance pricing varies across regions:
Houston and Dallas → higher premiums due to density and claim frequency
Austin → moderate to high due to rapid development
Rural areas → slightly lower, but still exposed to travel-related risks
Claims History
Your track record matters.
Frequent claims—even small ones—can significantly increase your premiums over time.
Texas-Specific Insurance Requirements for Landscaping Contractors
Understanding Texas law is critical if you want to stay compliant and protect your business properly.
Workers’ Compensation Laws in Texas
Texas is unique—it does NOT require most private employers to carry workers’ compensation.
However, there’s a catch.
If you choose not to carry it, you become a “non-subscriber.”
That means:
You lose certain legal protections
Employees can sue you directly for workplace injuries
At Wexford Insurance, we’ve seen contractors regret skipping workers’ comp after one injury claim turned into a lawsuit.
Learn more from the Texas Department of Insurance
Licensing and Local Requirements
Texas does NOT require a statewide landscaping license—but:
Some cities enforce local rules
Commercial clients often require proof of insurance
Contracts typically require general liability coverage
In markets like Austin and Houston, property managers almost always request certificates of insurance before awarding jobs.
Pesticide and Chemical Regulations
If your business applies pesticides or fertilizers, you may fall under regulations from the Texas Department of Agriculture.
This introduces additional liability risks tied to:
Chemical exposure
Improper application
These exposures often require specialized coverage.
Environmental and Runoff Liability
Texas has strict concerns around:
Water runoff
Soil erosion
Chemical contamination
Especially in flood-prone regions like Houston, environmental exposures can create serious liability issues.
Contractual Insurance Requirements
Even though the state doesn’t mandate specific limits, most commercial contracts require:
$1,000,000 per occurrence
$2,000,000 aggregate
Without these limits, you may not qualify for larger jobs.
How to Lower Your Landscaping Insurance Costs in Texas
Insurance is a major expense—but there are ways to control it.
Bundle policies into a BOP
Combining liability and property coverage often reduces overall cost
Maintain a strong safety program
Training employees reduces jobsite accidents
Document equipment maintenance
Prevents breakdown-related claims
Avoid high-risk services (if possible)
Tree work and heavy grading increase premiums significantly
Increase your deductible
Lowers your monthly cost
Secure your equipment
Theft is a common inland marine claim across Texas
Work with an independent agency
At Wexford Insurance, we shop multiple carriers to find better pricing
FAQ: Landscaping Contractor Insurance in Texas
Is landscaping insurance required in Texas?
No, Texas does not mandate insurance at the state level. However, most commercial clients require general liability coverage, and many contracts also require workers’ comp.
Why is workers’ comp optional in Texas, and should I still carry it?
Texas allows businesses to opt out, but doing so increases your legal risk significantly. Most established landscaping companies still carry it to protect both employees and the business.
Can I get insurance as a new landscaping business in Texas?
Yes. In fact, many carriers are open to new ventures. At Wexford, we often help first-year contractors secure affordable starter policies that grow with their business.
Why Texas Landscaping Contractors Choose Wexford Insurance
At Wexford Insurance, we specialize in helping contractors—not just selling policies.
We’ve worked with landscaping businesses operating across Texas, from small residential crews to larger commercial contractors handling multi-property accounts. We understand how your day-to-day work impacts your risk—and how to structure coverage that actually fits.
As an independent agency and Trusted Choice member, we represent multiple carriers. That gives you options, not a one-size-fits-all policy.
Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU—our founder and Director of Insurance—brings deep industry expertise. He holds CPCU, ARM, CLCS, and AU designations and earned his degree in Insurance and Risk Management from Indiana State University. His background as an underwriting manager means he understands how insurance companies think—and how to position your business accordingly.
At Wexford Insurance, we recently helped a Texas landscaping contractor reduce costs by restructuring their policies into a BOP and adjusting deductible levels—all without reducing coverage. That kind of hands-on strategy is what sets us apart.
One of the most common mistakes Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU sees? Landscaping contractors focusing only on price instead of coverage—and ending up exposed after a claim.
Get Your Landscaping Contractor Insurance Quote Today
If you're running a landscaping business in Texas, the right insurance isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about protecting everything you’ve built.
At Wexford Insurance, we’ll take the time to understand your operation, walk through your risks, and build a plan that fits your business—not someone else’s.
Our office address is107 N State Road 135, STE 304, Greenwood, IN 46142
Call 317-942-0549 or visit www.wexfordins.com. We will compare multiple carriers and help you secure the right protection at the best possible price.
