How To Get a Business Insurance Quote for a Landscaping Business
- May 25
- 6 min read
If you run a landscaping company, you already know how unpredictable a normal workday can be. One minute you’re installing plants or grading a yard, and the next you’re dealing with a damaged irrigation line, a cracked driveway, or an employee injury. Those moments aren’t rare—they’re part of the business. The real question is whether your insurance is built to handle them.
Getting a business insurance quote for a landscaping business isn’t just about filling out a quick form online. It’s about making sure the quote you receive actually reflects the work you do, the risks you take, and the way your business operates day to day.
At Wexford Insurance we’ve worked with landscaping contractors at every stage—from solo operators running a mower and trailer to full-scale design-build companies managing multiple crews. Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU, our founder, often tells contractors: “The difference between a usable quote and a useless one comes down to how well it reflects reality. If the inputs are wrong, the policy will be wrong.”
This guide walks you through exactly how to get an accurate insurance quote, what information carriers need, what coverage you should expect, and how to avoid the costly mistakes we see landscaping contractors make every week.
Step-by-Step: How to Get a Landscaping Business Insurance Quote
Getting a quote is straightforward—but getting an accurate, usable quote requires attention to detail. Here’s how to do it correctly.
Step 1: Gather Your Basic Business Information
Every insurance quote begins with understanding your business structure and size. You’ll need to provide:
Legal business name and mailing address
Start date or years in operation
Estimated annual revenue
Number of employees and subcontractors
Estimated payroll
If you’re a new business, estimates are expected. However, they should be realistic.
At Wexford Insurance, we’ve seen firsthand how inaccurate revenue or payroll numbers lead to policy audits that result in unexpected additional premiums. It’s better to be slightly conservative upfront than significantly underreport.
Step 2: Clearly Define Your Services
This is one of the most important steps in the quoting process—and one of the most overlooked.
Not all landscaping businesses carry the same risk. You need to accurately describe everything your company does, including:
Lawn mowing and maintenance
Landscape design and installation
Tree trimming or removal
Hardscaping (patios, retaining walls, walkways)
Irrigation installation or repair
Grading or excavation
Seasonal services like snow removal
In Nate Jones’s experience as a former underwriting manager,“ Misclassifying your operations is the fastest way to create a disconnect between your quote and your actual exposure.”
For example, a mowing-only business is viewed very differently by underwriters compared to a company installing retaining walls or running skid steers.
Step 3: List Your Tools and Equipment
Your equipment is not only essential to your operations—it’s also a major insurance exposure.
When requesting a quote, you’ll need to provide details on:
Handheld tools (trimmers, blowers, chainsaws)
Commercial mowers
Trailers
Skid steers or compact loaders
Any specialized equipment
At Wexford Insurance, one of the most common gaps we identify is underinsured equipment. Many contractors underestimate replacement costs, especially when equipment is financed or recently upgraded.
Properly scheduling your tools ensures they’re covered under inland marine insurance—the policy designed for mobile equipment.
Step 4: Provide Vehicle and Driver Information
If your business uses vehicles—and most landscaping businesses do—you’ll need a commercial auto insurance quote.
Be prepared to provide:
Vehicle year, make, and model
Ownership details (owned, leased, financed)
Driver information and driving records
Typical usage (daily routes, jobsite travel)
At Wexford Insurance, auto claims are one of the most frequent and expensive losses we see. Backing into structures, trailer-related accidents, and distracted driving incidents happen more often than contractors expect.
Step 5: Share Your Claims History
If you’ve had insurance before, carriers will review your prior claims.
This includes:
General liability claims (property damage)
Workers’ compensation claims
Auto accidents
Equipment-related losses
Transparency matters here. Providing a complete claims history helps prevent coverage disputes later.
Step 6: Select Coverage Types and Limits
Once your business details are clear, your quote will include several core coverage types.
Understanding each one is critical.
General Liability protects your business from third-party injuries and property damage.
We typically recommend:
$1,000,000 per occurrence
$2,000,000 aggregate
At Wexford, the most common general liability claims we see involve damaged irrigation systems, underground utilities, and property features during installation work.
If you have employees, Workers’ Compensation is essential.
It covers:
Medical expenses
Lost wages
Rehabilitation
For general guidance, see:https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workcomp
Landscaping work involves lifting, equipment operation, and outdoor hazards, making this one of the most important policies you’ll carry.
Commercial Property or Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)
If you operate from a physical location, you’ll need property coverage.
This includes:
Buildings
Storage facilities
Equipment kept on-site
A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) combines liability and property coverage, often at a lower cost.
This protects tools and equipment wherever they are—on job sites, in transit, or stored off-site.
Without it, most equipment claims are not covered.
An umbrella policy provides additional protection above your core policies.
It’s especially useful if you:
Work on high-value properties
Take on larger contracts
Want added liability protection
Average Cost of a Landscaping Insurance Quote
Here’s what we typically see at Wexford Insurance (estimated ranges):
$500 – $1,200 (solo operators)
$1,200 – $3,500 (small crews)
$3,500+ (design/build contractors)
$1,500 – $12,000+ depending on payroll
$1,200 – $10,000+ depending on fleet size
$300 – $3,000+ depending on value
$500 – $1,200 for $1M coverage
These numbers vary significantly based on your risk profile—but they provide a realistic starting point.
What Affects Your Landscaping Insurance Quote
Understanding pricing helps you control it.
Key factors include:
Type of work (tree removal vs mowing)
Payroll and employee count
Equipment value
Driving exposure
Claims history
Coverage limits
At Wexford Insurance, the most expensive policies we see usually combine:
Multiple crews
Heavy equipment
Auto exposure
Prior claims
How to Lower Your Landscaping Insurance Quote
Here’s how to improve your pricing without sacrificing protection:
1. Be Accurate From the Start
Incorrect data leads to incorrect quotes—and expensive corrections later.
2. Bundle Your Coverage
Combining policies often reduces total cost.
3. Invest in Safety
Driver training programs
Equipment training
Jobsite protocols
Fewer claims = lower premiums.
4. Maintain Clean Loss History
Even one unnecessary claim can impact your rates for years.
5. Work With a Specialist
A generalist agent won’t structure your policy correctly.
Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU often advises landscaping owners that “The cheapest quote is rarely the best quote—especially if it leaves out how your business actually operates.”
6. Review Annually
Your business changes—your policy should too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a landscaping insurance quote?
Most quotes are completed within 24–48 hours. More complex operations may take longer due to underwriting review.
Can I get a quote online instantly?
You can get a rough estimate online, but accurate quotes require detailed business information. Instant quotes are often incomplete.
Do I need insurance as a solo landscaper?
Yes. Even without employees, you face liability exposure from property damage or injuries.
What’s the most important coverage to start with?
General liability insurance is the foundation. From there, add workers’ comp, auto, and equipment coverage based on your operations.
Will my quote change later?
Yes—if the information provided is inaccurate. That’s why detailed input upfront matters.
Why Landscaping Contractors Choose Wexford Insurance
At Wexford Insurance, landscaping isn’t just another category—it’s a specialty we’ve built real expertise in.
We’ve helped contractors scale from solo operations to full design/build companies with crews, vehicles, and complex risk exposure.
Recently, we worked with a contractor who added hardscaping services but never updated their policy. Their previous coverage didn’t account for excavation risks. We restructured their program to properly reflect their operations—something that could have prevented a major uncovered claim.
Founded by Nate Jones and Kami Jones, Wexford Insurance operates as a Trusted Choice independent agency, meaning we’re not tied to one carrier. We shop multiple markets to find the right fit.
Nate’s background as an underwriting manager—and his CPCU, ARM, CLCS, and AU designations—allows us to structure policies the way carriers actually evaluate them.
Get a Landscaping Business Insurance Quote Today
If you want a quote that actually reflects your business—not just a generic number—we’re here to help.
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.
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