Louisiana’s subtropical climate allows lush gardens and landscapes to thrive year-round. The long growing season provides plenty of business for the state’s landscapers and lawn care professionals. But running a successful landscaping operation involves more than just green thumbs and gardening know-how. You also need to safeguard your company, employees, equipment, and reputation from unforeseen perils. A key protection is insurance tailored specifically for landscaping businesses. This comprehensive guide will uncover what landscaper insurance might cost in Louisiana, key factors influencing premiums, coverage options, and expert tips for getting the right insurance to protect your landscaping firm.

Landscapers working in Louisiana need to have the appropriate insurance for landscaping in place. This typically includes liability coverage for landscapers to safeguard against third-party claims and workers’ comp insurance for landscaping companies to cover employee injuries sustained while working.

Key Statistics about the Landscaping Industry in Louisiana

Let’s start with some key facts and figures about the landscaping trade in Louisiana:

  • There are over 5,000 landscaping companies operating in the state employing approximately 15,000 workers.

  • The average annual salary for landscapers in Louisiana is around $38,000.

  • Top cities for landscaper jobs include New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Shreveport.

  • Common services offered by Louisiana landscapers include lawn mowing, lawn fertilization and weed control, landscape design, planting trees and shrubs, irrigation system installation, hardscaping like patios and retaining walls, lawn aeration, leaf removal, snow and ice management, and more.

  • Key risks facing landscapers in Louisiana include third party liability claims, property damage from storms and floods, employee injuries, and equipment theft. Insurance is crucial to manage these exposures that could sink an underprepared company.

Major Factors that Influence Insurance Costs

There are several key variables that impact insurance premiums for landscaping businesses in Louisiana:

  • Location – Landscapers operating in high risk flood zones or regions prone to hail, tornadoes, and hurricanes may pay more for insurance coverage compared to firms in lower risk towns and cities. Coastal regions often have elevated premiums.

  • Services Performed – Specialized higher risk services like tree removal, snow plowing, or chemical applications carry distinct exposures that influence premiums differently than routine lawn mowing and shrub trimming.

  • Years in Business – Newer landscaping firms often pay higher insurance rates than well-established companies until they build up a record over time. Once a solid claims history is established, premiums usually decrease.

  • Annual Revenue – Landscapers generating more revenue take on bigger contracts and have larger payrolls, meaning greater overall risk exposure. More revenue income generally leads to increased insurance premium costs.

  • Payroll Amount – Payroll directly impacts workers’ compensation premiums. Landscapers with higher total payroll will see greater workers’ comp insurance costs.

  • Claims History – Companies with frequent past liability, property, or workplace injury claims will likely pay elevated premiums compared to landscapers with minimal or no claims. Just one large claim can drive rates up.

  • Equipment Value – Businesses insuring more expensive trucks, trailers, mowers, excavators, skid steers, and other equipment will tend to pay higher premiums due to the increased value at risk.

  • Policy Limits – Landscaping companies opting for higher liability, property, or equipment policy limits will bear higher premium costs than those choosing lower limits. However, inadequate limits could leave your business dangerously exposed.

  • Deductibles – Selecting higher deductibles for policies like general liability, commercial property, and auto is a way to reduce premium outlays, but results in greater self-insured retention if a claim occurs. Many landscapers choose deductibles in the $500 to $2,500 range.

Typical Small Landscaping Business Insurance Costs

To give you a better idea of actual Louisiana landscaper insurance costs, below are typical premium ranges for a small landscaping business generating $150,000 in annual revenue with just 1 owner and 1 additional employee:

  • General Liability Insurance – $1,500 to $4,400 per year

  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance – $1,900 to $3,300 per year

  • Surety Bonds – Not Required

With only the owner and a single employee, the insurance needs of this fledgling operation are still fairly modest. General liability insurance provides protection against third party property damage or bodily injury claims that could arise from the company’s work. Workers’ compensation coverage is mandatory in Louisiana and covers any workplace injuries to employees.

Some newer landscapers initially only carry these basic coverages. However, it is also wise for those with company vehicles to strongly consider commercial auto insurance. This covers liability and damage to vehicles used for business purposes, whether owned or leased. Other common policies that small landscapers may need include inland marine and business income coverage.

Typical Medium Sized Landscaping Business Insurance Costs

Let’s look at typical insurance costs for a medium sized landscaping company in Louisiana with 1 owner, 3 full-time employees, and approximately $500,000 in annual revenue:

  • General Liability Insurance – $2,500 to $13,200 per year

  • Workers’ Compensation – $5,700 to $9,400 per year

  • Surety Bonds – Not Required

As the landscaping business grows to around 3 employees and over $500,000 in revenue, the insurance needs and expenses begin to increase more substantially. Both general liability and workers’ compensation costs are higher, as there is now more payroll exposure and larger contract risks that must be covered. The premium ranges also widen due to variables like location and services impacting costs.

Many landscapers in this stage will also insure any owned or leased equipment against damage or theft through an inland marine policy. Business interruption insurance to replace lost income from covered losses is another common coverage for mid-sized landscaping operations. Overall insurance limits are often higher than for small new firms.

Typical Large Landscaping Business Insurance Expenses

For a larger well-established landscaping company in Louisiana with 1 owner, 5 employees, and approximately $1,000,000 in annual gross revenue, typical insurance might include:

  • General Liability Insurance – $3,700 to $29,000 per year

  • Workers’ Compensation – $9,500 to $14,600 per year

  • Surety Bonds – Possibly Required

At this size, the company takes on bigger contracts and has greater payroll and equipment exposures. More employees also increase risks of liability and workplace injury claims. As a result, premiums climb even higher, which is why many sizable landscaping firms choose to add excess or umbrella liability limits above their general liability policy.

Some large projects may require surety bonds as a guarantee of the landscaper’s ability to complete the job. Cyber liability and pollution coverage are other policies larger landscaping businesses commonly invest in for enhanced protection. The goal is tailoring an insurance portfolio that matches the company’s expanded assets and risks.

Additional Insurance Coverages for Landscapers

Beyond the core general liability, workers’ compensation, commercial auto, and inland marine policies, Louisiana landscaping companies should also consider the following supplemental insurance coverages:

  • Commercial Property Insurance – Protection against damage to buildings, storage sheds, fenced yards, offices, and other professional property used in the business. Can cover losses from theft, vandalism, fire, wind, hail, and more.

  • Cyber Liability – Covers costs related to data breaches, malware infections, and other IT security incidents. Pays for computer forensic investigations, customer notification, PR, and extortion demands.

  • Pollution Liability – Provides coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and cleanup costs caused by exposure to hazardous materials like leaking pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.

  • Employment Practices Liability – Shields against employment practices liability claims alleging discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and other employee-related allegations.

  • Commercial Crime – Protection against employee theft of money, equipment, or other business property.

Landscapers using any hazardous chemicals should strongly consider pollution liability coverage for vital protection. An insurance specialist can advise on additional prudent coverages based on your unique risk profile.

How Insurance Carriers Calculate Premiums

When an insurance company is pricing a new or renewal policy for a landscaping business, there are several important factors they analyze to arrive at the final premium:

  • Location Details – Territory, flood or wind zones, local weather risks, crime rates, and other geographic details that affect risk levels. Coastal and flood-prone regions often pay more.

  • Business Size Metrics – Number of employees, total payroll, gross revenues, and other indicators of overall business scale. Larger firms pay more in premiums.

  • Industry Class Codes – Workers’ compensation policies utilize over 600 class codes established by the NCCI. These codes group employees based on duties and claims risk. Landscapers fall under code 0042.

  • Claims History – Any liability, worker injury, or property claims filed will be considered to determine future loss likelihood. More frequent or severe past claims increase premiums.

  • Safety & Risk Management – Businesses demonstrating investment in safety gear, job site protocols, equipment maintenance, and other risk management practices may qualify for discounts.

  • Equipment Values – Higher value trucks, trailers, mowers, excavators and other machinery covered leads to increased premiums.

  • Years in Business – Newer contractors generally pay more until establishing a positive record over time. Long-tenured firms can qualify for more discounts.

  • Deductible Levels – Higher deductibles, like $2,500 instead of $500 translates to lower premium costs for insurers, and often discounts for insureds willing to shoulder more risk.

The premium pricing process involves precisely gauging the various exposures based on these rating factors and the insurer’s claims data and industry experience. Costs are then calibrated to the coverage limits and deductibles chosen.

Expert Tips for Getting the Right Insurance

As this overview illustrates, buying appropriate landscaper insurance tailored for Louisiana-based companies can get complicated. Here are some expert tips on securing the right coverage:

  • Find an Independent Agent or Broker Specializing in Landscapers – They represent multiple insurers, allowing them to shop your risks for the best rate and value. An agent experienced with landscapers understands the needs and speaks the language.

  • Look Beyond Just Policy Procurement – Seek an advisor who will explain important coverages, analyze risks, provide guidance on controlling costs, and be there year-round to address questions and handle new needs as they arise.

  • Discuss Risk Management – Ask what safety initiatives the agent recommends to help manage risks and qualify for discounts. Areas like driver training, equipment/fleet maintenance programs, job site safety protocols, hiring practices, and chemical handling procedures all impact risk.

  • Review Limits and Deductibles Annually – As your landscaping business evolves, insurance limits and ideal deductible levels may need to be adjusted up or down. Conduct annual coverage reviews to ensure adequate protection.

  • Bundle Coverage – Placing multiple policies like general liability, inland marine, commercial auto, workers’ comp, and umbrella with the same insurer often results in premium discounts. But make sure this doesn’t compromise coverage.

Conclusion

Operating a successful landscaping company in Louisiana’s flourishing gardens and lawns requires the right insurance foundation protecting against unforeseen perils. While premiums rise as your business expands, there are ways to control costs through smart risk management, high deductibles, bundling, and working with a specialist. Plant the seeds of coverage today so your landscaping firm can continue growing and thriving for years to come.