For landscapers in Mississippi, creating and caring for beautiful outdoor spaces is both an art and science. But running a successful landscaping business involves more than just horticulture expertise. It requires protecting your company, employees, equipment, and reputation from unforeseen risks that could damage your finances or ability to operate.

A key shield against these perils is proper insurance coverage tailored specifically for landscaping contractors in Mississippi. This guide will uncover typical insurance costs based on your business size, the key factors influencing premiums, and strategies for getting affordable, comprehensive protection.

Landscapers working in Mississippi need to have the proper insurance protection 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 on the job.

Key Statistics about Landscapers in Mississippi

  • There are over 1,800 landscaping companies in Mississippi employing approximately 5,100 workers statewide.

  • The average annual salary for landscapers in Mississippi is $38,000 compared to the national average of $37,270.

  • Top counties for landscaper employment are Hinds, Madison, and Rankin.

  • The median hourly wage for landscapers in MS is $16.12 vs. $17.92 nationally.

  • Key risks facing Mississippi landscapers include weather extremes like floods, storms, and heat, workplace injuries, theft of equipment and tools, and liability claims.

Key Factors Influencing Insurance Costs

Your insurance premiums as a Mississippi landscaping contractor will depend on these key factors:

Location – Being based in Mississippi may lower your premiums compared to landscapers in states with higher loss costs like Florida and California. However, risks like tropical storms can cause fluctuations.

Services Offered – Landscapers offering specialized, high-risk services like tree removal will pay higher premiums than those focused on mowing and pruning.

Years in Business – New businesses often pay higher premiums until they establish a record of experience. Long-time contractors tend to get better rates.

Revenue Size – Higher revenue equals greater exposure, resulting in increased premiums.

Claims History – Frequent past claims will drive premiums upward quickly. A clean loss history saves you money.

Customer Contracts – Requiring customers to sign service agreements with liability waivers helps reduce risks and premiums.

Safety Record – Strong workplace safety protocols and training lead to lower workers’ compensation costs.

Equipment Value – Insuring expensive equipment, machinery, and vehicles boosts premiums.

Deductible Levels – Choosing higher deductibles reduces premiums but increases out-of-pocket costs if a claim occurs.

Discounts – Bundling policies with one insurer or belonging to trade groups like NALP may unlock premium discounts.

Small Landscaping Business Insurance Costs

Profile:

  • 1 Owner
  • 1 Full-Time Employee
  • $150,000 Annual Revenue

Typical Coverages & Costs:

  • General Liability – $1,100 to $3,700
  • Workers’ Compensation – $1,100 to $1,900
  • Inland Marine – $500 to $1,500
  • Commercial Auto – $1,800 to $3,000 per vehicle
  • Surety Bonds – $10 to $50

Total Annual Premium Estimate: $4,500 to $10,200

At the lower premium levels, a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) bundling General Liability, Inland Marine, and other coverages may be available at a discount.

Breakdown of Key Coverages:

General Liability:

  • Covers third-party property damage and bodily injury claims
  • Typical limit: $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate
  • Cost range: $1,100 – $3,700 annually

Workers’ Compensation:

  • Covers injuries employees sustain on the job
  • Statutory limits set by Mississippi
  • Cost range: $1,100 – $1,900 annually

Inland Marine:

  • Insures equipment and tools on job sites and in transit
  • Limit based on total value; $10k min recommended
  • Cost range: $500 – $1,500 annually

Commercial Auto:

  • Protects vehicles used for business purposes
  • Typical limits: $100k/$300k/$100k
  • Cost range: $1,800 – $3,000 per vehicle annually

Surety Bonds:

  • Covers client losses if you fail to complete work
  • Typically $10k – $20k limits
  • Cost range: $10 – $50 annually

Medium Landscaping Business Insurance Costs

Profile:

  • 1 Owner
  • 3 Full-Time Employees
  • $500,000 in Annual Revenue

Typical Coverages & Costs:

  • General Liability – $2,500 to $10,700
  • Workers’ Comp – $3,300 to $5,400
  • Inland Marine – $1,000 to $2,500
  • Commercial Auto – $3,500 to $5,000 per vehicle
  • Surety Bonds – $10 to $50
  • Umbrella Liability – $750 to $1,500

Total Annual Premium Estimate: $11,100 to $25,200

Breakdown of Key Coverages:

General Liability:

  • With higher revenue, premiums increase
  • $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate limits recommended
  • Cost range: $2,500 – $10,700 annually

Workers’ Compensation:

  • More employees equals greater premiums
  • Statutory limits set by Mississippi
  • Cost range: $3,300 – $5,400 annually

Inland Marine:

  • Higher value equipment raises potential payouts
  • $25k – $50k in coverage advised
  • Cost range: $1,000 – $2,500 annually

Commercial Auto:

  • Assume 2-3 vehicles insured
  • $100k/$300k/$100k limits
  • Cost range: $3,500 – $5,000 per vehicle annually

Umbrella Liability:

  • Extra $1M in coverage on top of other policies
  • Cost range: $750 – $1,500 annually

Large Landscaping Business Insurance Costs

Profile:

  • 1 Owner
  • 5 Full-Time Employees
  • $1,000,000 in Annual Revenue

Typical Coverages & Costs:

  • General Liability – $3,900 to $20,000
  • Workers’ Comp – $5,500 to $8,500
  • Inland Marine – $2,000 to $5,000
  • Commercial Auto – $4,000 to $6,000 per vehicle
  • Surety Bonds – $10 to $50
  • Umbrella Liability – $1,000 to $2,500
  • Cyber Liability – $500 to $1,500

Total Annual Premium Estimate: $17,500 to $44,600

For larger landscaping contractors, additional coverages like Employment Practices Liability and Business Interruption Insurance may be recommended. Speak with an insurance professional to evaluate specific risks.

Breakdown of Key Coverages:

General Liability:

  • Significantly higher premiums due to $1M+ revenue
  • $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate limits minimum
  • Cost range: $3,900 – $20,000 annually

Workers’ Compensation:

  • More employees results in greater premiums
  • Statutory limits set by Mississippi
  • Cost range: $5,500 – $8,500 annually

Inland Marine:

  • Insuring expensive equipment and tools
  • $50k – $100k in coverage or more advised
  • Cost range: $2,000 – $5,000 annually

Commercial Auto:

  • Likely 5+ vehicles insured
  • $100k/$300k/$100k limits recommended
  • Cost range: $4,000 – $6,000 per vehicle annually

Umbrella Liability:

  • Extra protection above other policies
  • $1M – $2M in additional coverage typical
  • Cost range: $1,000 – $2,500 annually

Cyber Liability:

  • Covers data breaches, hacking, electronic theft
  • Limits from $100k to $1M
  • Cost range: $500 – $1,500 annually

Additional Insurance Coverages

Beyond the core business policies listed above, Mississippi landscapers may benefit from these additional insurance plans:

Pollution Liability – Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage from exposure to lawn chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, and other hazardous materials you use.

Business Interruption – Replaces lost income if damage, severe weather, or other causes force you to temporarily shut down.

Commercial Property – Protects your business premises, production equipment, furnishings, inventory, and other property in case of damage.

Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) – Shields against claims like wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, and other employee lawsuits.

Flood Insurance – Provides protection not included in typical property or business owner’s policies. Crucial for Mississippi landscapers vulnerable to flooding.

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) – Bundles property, liability, and other coverage together at a discounted rate. Simplifies insurance for qualifying small businesses.

Professional Liability – Covers financial harm if you fail to complete landscaping work or make mistakes requiring rework.

Hired & Non-Owned Auto – Provides coverage if your employees use their personal cars for work purposes.

How Insurers Determine Landscaper Premiums

Landscaper insurance is complex, with many factors influencing premiums across the different coverage types. Here are key considerations for how insurance carriers price policies:

General Liability – Based on revenue, location, claims history, services provided, contract structure, safety protocols, and customer risk profiles.

Workers’ Compensation – Tied to payroll size, employee class codes based on risk, experience modifier, and statewide loss costs set by Mississippi regulators.

Inland Marine – Determined by total value of covered equipment, theft/damage risks in operating locations, and claims history.

Commercial Auto – Factors include number/type of vehicles, driver records, usage, geographical risks, and desired liability limits.

Umbrella Liability – Considers underlying policy limits, overall business size, services, risks, and history of claims.

Professional Liability – Revenue size, specialty services offered, claims history, and caliber of risk management procedures.

Cyber Liability – Level of electronic data collection and storage, security protocols, and previous data breaches.

EPLI – Number of employees, human resources practices, employee turnover, and prior lawsuits.

Getting the Right Insurance for Your Landscaping Business

Working with an independent insurance agent or broker that specializes in landscapers is key to getting appropriate, affordable coverage. They will:

  • Have access to leading insurance carriers familiar with landscapers’ unique risks.

  • Help you analyze your specific business activities and exposures to assemble a tailored insurance plan.

  • Suggest critical coverages you may overlook or not think you need.

  • Keep your policies aligned with your evolving business as you grow or change services.

  • Assist with claims should any arise to get you maximum reimbursements quickly.

  • Regularly re-evaluate your insurance portfolio as the market, your business dynamics, and climate conditions change over time.

  • Leverage their expertise and carrier relationships to get you the best rates.

Conclusion

Properly insuring your Mississippi landscaping company provides peace of mind so that you can focus on building a thriving business with healthy turf and trees. Avoid uninsured losses that could damage your company’s financial viability. Work with a specialist to craft a tailored insurance program meeting your budget while controlling risk. They will make sure you have the ideal coverage so your business can flourish come rain, heat, or storm.