For landscaping companies in Nebraska, lush lawns and gardens showcase their skills in cultivating beauty through careful pruning, mowing, planting, and upkeep. But running a successful landscaping business involves more than just maintaining yards. It requires protecting your company, employees, assets, and reputation from the hazards and risks that can damage an operation.

A key shield against these perils is proper insurance tailored to your company’s size, services, locations, equipment, and evolving exposures. This comprehensive guide will uncover key statistics about Nebraska landscapers, factors influencing insurance costs, coverages for different business sizes, additional policies to consider, how premiums are calculated, and tips for getting the ideal protection.

Landscapers working in Nebraska need to have the right landscaper insurance policies in place. This usually includes general liability coverage for landscapers to protect against third-party claims and workers’ compensation insurance for landscaping businesses to cover employee injuries on the job.

Vital Statistics on Nebraska’s Landscaping Industry

  • There are over 1,500 landscaping companies in Nebraska, generating approximately $400 million in annual revenues.

  • The average annual salary for landscapers in Nebraska is $47,000.

  • Top risks facing landscapers include liability lawsuits, property damage, employee injuries, equipment theft, and commercial auto accidents. Proper insurance is vital.

  • For a small Nebraska landscaping company with 1 owner and 1 additional employee generating $150,000 in annual revenues, base insurance costs range from $2,600 on the low end to $5,100 on the high end.

  • For a mid-size Nebraska landscaping company with 1 owner and 3 additional employees generating $500,000 in annual revenues, base insurance costs range from $7,300 on the low end to $15,400 on the high end.

  • For a large Nebraska landscaping company with 1 owner and 5 additional employees generating $1 million in annual revenues, base insurance costs range from $12,400 on the low end to $25,700 on the high end.

Key Factors Impacting Landscaper Insurance Costs

Several important variables determine insurance premiums for landscaping businesses in Nebraska:

Services Offered – Specialized, high-risk services like tree removal or erosion control warrant higher premiums than routine maintenance and mowing.

Number of Employees – More employees mean increased exposure to risks like workers’ compensation and EPLI claims. A large workforce will drive up premiums.

Annual Revenues – Higher revenues signal larger contracts and projects and more potential risk to insurers. Premiums rise accordingly.

Locations – Landscapers operating in high-crime urban areas often pay elevated premiums compared to rural communities.

Equipment Value – Insurers will charge more to cover expensive landscaping equipment like excavators, backhoes, and commercial-grade mowers.

Claims History – Too many past liability, property, or auto claims will cause premiums to spike. A clean history helps keep costs affordable.

Years in Business – New companies are viewed as riskier by insurers compared to established firms with a proven track record.

Customer Contracts – Requirements like additional insured status or extra coverage limits will affect pricing.

Discounts – Bundling policies and trade association memberships can significantly reduce costs.

Insurance Costs for Small Nebraska Landscaping Companies

A small landscaping company in Nebraska generating around $150,000 in annual revenues with 1 owner and 1 additional employee will need insurance covering key risks:

General Liability – This coverage protects against third party lawsuits alleging bodily injury or property damage from your operations, products, or completed work. Nebraska landscapers typically carry at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate limits. Average annual premiums range from $800 for basic coverage to $2,000 for enhanced protection.

Workers’ Compensation – Mandatory in Nebraska, this insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job. Estimated annual premiums for a 2 person landscaping company range from $1,800 for basic coverage to $3,100 for enhanced protection with higher limits.

Inland Marine – Also called contractor’s equipment coverage, this insures your tools and machinery on job sites and in transit. For about $10,000 in total equipment limits, annual premiums run $500 to $1,000.

Commercial Auto – This policy protects company vehicles from damage and liability in case of an accident. $1 million combined single limit policies start around $1,500 per vehicle annually.

E&O – Protects against professional mistakes and failure to deliver contracted services. Limits of $250,000 cost between $500 to $1,000 per year.

Total Estimated Cost: $2,600 – $5,100 Per Year

Insurance Costs for Mid-Size Nebraska Landscapers

For a medium landscaping company in Nebraska generating around $500,000 in annual revenues with 1 owner and 3 additional employees, recommended coverages include:

General Liability – $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate limits typically sufficient. Average annual premiums range from $2,000 for basic coverage to $6,700 for enhanced protection.

Workers’ Compensation – For a 4 person team, estimated annual premiums range from $5,300 (basic coverage) to $8,700 (enhanced limits).

Inland Marine – With higher value equipment, $25,000 in coverage runs $1,000 to $2,000 per year.

Commercial Auto – $1 million combined single limit policies average $1,500 annually per vehicle.

E&O – Larger $500,000 limits appropriate for mid-size firms cost between $1,000 to $2,500 per year.

Total Estimated Cost: $7,300 – $15,400 Per Year

Insurance Expenses for Large Nebraska Landscaping Companies

For a bigger landscaping company in Nebraska generating approximately $1 million in annual revenues with 1 owner and 5 additional employees, essential coverages would include:

General Liability – Limits of $2 million per occurrence and $4 million aggregate are recommended. Average annual premiums range from $3,600 for basic coverage to $12,100 for enhanced protection.

Workers’ Compensation – For a 6 person team, estimated annual premiums range from $8,800 (basic coverage) to $13,600 (enhanced limits).

Inland Marine – With higher value equipment, limits of $50,000 will cost between $2,000 to $4,000 per year.

Commercial Auto – For multiple vehicles, $2 million CSL policies average $1,500 to $2,500 annually per vehicle.

E&O – For large firms, $1 million limits are ideal and cost between $2,500 to $5,000 per year.

Umbrella – Extra $1 million limits above other policies adds $1,000 to $2,000 annually.

Total Estimated Cost: $12,400 – $25,700 Per Year

Additional Insurance Coverages for Landscapers to Consider

Beyond these core policies, Nebraska landscaping companies should also consider:

Commercial Property – This covers buildings, offices, warehouses and other structures against damage from events like fire, vandalism, and natural disasters.

Cyber Liability – Covers costs related to data breaches, hacks, and digital theft. It’s essential for landscapers using technology to run their business.

Pollution Liability – This policy pays for bodily injury, property damage, and cleanup costs caused by exposure to pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals used in landscaping.

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) – Bundles property, liability and equipment coverage together. A potential cost-saver versus individual policies.

Employment Practices Liability – Protects against employment lawsuits around discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other employee issues.

How Insurance Carriers Calculate Premiums for Landscapers

Insurance companies consider various factors when pricing policies for landscaping companies:

  • Claims History – More liability, auto, or work injury claims mean greater perceived risk and higher premiums. A clean history helps lower costs.

  • Services Provided – Specialized or dangerous work like tree trimming warrants costlier coverage than routine maintenance.

  • Geographic Location – Urban, high-crime areas often have elevated premiums compared to rural communities with lower risk.

  • Customer Contracts – Requirements like additional insured status or extra limits affect pricing.

  • Safety Protocols – Advanced procedures help demonstrate lower risk and can reduce premiums.

  • Loss Control – Proactive steps to minimize claims help insurers price favorably.

  • Equipment Values – Higher value machinery covered leads to increased premiums.

  • Years in Business – New or start-up companies are seen as riskier than well-established businesses.

  • Revenue Size – More revenue signals larger jobs and additional loss exposures, so premiums rise accordingly.

  • Number of Employees – More staff mean increased risks like workers’ comp claims.

  • Coverage Limits – Higher limits equal greater potential payouts by the insurer if claims arise.

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

How to Get the Right Insurance for Your Nebraska Landscaping Business

Choosing ideal insurance means balancing cost, risk tolerance, and evolving business exposures. Here are tips Nebraska landscaping companies should follow:

Consult a Specialist – Work with an agent well-versed in the landscaping industry’s unique risks and access to top insurance carriers with tailored products. Avoid mismatched, generic policies.

Review Contracts Early – Analyze customer contracts upfront and acquire necessary additional insured certificates or increased limits if mandated.

Bundle Policies Intelligently – Purchasing multiple policies through one carrier can yield a multi-policy discount. But choose carriers specializing in landscapers versus generalists.

Conduct Risk Assessments – Perform an in-depth risk analysis identifying exposures across locations, services, equipment, contracts, subcontractors and more. Update it annually.

Re-Evaluate Annually – Insurance needs change as your business evolves. Reassess coverages, limits, exclusions, and costs each year.

Focus on Safety – A clean claims history lowers premiums over time. Prioritize safety through training, maintenance protocols, accident reviews, job site security and more.

Leverage Associations – Landscape industry association memberships provide access to discounted insurance programs and education.

Manage Loss Potential – Implement proven loss control measures like customer waiver of subrogation, equipment audits, and mandatory safety gear.

Verify Carrier Ratings – Confirm insurance companies have strong financial ratings, signaling ability to pay claims. A.M. Best, Moody’s, and S&P are leading rating agencies.

The Bottom Line

Protecting your landscaping business requires tailored insurance matched to your company’s specific operations, services, exposures, and evolving needs. This guide provided key insights on costs, coverages, variables affecting premiums, and smart strategies Nebraska landscaping companies can follow to secure proper protection. Work with a specialist who offers access to top-rated insurance carriers and products designed for landscapers. With the right coverage, you can focus on growing your company and doing great work to beautify the communities you serve.