New Jersey’s lush gardens and meticulously maintained yards are a point of pride for many homeowners. Making this outdoor beauty possible are the state’s talented landscapers and landscaping companies. But operating a successful landscaping business involves more than expert pruning and picture-perfect lawns. It requires protecting your company, employees, clients, and reputation from the thorns and brambles of risk.
A vital shield against unforeseen perils is proper insurance. This extensive guide will uncover what landscaper insurance costs in New Jersey, key factors influencing premiums based on your business’s size and stage, additional coverages to consider, and variables impacting pricing. We’ll also explain the importance of partnering with a landscaping insurance specialist.
Landscapers working in New Jersey 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.
Landscaping Industry Overview in New Jersey
Let’s begin with an overview of the landscaping trade in the Garden State:
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There are over 7,000 landscaping companies in New Jersey, generating combined annual revenues exceeding $2 billion.
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New Jersey landscaping industry employment tops 15,000 workers.
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The average landscaper salary in New Jersey is $49,000 annually.
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Top landscaper tasks include lawn mowing, shrub/tree trimming, lawn treatment, irrigation system installation, hardscaping, and winter services like snow plowing.
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The peak seasons in New Jersey are spring and fall when planting and yard cleanups occur. Summer brings mowing and maintenance needs. Snow removal spikes in winter.
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Common risks facing New Jersey landscapers include property damage, bodily injury, employee injuries, theft of equipment/materials, damage to tools or materials in transit, and completed work exposures.
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Landscapers in New Jersey are required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance. General liability coverage is also considered essential.
Factors Influencing Landscaper Insurance Costs
Several key variables determine insurance premiums for landscaping businesses in New Jersey:
Annual Gross Revenue – Higher revenue equates to a larger volume of customer projects and work activity. This increased exposure raises the likelihood of claims occurring, directly increasing premiums.
Payroll Size – The number of employees performing labor intensifies workers’ compensation exposure. More employee manhours create greater injury risks, driving workers’ comp costs upward.
Equipment/Tools Value – Higher value equipment and tools mean larger potential claim payouts by insurers for theft or damage. This results in higher premiums.
Services Offered – Specialized or risky services like tree removal or drainage/excavation work warrant higher premiums than routine lawn mowing and maintenance. The risks of each service must be evaluated.
Location – Areas with high crime or severe weather patterns may have elevated premiums for risks like theft and property damage. Densely populated regions also increase public liability exposures.
Claims History – Past claims drive costs upward, especially for general liability and workers’ compensation. A clean history with few or no claims keeps premiums affordable.
Safety Record – Documented safety protocols and training programs demonstrate a commitment to risk management. This can significantly lower insurance costs.
Account Credit Score – Insurers often run credit checks on landscaping businesses when evaluating policies. Good credit can contribute to reduced pricing.
Length of Time in Business – New operations are considered higher risk. Once established for 5+ years, landscapers are viewed as more stable with more favorable loss run history, reducing premiums.
Small Landscaping Business Insurance Costs
Now let’s explore typical insurance costs for smaller landscaping businesses in New Jersey.
We’ll look at a representative company with:
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1 owner
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1 full-time employee
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$150,000 in annual revenue
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$50,000 in tools/equipment
Here are typical policies and premium ranges:
General Liability Insurance
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Limits: $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate
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Premium: $2,000 to $5,900 annually
General liability protects against third party property damage and bodily injury claims from project work. Common landscaper claims include damaged wiring/plumbing lines during digging or chemicals damaging nearby plants.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
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Limits: Statutory limits per New Jersey law
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Premium: $4,300 to $7,500
Workers’ compensation insurance covers medical bills and lost wages for employees injured on the job. State law requires all employers to carry this coverage. Premiums are based on payroll, job classifications, and claims history.
Inland Marine (Equipment Coverage)
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Limits: $10,000 to $25,000
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Premium: $1,000 to $1,500
Inland marine insures tools and equipment against theft and damage when on job sites and in transit. Most carriers require coverage for any items over $2,500 in value.
Commercial Auto Insurance
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Limits: $500,000 combined single limit
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Premium: $1,800 to $2,500 per vehicle
Commercial auto covers vehicles used for business purposes like trucks or trailers. Landscapers need coverage for non-owned trailers too. Costs depend on factors like driver records, vehicle types, and claim history.
Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions)
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Limits: $250,000 per claim
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Premium: $600 to $1,200 annually
Professional liability protects against financial harm due to mistakes like damaging utilities or installing a defective sprinkler system. It covers legal expenses, settlements and judgments.
Medium Landscaping Business Insurance Costs
Next we’ll examine typical insurance costs for mid-size landscaping operations in the state:
Our sample company has:
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1 owner
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3 full-time employees
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$500,000 in annual revenue
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$150,000 in equipment
Representative insurance policies and premiums:
General Liability
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Limits: $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate
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Premium: $3,500 to $18,100
Mid-size landscapers need increased general liability limits as revenue and exposure grows. $1 million per occurrence is usually adequate.
Workers’ Compensation
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Limits: Statutory
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Premium: $12,800 to $21,100
Added employees and payroll increase workers’ compensation premiums significantly. Rates also rise as total manhours and risk exposure expands.
Inland Marine (Equipment Coverage)
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Limits: $25,000 to $50,000
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Premium: $1,250 to $2,500
With a larger equipment inventory, inland marine limits need boosting to cover potential loss exposure. Expect costs to double or triple.
Commercial Auto
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Limits: $500,000 combined single limit
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Premium: $2,000 to $3,000 per vehicle
Additional work trucks likely enhance commercial auto premiums. Review driver records for training opportunities to reduce accident and violation risks.
Professional Liability (E&O)
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Limits: $500,000 per claim
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Premium: $850 to $1,500
E&O limits should grow with revenue. More customer projects mean heightened financial exposure from costly mistakes.
Large Landscaping Business Insurance Costs
Let’s examine potential insurance costs for larger New Jersey landscaping operations:
Our sample company has:
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1 owner
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5 full-time employees
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$1,000,000 in annual revenue
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$250,000 in equipment
Here are projected insurance policies and premiums:
General Liability
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Limits: $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate
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Premium: $5,600 to $39,900
GL premiums can surpass 2% of gross receipts for bigger landscapers, making it one of the largest annual insurance expenditures.
Workers’ Compensation
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Limits: Statutory limits
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Premium: $21,400 to $33,100
A sizable payroll creates major workers’ comp exposure. Consider safety initiatives like training, equipment checks, and stretcher protocols to control premiums.
Inland Marine (Equipment Coverage)
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Limits: $50,000 to $100,000
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Premium: $2,000 to $4,000
With increased tools and equipment, inland marine becomes vital to guard against catastrophic loss from theft or damage. Limits of $100,000 are advisable.
Commercial Auto
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Limits: $1M combined single limit
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Premium: $2,500 to $4,000 per vehicle
Higher liability limits are prudent with additional vehicles on the road. Also consider hired/non-owned auto coverage.
Professional Liability (E&O)
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Limits: $1M per claim
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Premium: $1,100 to $2,500
E&O coverage of $1 million per claim or more is recommended for larger landscapers to sufficiently cover project exposures.
Additional Insurance Coverages
Beyond the core policies above, New Jersey landscapers should also consider:
Cyber Liability Insurance – Protects against data breaches, hacks, malware and electronic theft. Especially important for landscapers storing customer information digitally. Premiums range from $500 to $2,000 annually.
Pollution Liability – Covers bodily injury, property damage, and cleanup costs from chemical or hazardous material exposures. Covers improper applications or spills for lawn care chemicals, fuel, etc. Typical premiums range from $750 to $2,500 per year.
Commercial Property Insurance – Safeguards business properties like offices, warehouses, and storage sheds against damage from perils like theft, vandalism, fire and wind. Protects furnishings and inventory too. Premiums often range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more annually.
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) – Bundles general liability, commercial property, and inland marine together into one policy. Simplifies insurance for small to mid-size landscapers. Premium discounts often apply. Typical costs range from $3,000 to $8,000 per year.
Employment Practices Liability – Shields against employment lawsuits alleging discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment or other employee claims. Premiums typically range from $2,000 to $5,000+ depending on workforce size and risk factors.
Commercial Umbrella Liability – Provides extra liability limits above general liability and auto policies. For an additional $1 million in coverage, premiums range from $1,000 to $2,000 annually. Costs rise for larger firms or those performing tree work.
Builder’s Risk – Covers customer outdoor construction projects for damages during the course of the job. Typically added to policy for a flat fee of a few hundred dollars when needed for large hardscaping or landscape installation projects.
How Insurers Determine Landscaper Premiums
Insurers analyze a wide variety of risk factors to determine appropriate premiums when issuing policies to New Jersey landscaping businesses:
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Gross annual sales revenue
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Total payroll expenses
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Number of full-time and part-time employees
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Employee classification codes by tasks performed
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Experience modifier factor based on claims history
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Length of time in business
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Number of jobs performed annually
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Types of services provided and risk profile of each
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Equipment and tools value
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Number, types, and use of vehicles
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Driver accident histories and Motor Vehicle Records
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Account credit score
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Safety and risk management protocols
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Customer contracts and liability exposures
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Use of subcontractors and certificate of insurance requirements
Evaluating all these data points against industry benchmarks allows underwriters to price policies tailored to the unique size, risk profile, and exposures of each New Jersey landscaping business.
Getting the Right Insurance for Your Landscaping Business
Partnering with an independent insurance agent that specializes in landscapers is highly recommended when purchasing policies. Their expertise brings key benefits:
Industry Experience – They understand the nature of the trade, risks involved, and insurance gaps requiring coverage. This facilitates custom-tailored policies.
Landscaping Product Knowledge – Access to niche insurance carriers offering products catering specifically to landscapers is invaluable. Mainstream insurers don’t have specialized forms.
Risk Management Guidance – They can provide tips to strengthen safety and protocols to positively impact underwriting and control insurance costs.
Coverage Optimization – Agents can identify potential gaps in protection or areas of improvement as your business evolves so policies continuously provide adequate coverage.
Claims Assistance – Should claims arise, they advocate for policyholders and smooth the process for the best possible outcome.
Competitive Pricing – Independent agents shop among multiple carriers to find optimal rates based on unique risks. Captive agents are limited to one company’s products.
Ongoing Policy Reviews – They periodically review coverages, limits, terms and costs to ensure adequacy as the business grows and operations change.
Conclusion
Operating a successful landscaping company in New Jersey involves more than achieving horticultural excellence. It requires shielding your business, people, property, and livelihood from risk at every turn. We highly recommend partnering with a trusted landscaping insurance specialist. They will craft a policy garden purpose-built to protect your enterprise so you can focus on the artistry of transforming New Jersey’s outdoor spaces into beautiful, tranquil retreats for homeowners to enjoy.