For landscapers in Ohio, a lush, verdant lawn is a canvas to create living art. But running a successful landscaping business involves more than mowing, pruning, and planting. It requires protecting your company, employees, equipment, and reputation from unforeseen risks that could damage your operation. The key to shielding your livelihood is insurance tailored for landscapers.

This guide will uncover insurance costs for Ohio landscaping contractors based on business size, reveal key factors influencing premiums, and provide insights on securing the right coverage. With proper insurance, Ohio landscapers can keep their companies flowering without the dead weight of unexpected perils.

Ohio landscapers must have the right insurance for landscaping to operate legally in the state. This usually includes general liability insurance for landscapers to protect against third-party claims and workers’ compensation for landscaping businesses to cover employee injuries on the job.

Key Statistics about Landscapers in Ohio

  • There are over 7,000 landscaping companies in Ohio, comprising a $2 billion industry statewide.

  • The average landscaper salary in Ohio is $48,000 per year.

  • Ohio landscapers commonly carry general liability, commercial auto, inland marine, workers compensation, and business owner’s policies. State regulations do not require bonding.

  • Landscape companies in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and Dayton make up over 60% of the state’s landscaping firms.

  • Over 50% of Ohio landscape companies are small operations with 1-4 employees. About 30% have 5-9 employees, and 20% have 10+ employees.

Key Factors Influencing Insurance Costs

Several variables determine insurance premiums for Ohio landscaping companies:

Location – Being based in an area with high property crime, severe weather risks, or more litigious courts may increase premiums.

Services Provided – Specialized or hazardous services like tree removal warrant costlier coverage than routine maintenance.

Years in Business – Newer contractors pose greater risks to insurers, leading to higher premiums that decrease over time.

Claims History – Frequent past claims drive costs upward. A clean record keeps premiums affordable.

Safety Record – Strong safety protocols and low past injuries lead to discounts.

Staff Size – More employees increase potential workers comp claims and business risk.

Equipment/Property Values – Higher value equipment and properties mean larger potential payouts for insurers.

Revenue – Contractors with more revenue have greater exposure, raising premiums.

Coverage Limits – Higher liability caps and lower deductibles boost premium costs.

Small Landscaping Business Insurance Costs

For Ohio landscapers with around $150,000 in revenue, 1 owner, and 1 additional employee, typical annual insurance premiums range:

General Liability – $700 to $1,700

Workers Compensation – $1,200 to $2,100

Smaller “sole proprietor” landscapers may opt for an individual workers comp policy vs. traditional workers comp. Premiums run $500 to $1,000 per year.

At this size, bundling general liability, inland marine, commercial auto, and other policies in a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) simplifies insurance. BOP premiums often run $2,500 to $4,500 annually.

Medium Landscaping Business Insurance Costs

For $500,000 revenue Ohio landscaping companies with 1 owner and around 3 employees, typical annual premiums are:

General Liability – $1,900 to $4,000

Workers Compensation – $3,700 to $6,000

Mid-size landscape firms commonly add commercial auto insurance at around $2,000 to $4,500 per vehicle. Inland marine premiums to cover equipment run $1,000 to $3,000.

With multiple policies, premiums total $8,000 to $17,000. Bundling in a BOP provides savings up to 15%.

Large Landscaping Business Insurance Costs

For Ohio landscapers with approximately $1 million in revenue, 1 owner, and about 5 employees, typical annual premiums are:

General Liability – $3,400 to $8,200

Workers Compensation – $6,100 to $9,500

Commercial Auto – $3,500 to $7,000 per vehicle

Inland Marine – $2,000 to $5,000

Umbrella Liability – $750 to $1,500 for $1 million extra coverage

Total premiums scale from $15,000 to $30,000+ for larger firms. Bundling in a BOP saves 10-15%. Adding excess/umbrella liability limits costs an extra $750 to $1,500 annually per $1 million.

Additional Insurance Coverages

Beyond core policies, Ohio landscapers may need added coverages like:

Pollution Liability: Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage from exposure to fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals – $750 to $2,500+ per year.

Cyber Liability: Protects against data breaches, hacking, and electronic theft – $500 to $2,000 annually.

Employment Practices Liability: Shields against employment lawsuits alleging discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, etc. Premiums start around $2,000 for small firms.

Commercial Crime: Safeguards against employee theft and fraud. About $1,000 per year.

Business Income: Covers income lost due to suspended operations from a covered peril like fire. Landscapers pay around $1,000 annually.

How Insurers Determine Landscaper Premiums

Insurers analyze several factors about your Ohio landscaping business to assess risk and determine premiums:

  • Years in business, showing experience and reducing risk over time

  • Location, evaluating property crime rates, weather risks, litigation rates

  • Services provided that are higher-risk like tree removal or slope work

  • Safety record and protocols showing commitment to risk management

  • Equipment used on the job posing various risk levels

  • Number of employees, increasing general liability and workers comp risk

  • Revenue and payroll, indicating a business’s overall exposure

  • Claims history, predicting future loss likelihood

  • Desired coverage levels and deductibles

Insurers enter this data into complex underwriting algorithms that estimate future losses and required premium levels to maintain profitable books of business. Maintaining positive characteristics will help keep your Ohio landscaping insurance affordable.

Getting the Right Insurance for Your Landscaping Business

Work with an independent broker specializing in landscapers to ensure adequate, affordable coverage. They have access to carriers catering to landscapers versus general insurers. This enables tailored options at competitive pricing.

Discuss risks unique to your business like equipment used or chemical application. Develop a schedule documenting equipment make/model, values, and safety features. Also summarize worker training and certification programs. Demonstrating proactive risk management helps secure ideal coverage at lower cost.

Also consider group policies via trade associations like OLCA offering discounted premiums. Review options annually and adjust limits as your business evolves. With proper insurance, Ohio landscapers can keep their companies flourishing without threatening their livelihoods.

Conclusion

Insurance provides critical protection for Ohio’s landscaping contractors against unforeseen perils that could damage their businesses. While premiums rise with greater risks and exposures, following sound safety practices, avoiding claims, and partnering with a specialist broker enables affordable, adequate coverage. Ensure your landscaping company can continue prospering without the dead weight of unexpected risks.