As a landscaping business owner in South Carolina, having proper insurance coverage is essential for protecting your business and meeting client requirements. This guide breaks down key insurance coverages and costs based on our analysis of actual quotes from leading carriers.
Understand key landscaping service business coverage requirements and provisions.
General Liability Insurance for South Carolina Landscapers
General liability insurance protects your landscaping business from third-party claims of property damage and bodily injury. Based on our analysis of over 1,000 landscaper quotes, here are the typical costs for South Carolina landscapers:
Average Annual Premiums by Revenue Size
| Revenue Size | Average Premium | % of Revenue | Favorable Rate | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $150K | $1,700 | 1.1% | $700 | 59% |
| $500K | $4,400 | 0.9% | $1,500 | 66% |
| $1M | $8,600 | 0.9% | $3,100 | 64% |
These premiums assume:
- Clean claims history (5+ years without incidents)
- Standard $1M/$2M coverage limits
- Typical mix of residential and commercial work
- Approximately 10% subcontractor costs
Worker’s Compensation Insurance for South Carolina Landscapers
Worker’s compensation insurance is mandatory for South Carolina landscapers with 4 or more employees. Based on our analysis, South Carolina landscapers typically pay:
- $7,700 per employee annually
- $3,200 per $100,000 of payroll
Key premium factors include:
- Employee classification codes (primarily 0042 for landscaping)
- Annual payroll
- Claims history
- Safety programs
- Experience modifier rating (EMR)
Additional Business Insurance for Landscapers in South Carolina
1. Commercial Auto Insurance
- Typical cost: $1,500-$3,050 per vehicle annually
- Required for business-owned vehicles
- Standard coverage: $100K per person, $300K per accident, $100K property damage
- Higher limits ($500K-$1M) recommended
2. Tools & Equipment Coverage (Inland Marine)
- Annual premiums: $200-$2,000
- Coverage range: $5,000-$15,000+
- Typical per-item limit: $5,000
- Protects equipment during transport and at job sites
3. Errors & Omissions Insurance
- Annual premiums: $50-$500
- Coverage range: $10,000-$1M+
- Protects against professional mistakes in landscape design
- Covers faulty work claims and legal defense costs
4. Surety Bonds
Bond amounts range $5,000-$25,000, costing 1-3% based on credit score:
| Bond Amount | Excellent Credit | Good Credit | Bad Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $100-$150 | $150-$200 | $200-$400 |
| $10,000 | $100-$300 | $300-$500 | $500-$1,000 |
| $15,000 | $150-$400 | $400-$750 | $750-$1,500 |
5. Commercial Property Insurance
- Annual premiums: $1,000-$5,000
- Protects buildings and contents
- Coverage for fire, theft, vandalism, weather damage
Get South Carolina Landscaper Liability with ContractorNerd
ContractorNerd specializes in making insurance simple and data-driven for South Carolina landscapers. Our platform offers:
- Instant online quotes from top-rated carriers
- Side-by-side coverage comparisons
- Landscaping-specific expertise and guidance
- Streamlined application process
- Ongoing policy management support
- Claims advocacy when needed
Our team of landscaping insurance specialists understands South Carolina’s unique requirements and can help you:
- Optimize coverage levels based on your specific risks
- Find competitive rates through our carrier network
- Bundle policies for additional savings
- Ensure compliance with state regulations and contract requirements
Our analysis shows potential savings of:
- Small Operations ($150K Revenue): 25-45%
- Mid-sized Operations ($500K Revenue): 35-50%
- Large Operations ($1M+ Revenue): 35-50%
To get started with tailored quotes for your South Carolina landscaping business, visit our online quote tool or speak with one of our landscaping insurance specialists today.