Insured Pro's Wanted

[Lawn DOG]

I have a marketing idea that would benefit all that want to participate. I know how we always stress how important insurance is and how it sets us apart from the others but how about something to back it up. Here is my idea. I want to put together an educational flyer or brochure to give to target accounts that we are focusing on. I need the help of my fellow members to find articles about uninsured people who get injured or cause an injury or damage property while peforming jobs for residential and commercial customers. It would be helpful if these articles had details such as how much these customers ended up being sued for. Face it, we pay for insurance and like to stress the importance of having it. Imagine how powerful of a selling point this would be. Somethimg to back it up. I can't think of anything better than someone elses nightmare. All those interested please leave a reply. I will share any information with anybody that wants it. Please help me with this project.

[Lawn DOG]

Give me a private message with your address and fax# if you have one. I will make copies of all articles and send them to anyone that wants one.

I know you guys read the paper!

[racerdave]

About 8 years ago a major contractor subbed out some work to a small crane contractor. This was on a highway project, the crane fell over and killed a driver of a car sitting at a stop light. Guess what? NO INSURANCE! It cost the major contractor 25 millon dollars plus court costs!
I believe that this can also happen to the property owner also.(If I were to throw a rock out and injure someone, and I wasn't insured, then I think they can go after the home owner. (going after the money))
That in itself should scare the daylights out of anybody.
David

[trimmer]

That is a good idea. Why don't we try to make better regulations and laws for our industry. Try to make it harder for every Tom, Dick and Harry to get into the industry. Or set ourselves apart from the rest.

[CSRA Landscaping]

I can see it now ... you can't buy that offroad diesel for your mower unless you show me your license, buddy.

I for one do not think that more regulations are the answer. How about more code enforcement to back up the regs that are already in place?

I do think it's a good idea to put something like this together, though.

[Lawn Wizard]

Wow that is a really good idea Lawn GOD!

I wouldnt think adding more laws and regulations would stop anyone from scrubbing. It would just make our lives harder!

I think we should form a union.
I can see it now all the union members picketing infront of a scrubs lawn! hehe. We are the people that make up this industry, why shouldnt we have direct control over it? Just an idea!

[lawnboy82]

i think that this would be a good idea, definatley. um, over here about 2 years ago or so, a guy got his foot cut off by a cable that got caught in a chipper. the chipper didnt cut the foot off, the cable cut it off. well a kid who i used to know, his grandmother was the nextdoor neighbor to the place that the guy got hurt at. however i think the cable belonged to the grandmother however. so the kid's father was being sued for 5,000,000 dollars. um, i would try to if you are gonna do this put together some form of hypothetical scenario, also try to get in touch with some local insurance companies and get some feedback from them as well as some other local contractors, and other people, they will normally have some horror stories for you.

[Currier]

I agree that being insured should be a major selling point. I still think, however, that alot of residentials do the old "it won't happen to me thing..."
Just today I heard a local radio add from a sprinkler design/supply place. they talked about all the benefits of a well designed system and how good it was for the grass...they finished the commercial by saying "hire the neighborhood kid to mow for you and you are all set..."
My thought...until that kid gets hurt or hurts someone else, but I think most homeowners don't care to think about it. This bringing insurance to the attention idea is a good one, it seperates the true businesses from the "acting serious but just waiting to blame someone else for my mistakes" crowd.

[LJ lawn]

i don't know about you guys but-the way my insurance agent explained it to me was : "i" as an individual was not insured for any bodily harm incurred when working on a clients property.the insurance was for damage or bodily harm to the client or others. if i was hurt on the property the homeowners insurance policy covers the claim.my commercial auto policy also does not cover any bodily injury( PIP or personal injury protection)only injury to others.

[Lawn DOG]

L1
Your insurance maybe just that. Do you have Workmans Compensation?

[lawnman_scott]

I am going to have my girlfriend look inot how to start a business organization. I am sure that we could get a group rate on health and workmans comp ins, as well as liability. This wouldnt affect service i dont think, because with these type of claims you usually have to deal with the company calling the 800# anyway. Does anyone know how many members there are here? With a business organization we could send a letter to any city council about unlisenced contractors, and im sure this would be of intrest to them, as they would collect fine money, and it would be taken more seriously if the letter was from Proffesional Lawn and Landscapers of North America, than from Scotts Lawn Care, dont you think? I have seen alot of talk about this, but until we do something we wont ever be taken seriously, because any kid can do this, not as good, but they can still do it. Anyone have any ideas where to start, im going to start making calls in the next week or so if i have the time.