Insurance

[Perfect Lawn]

Where to go for insurance and what kind do I need for residential lawn maintenance? Trying to start the yr. off right How much does it usually run per year. How much extra for workmans comp. on average?

[lawnpro724]

Contractors insurance - general liability will cost you around $500 a year and workmans comp is based on how many employees you have and payroll you pay. If your just starting out and dont have employees you don't need workers comp.

[WJW Lawn]

Check out Erie Insurance http://www.erieinsurance.com/
They should have an agent near you

[J&R Landscaping]

WJW,
Do you have all your insurance policies with erie or just your GL? The local agent told me they can only write me if I transfered all my policies to erie. They would not write snow plow insurance neither.

I would try nationwide as well. For a minimum, I would look at 500,000 at least but to be better suited, get 1 millon. The rates shouldnt be much different.

[abuckeye]

I would get more than one quote. I have Erie for auto and GL. I got my renewal bill the other day and deceided to get a couple other quotes. I have got one back so far and it is about $600.00 cheaper than I paid last year. When I got quotes last year Erie was the cheapest. Just watch out.

[Perfect Lawn]

Erie insurance is not in my area. I got quotes for 600+ for 300,000 GL. Some insurance wont take me unless I had insurance before for at least a yr.

[teamoneoutdoors]

I have $1 million in general liability and $45,000 worth of equipment insured for $1600.00 annually.

[tamo]

how much liability insurance is generally needed for a basic lawn care co? I'm just going to be doing the basics. I got a quote today for 1 mil. gen. liablity and equipment for $667.

is 500K enough. I'd like to get that price down a little if possible.

from experience, how much damage could a lawn care co. do?

[BONESTEEL'S]

Tamo,

Did you want what I use as a bid sheet. it is in Excel
I like it. send me your email if ya want it... info@nynursery.com

[sinnes12]

I am an insurance agent in NJ and we solely work with landscapers and contractors.
We typically save 25 - 35% for landscapers.

The normal account is General Liability, Commercial Auto, Inland Marine, Workers Comp and sometimes an Umbrella.

Workers Comp is set by the state but certain insurance companies can offer either dividends or something called Managed Care Credit (5% off).

I would always recommend getting a few quotes from different agents or brokers. Your biggest expense is your Auto (depending on how many vehicles) or Workers Comp (depending on payroll size)

I recommend getting $1 million of coverage on General Liability - $500,000 is ok but it is usually peanuts to move to $1 million.

You biggest exposure is on the road - you must carry $1 million in liability for Commercial Auto - make sure you do not have a personal auto account...I see it all the time and the insurance company has the right not to cover you if you are using the truck for business. Commercial Auto is cheaper anyways (at least in NJ)

I would like to help anyone out there who has insuance questions or would like to get a quote. I do work in NJ, DE, NY and PA.
david_sinnes@farmfamily.com

[HiTECH]

I am also looking for a new insurance company, mine is threatning to drop me after they found out that i was doing snow removal. If you are going to be doing work for any home builder you are going to need 2,000,000 in liabilty, or at least in the st. louis area that is what you need.

[topsites]

idk...

Last year, I paid $400 for 1 year's coverage of gen.bus.liab.
This year, they wanted $459 and I just cancelled it.

I'm not paying these exhorbitant rates, not with never having filed a claim and a fico of 720+, if these agencies are insuring other high risk customers then I'm better off shopping around for someone that doesn't.

Then again, I guess a true high risk agency's rates would be closer to $700+...
But that is not my problem.

Give me a rate <400 (and I'd really like $300) and I'll pay.

[LushGreenLawn]

I recieved quotes from several of my local companys. They ranged from $450
to over $1600 for the same coverage. 1 million liability, $6000 to cover zero turn, $1000 for general tools, string trimmers, blowers, ect.

I am waiting for a quote from David Sinnes (last post) before I make my decision as I am in Delaware

[ltw77]

I have had state farm ins since I was 16 (29 now). I have all my vehicles and home through them. I called my agents' office today and talked to one of the flunky's and they said I had to be in business for at least 2 years before they would touch me. I have been doing this for 3 years but I work for someone part-time and its cash only (wink-wink). I assume that if I press the issue with state farm they will want some documentation for the time in business, right? Perhaps talking directly to my agent would be the way to go. She knows my family and I have been with her forever.

On a side note......So if your doing this even part-time you had better have your truck insured for business in case of an accident??

[LushGreenLawn]

I have State Farm for my personal insurance, and got the same response when I inquired about business insurance. They are pretty strict about it.

[sinnes12]

You should have business insurance coverage for you trucks if you use them for the business...you should be able to find an agent who covers you entire package- auto, liability, workers comp and inland marine.
COMMERCAIL AUTO IS USUALLY CHEAPER THEN PERSONAL