Is Landscape Workers’ Comp Necessary?

Why do Lawn Care Workers and Landscapers need Workers’ Comp? 

Lawn care employees and landscapers frequently face harsh weather conditions and difficult manual labor tasks.

Additionally, they work with tools and equipment that pose risks to their health and increase the likelihood of being injured.

Think of the most basic piece of lawn care equipment: a lawnmower. Over 6,000 people in the United States annually suffer injuries from lawnmowers. While lawn care professionals handle the tools of their trade with more finesse than the average homeowner, accidents still happen.

Even with proper safety training and equipment, it only takes one thing going wrong for an injury to happen. Landscapers have added risks if they work with equipment like brick pavers. 

The most common injuries for lawn care workers and landscapers include: 

• Strained Muscles: Often from heavy lifting or repetitive tasks like shoveling or hauling plants
• Strains and Sprains: Caused by overexertion during activities such as lifting, bending, or twisting while working
• Hearing Loss: Due to prolonged exposure to loud landscaping equipment like lawnmowers and trimmers
• Falls: Resulting from trips on uneven ground, wet surfaces, or improper use of ladders
• Broken Bones: Can occur from falls or accidents involving heavy machinery or equipment
• Burns: From contact with chemicals like pesticides or accidental exposure to electrical wires
• Heatstroke: A serious risk from long hours in high heat and humidity, especially without proper breaks or hydration
• Cuts: Typically caused by sharp tools like pruners, chainsaws, or other cutting equipment

Workers’ compensation for landscapers and lawn care workers gives those injured individuals a chance to get the medical care they need or, in the most unfortunate cases, help their families cover expenses in the event of their death. 

Lawn care workers’ comp insurance covers the more severe injuries suffered in the profession, too. Amputation is certainly not unheard of, given the types of equipment that workers regularly use. Shrub trimming, the use of wood chippers, and many other common landscaping practices are high-risk endeavors. 

What does Workers’ Compensation for Landscapers provide? 

Workers’ comp for landscapers covers medical costs, lost wages, funeral costs, and generally ensures that workers are taken care of in the event of an accident or illness. 

Medical Costs - This includes reimbursing employees for mileage as they travel to appointments, covering the cost of doctor’s visits, scans, and medication, and even providing rehabilitation services.

Workers’ compensation insurance for landscapers gets good employees back to work or allows them to get the care they need while they’re unable to return to the job. ‍

Wage Reimbursement - Lost wages are devastating, especially for employees who can’t return to work right away. Even one missed check is enough to put workers and their families in a bind.
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Reimbursement rates vary by state but injured or ill workers can expect to get at least two-thirds of their average weekly pay from workers’ comp. If an injury or illness leaves someone impaired or disabled, payments may be higher. 

Funeral Costs - Deaths can occur to lawn care and landscape workers. It’s a tragic reality, but one that landscaping and lawn care insurance accounts for.

It covers burial expenses and may pay out weekly compensation to surviving spouses and dependents. 

Long-term Care - If an injury or illness causes long-term damage, workers’ compensation insurance for landscapers covers the cost. Major injuries like amputations or burns sometimes require a lifetime of care to manage symptoms or other conditions that arise as a result of the injury. Workers’ comp benefits continue to cover that care.

Return-to-Work programs - Some workers’ compensation programs cover services that get employees back to work.

Programs cover things like training in different areas if a worker has new permanent physical restrictions, transitional work as they go through rehabilitation, and generally promoting communication between employer and employee to find a fit for the injured worker.

These return-to-work programs are incredibly useful for getting dedicated employees back into their positions (or similar ones) and keeping teams together. 

How much is Lawn Mowing Workers’ Comp Insurance?

On average, landscaping businesses can expect to pay around $137 per month for workers’ compensation insurance per employee. This equates to an average rate of $4.39 for every $100 of payroll.

Different jobs have different landscaping workers' comp class codes though, and codes that have higher inherent risk will cost more, although there is a slight variation between states. 

Here are common landscaping codes with average premiums from one of our partner carriers.

9102 - Lawn Maintenance 

This code applies to businesses primarily engaged in basic lawn maintenance tasks like mowing, edging, and trimming, without tree planting or removal. This is usually a true mow-n-blow operation and is the lowest cost code of all landscaping codes.

Average monthly premium for class code 9102: $73 

6217 - Excavation 

This code encompasses landscaping tasks with minimal excavation, such as clearing paths or grading land with equipment like bobcats. It includes occasional tree removal but not heavy-duty excavation work.

Average monthly premium for class code 6217: $124

5221 - Hardscaping

Hardscaping involves flat work with concrete or cement, such as patio replacement. However, if the work involves vertical elements like brick walls, it falls under a different classification known as masonry.

Average monthly premium for class code 5221: $136

0042 - Landscape Gardening Contractor

This is the most common landscaping code and is associated with comprehensive landscaping services, including tasks such as planting trees, mulching, and other related activities.

Average monthly premium for class code 0042: $137

0106 - Tree Trimming

This code is specific to off-the-ground tree trimming or removal, which is one of the most expensive landscaping jobs due to its inherent risks.

Average monthly premium for class code 0106: $239

Depending on the type of work a business does, policies for workers’ compensation insurance for landscapers can include multiple different comp codes.

It’s important to note that many underwriters allow companies to make distinctions between a business that only performs or offers maintenance (such as mowing, edging, and trimming) and classic landscaping businesses that plant trees, mulch, and perform other related tasks.

That type of distinction makes a major difference in premium costs. “Mow and blow” businesses that just do mowing, edging, and trimming fall under class code 9102, whereas traditional landscaping businesses are included in the 0042 workers comp code.

9102 businesses are less expensive to insure and will have lower landscaping workers’ comp rates than 0042 workers. 

There are a few other quick things worth remembering to get the correct landscaping workers’ comp code: 

• If a landscaping company offers paving as a regular service, the comp code 5221 for hardscaping work needs to be added to the policy.
• Company’s offering off-ground tree trimming services can include code 0106 in their policy. It applies regardless of whether the trimming is done via climbers or with a boom lift. Clear record-keeping is necessary to distinguish tree trimming work from regular landscaping duties. 

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Tips for lowering Premium costs 

Landscaping work is high-risk by default, but there are things companies can do to reduce their landscaping workers’ comp costs.

1. Accurate Information - Underwriters want information, whether it’s about payroll or the full scope of what a business does. The more equipped an employer is to answer questions and present detailed, clear information about job duties and positions, the more they’ll benefit. That means including the correct class codes, clear payroll information, and anything else underwriters might require.

Kickstand Note: 

If you’re vague about the specific tasks an employee is performing, the insurance carrier will generally assume the highest risk possible. This often results in higher premiums. Clear, detailed information can help avoid unnecessary costs.

2. Workplace Safety - Workplace safety training programs are important in every industry, but they make a huge difference in landscaping and lawn care businesses. Instituting safety protocols and training employees to follow them reflects well on businesses. When purchasing workers’ compensation insurance for landscapers, ensure that underwriters are aware of any qualifying programs! 

3. Report Claims - Each state has its own protocol for reporting workers’ compensation claims. In some states, employers carry the responsibility for reporting claims. In others, it’s on the employee to initiate the process.

In every case, there’s a certain time frame for paperwork to be filed. Adhering to procedures and presenting clear, concise information keeps things smooth with the insurance company. 

The best Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Landscapers 

Lawn care and landscaping are high-risk positions and some insurance companies turn away businesses just trying to protect their employees. If you’re looking for workers’ comp coverage, the experts at Kickstand Insurance are ready to help.

The process is simple and only takes a few minutes. Start immediately by getting a free quote online. Kickstand Insurance specializes in providing coverage for landscapers, with a dedicated team ready to assist with the application process and answer any questions about workers’ compensation insurance!