For landscapers in Wisconsin, the job is never done. During the warmer months, you work hard to keep lawns mowed, hedges trimmed, and flower beds free of weeds. When cold weather sets in, it is plowing, shoveling, and blowing snow that takes over the schedule. Year-round, the job comes with a variety of risks that could leave your business vulnerable to a loss. At Gutman Insurance, we help landscaping and snow removal companies find coverage designed to mitigate those risks from season to season.
Keeping Your Landscape Business in the Green
One slipup with your commercial insurance coverage could have you seeing red. Our goal is to help you understand the hazards of doing business in your field and the types of coverage that can help prevent detrimental losses. For example, if a new member of your crew damages a property owner’s fence and vehicle while plowing a driveway, you could be liable for the damages. Likewise, you could open yourself up to a lawsuit if you leave limbs behind in a walkway where they can be tripped over, causing injury. There are also risks associated with damages and loss of your landscape and snow removal equipment, as well as injuries to your employees. With the right insurance, you may be able to better manage these types of scenarios with minimal cost to your business.
Choosing Your Coverage – Where to Start?
When it comes to commercial insurance, we at Gutman Insurance know exactly where to begin. Our goal is to match you to the coverage that is most closely suited to fit your needs based on a wide range of factors, including the specific services you provide, the size of your payroll, and the value of your liquid and physical assets. Your coverage may include:
Workers Compensation Coverage
This type of coverage is not optional – it’s required. The State of Wisconsin requires employers to purchase workers compensation insurance to protect employees against on-the-job injuries and job-related illnesses. It not only protects your business against the risk of a lawsuit when workers become injured, but it also protects the employee by paying for necessary medical bills and time off work to recover. If you have one or more employees, talk to your agent to find out if this coverage is right for you.
General Liability Insurance
Working on someone else’s property is risky – especially when you are tasked with managing the care of expensive sod or a prize-winning flower garden. General liability insurance helps protect your business against third-party claims of property damage or injury, typically covering the cost of legal fees and any damages you are responsible for. Your coverage can also be designed to safeguard against other types of claims, such as faulty advertising.
Commercial Property and Equipment
Most landscaping businesses own extensive physical assets. Whether you work out of your own home with a trailer full of equipment or have a commercial office and shop that you use to store multiple mowers, plowers, and more, you need insurance that protects your property at all times. At Gutman Insurance, we can help you select coverages for equipment when it is being stored, in use on a job, or being transported between locations. We can also help you find commercial property insurance that protects your business assets against hazards like fire, theft, vandalism, wind, falling objects, and more.
Loss of Income
If a covered loss forces you to temporarily close your business or limit your ability to service all of your clients, business income protection can help you manage the loss of revenue. This coverage can help you continue to pay your bills and the costs of running your business despite having a diminished income.
Commercial Vehicles and Trailers
Most landscaping and snow removal services need commercial auto insurance to protect vehicles when they are being used for business purposes. Whether you own one or several trucks and trailers, we can help you protect them against damage and also help you avoid paying for expensive third-party injury and property damage liabilities if you or one of your employees is responsible for an accident.
Umbrella Protection
Commercial umbrella insurance takes the pressure off your business when the cost of a lawsuit and liabilities exceed your primary liability limits. Umbrella insurance can provide extra, supplementary coverage, backing up your business with millions of dollars in extra coverage when you need it most.
Customized Coverage for Your Business
If you operate an outdoor lawn service in Wisconsin, Gutman Insurance can help you find coverage to meet your needs. We serve business owners in general and specialty fields, including:
- Landscapers
- Snow Removal Services
- Lawn Maintenance Companies
- Irrigation Companies
- Tree Trimmers
- Seasonal Workers
- Mowers
- Diagnostic Arborists
- And more
Working with an independent agency means you get local, one-on-one support when you need it. We work for you – not the insurance company. That makes it easier for us to look out for your bottom line. We can help you build a coverage portfolio and answer any questions you may have about your insurance. We can also how you can simplify your coverage with a business owners package (BOP Insurance), which combines several of the most commonly purchased commercial coverages into one policy.
For more information about landscaping and snow removal insurance or to request your complimentary consultation and quote, contact our office today. We look forward to serving you soon.
