Why lawn care and garden maintenance needs specific cover
Every round trade needs public liability cover (see insurance for round trades). In lawn care and garden maintenance, the risks and the small print are particular to the work: cutting, edging and tidying a garden.
What to ask your insurer about
- Cover for damage to property from machines, such as thrown stones and broken windows
- Cover for damaged plants, lawns and garden features
- Cover for any extras like hedge cutting at height or tree work. Many policies exclude tree work unless you ask for it
The risks behind most claims
- Hand-arm vibration from strimmers and hedge trimmers over long days
- Noise: protect your hearing
- Thrown stones and debris
- Working with chainsaws or at height: get proper training before you take those jobs
Rules to check
- If you apply weedkillers, moss killers or feed-and-weed products with pesticides, check HSE's rules on who needs a certificate of competence
- Green waste you take from customers is waste. Check with the Environment Agency (or SEPA, NRW or NIEA) whether you need to register as a waste carrier
Tell the insurer exactly what you do
Cover for one service doesn't always cover the next. If you do more than one thing, such as pressure washing or gutter cleaning or window cleaning, say so, and ask for it in writing. A claim refused because a job wasn't on the policy is the most expensive mistake in the trade.
If you take on help
The moment someone works for you, even part-time, you may need employers' liability cover. HSE explains who counts as an employee. Ask your insurer how they treat subcontractors.
Run your lawn care and garden maintenance in WorkWise
A repeating diary: Each customer has how often you go and a next visit, so fortnightly gardens repeat across the week without rebuilding it.