Quick Overview: We recommend that yard cleanup crews need four core insurance coverages during fall’s busy season: general liability (third-party property damage and injuries), inland marine (tools and equipment), workers’ compensation (employee injuries, often required with just one part-time worker), and commercial auto (trucks and trailers). Standard homeowners or personal auto policies won’t cover business use.
Fall means falling leaves, overflowing gutters, and a packed schedule for landscapers and cleanup crews. It’s also the season when accidents happen — an employee breaks a window with a stray branch, a blower left in a locked truck bed overnight gets stolen, or a crew member straining their back hauling bags of wet leaves. Having the right insurance in place means one bad afternoon doesn’t turn into a financial setback.
Here’s what your coverage checklist should include before the season gets busy.
What does general liability insurance cover for landscapers?
General liability insurance helps protect your business if your work causes property damage or one of your customers gets hurt. For yard cleanup crews, this could mean:
- A rock kicked up by a mower that shatters a client’s window
- A tree limb that falls the wrong way and damages a fence
- A gutter is damaged during cleaning
Without general liability coverage, you’d be paying for these incidents — and any related legal fees — out of pocket. This coverage is typically the foundation of a small business insurance policy, and most clients will expect you to carry it before signing a contract.
Why do fall cleanup crews need inland marine insurance?
Inland marine insurance covers the tools and equipment you rely on every day — mowers, blowers, trimmers, and trailers — while they’re in transit or stored somewhere other than your business location.
Fall cleanup work often means moving equipment between job sites multiple times a day. If a mower is stolen from your trailer or a blower is damaged in transit, inland marine coverage can help pay for repairs or replacement so you’re not stuck buying new equipment mid-season.
Do I need workers’ compensation for a part-time employee?
Yes, in many cases. Many states require workers’ compensation insurance even if you employ just one part-time worker. This coverage helps pay for medical bills and lost wages if an employee gets injured on the job — which is a real risk in a physically demanding trade like yard cleanup.
Common fall-season injuries include:
- Back strains from lifting bags of leaves or bins of yard debris
- Cuts from handling tools like hedge trimmers or chainsaws
- Slips and falls on wet leaves or uneven terrain
Requirements vary by state, so check your local rules. But even where it’s not legally required, workers’ comp offers protection for both you and your employees.
Does my personal auto policy cover my work truck?
No. Personal auto policies typically exclude business use, which means your truck and trailer need to be covered separately if you drive them for cleanup jobs. This is where commercial automobile insurance comes in.
Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles you use to transport crew members, equipment, and yard waste. It helps protect you against costs from accidents, damage, and liability while you’re on the road for business. If you tow a trailer full of equipment, make sure that’s factored into your policy too — some standard commercial auto policies don’t automatically include trailer coverage.
Get your yard crew covered before the season picks up
Fall is one of the busiest — and riskiest — times of year for landscaping and cleanup businesses. General liability, inland marine, workers’ compensation, and commercial auto insurance work together to protect your equipment, your team, and your bottom line.
Before the leaves start piling up, take a few minutes to review your current coverage and fill in any gaps. It’s a small step that can save you from a costly setback later in the season.