Best Commercial Insurance Carriers for Landscapers (2026)

Finding the best insurance carriers for landscapers is one of the more straightforward placement tasks — until it isn't. A three-person lawn care crew is a different risk than a ten-person operation that does hardscaping, irrigation installation, and tree removal. The carriers that eagerly write the first account may decline the second entirely. Knowing which carriers have genuine appetite for landscaping work, and where that appetite starts to narrow, saves you from wasted submissions and slow-walked quotes.

This guide covers the carriers that consistently write landscaping contractors, how their appetite varies by operation type, and where regional options can outperform national markets on pricing and flexibility. If you need a broader overview of contractor coverage, see our contractor insurance guide.

TLDR: Hartford, Travelers, and Acuity are the strongest standard markets for landscaping contractors. biBERK and NEXT handle small mono-line accounts efficiently. Tree care and arborist work is the dividing line — most standard carriers restrict or exclude it, pushing those risks to specialty markets like Arrowhead, BTIS, or Capitol Indemnity.

What Landscapers Need: The Coverage Stack

Before comparing carriers, it helps to understand the full coverage picture. Landscaping contractors typically need five to six lines of coverage, and the agent who rounds the account keeps it.

General Liability — The foundation. Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage. A landscaper's crew damages a client's sprinkler system, drops a tree limb on a fence, or a visitor trips over equipment on a job site. Standard limits are $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate. ISO class codes 97047 (landscape gardening) and 97050 (lawn care services) are the most common, with rates varying significantly between the two.

Workers Compensation — Required in nearly every state once you have employees. Landscaping carries moderate WC rates because of the physical labor, equipment use, and outdoor exposure. NCCI class code 0042 (landscaping and gardening) is the standard assignment. Tree trimming operations can push into higher-rated codes.

Commercial Auto — Trucks, trailers, and mowing equipment in transit. Most landscapers operate multiple vehicles and need hired/non-owned auto coverage for employees who occasionally use personal vehicles. $1M combined single limit is the floor for any contractor doing work on commercial properties.

Inland Marine — Covers tools and equipment: mowers, skid steers, trailers, aerators, and specialized tree care equipment. A contractors equipment floater is essential because commercial auto policies exclude equipment not permanently attached to a vehicle, and a general property policy won't cover items used at various job sites.

Business Owners Policy (BOP) — For landscapers with an office or shop location, a BOP bundles general liability with commercial property coverage. Some carriers offer a BOP-plus-inland-marine package that simplifies the placement for smaller operations.

Umbrella / Excess Liability — Commercial property managers and general contractors increasingly require $1M–$2M umbrella limits via certificate of insurance. Any landscaper working on commercial properties or HOA accounts needs excess coverage.

Carrier Comparison: Landscaping Appetite at a Glance

"Strong" = actively seeks the class. "Moderate" = writes with some underwriting conditions. "Limited" = will consider case-by-case with restrictions. "Declined" = generally excluded.

Top Carriers for Landscaping — Detailed Breakdown

The Hartford

The Hartford is the most frequently cited standard market for landscaping contractors, and for good reason. Their small commercial platform has strong auto-issue rates for lawn care and general landscaping operations, and their appetite for landscaping accounts is well-documented.

What they write well:

• Lawn care maintenance (mowing, fertilization, weed control)
• General landscaping (planting, mulching, seasonal cleanup)
• Irrigation installation and repair
• Snow removal as a secondary operation (seasonal)

Where appetite narrows:

• Tree trimming is restricted to incidental work only — trimming below 25 feet as part of general landscaping, not as a primary service
• Tree removal is generally declined
• Hardscaping involving retaining walls over 4 feet or any structural work gets referred to underwriting

Pricing: Competitive for accounts under $5M in revenue. Hartford's BOP pricing for small landscapers (under $1M revenue) is often the lowest available in standard markets. Workers comp is moderately competitive but not always the best option for larger payrolls.

Best for: Small to mid-size landscaping operations that do not perform tree care as a primary service. If your client is a three-truck lawn care company, Hartford is probably your first submission.

Travelers

Travelers has the broadest underwriting appetite for landscaping among the national carriers. They will consider the full spectrum of landscaping operations including hardscaping, irrigation, and even some tree work — which sets them apart from Hartford and most other standard markets.

What they write well:

• Full-service landscaping including design-build
• Hardscaping (patios, walkways, retaining walls)
• Irrigation systems
• Commercial landscape maintenance
• Snow and ice management as secondary operation

Where appetite narrows:

• Tree removal is case-by-case and typically requires a separate arborist policy or endorsement
• Aerial lift work above 40 feet requires additional underwriting review
• Chemical application (pesticides, herbicides) may require pollution liability

Pricing: Travelers is rarely the cheapest option, but their willingness to write larger and more complex landscaping operations makes them the carrier of choice when Hartford or a regional market cannot accommodate the full scope of work. Packaging GL, auto, WC, and inland marine on a single account often yields better pricing than splitting lines across carriers.

Best for: Mid-size to large landscaping companies ($3M–$15M revenue) with diverse operations that include hardscaping or light tree work.

Acuity

Acuity is a regional carrier based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, with strong appetite for contractor classes including landscaping. They operate in 32 states, primarily in the Midwest, Southeast, and Mountain West regions.

What they write well:

• Lawn care and maintenance
• Full-service landscaping
• Hardscaping and outdoor construction
• Snow removal (they are a Wisconsin carrier — they understand seasonal operations)
• Light tree trimming as a secondary service

Where appetite narrows:

• Tree removal as a primary operation is restricted
• Aerial work above 30 feet typically declined
• Operations in states outside their 32-state footprint are unavailable

Pricing: Acuity is consistently competitive on landscaping accounts and frequently beats Hartford and Travelers on mid-size operations ($2M–$8M revenue). Their workers comp pricing in Midwest states is particularly strong. Agents who have Acuity appointments and work in their territory should be quoting them on every landscaping submission.

Best for: Mid-size landscaping operations in Acuity's 32-state territory. Particularly strong in the Midwest.

biBERK (Berkshire Hathaway Direct)

biBERK is Berkshire Hathaway's direct-to-small-business platform, and they have a growing agent channel. Their appetite for landscaping is limited to straightforward operations, but for the right account, they deliver instant quotes at competitive pricing.

What they write well:

• Lawn care and maintenance
• Basic landscaping (planting, mulching, seasonal work)
• Snow removal as a secondary operation

Where appetite narrows:

• Hardscaping is restricted or declined depending on scope
• Any tree work is generally excluded
• Revenue cap is approximately $3M, limiting their usefulness for mid-size operations
• Inland marine is limited — contractors with significant equipment may need a separate policy

Pricing: biBERK's GL and BOP pricing for small lawn care operations is among the most competitive in the market. Their online platform delivers bindable quotes in minutes, which is useful when a landscaper needs a certificate quickly to start a job.

Best for: Small lawn care and basic landscaping operations under $3M in revenue that need fast placement.

Erie Insurance

Erie operates in 12 states (DC, IL, IN, KY, MD, NC, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WI) and has strong appetite for contractor classes including landscaping. They are a consistent performer for agents in their territory.

What they write well:

• Lawn care and general landscaping
• Moderate hardscaping operations
• Commercial and residential landscape maintenance
• Package policies that bundle GL, auto, and property

Where appetite narrows:

• Tree work beyond incidental trimming is restricted
• Limited geographic footprint constrains their usefulness for multi-state operations
• Larger accounts ($8M+ revenue) may exceed their comfort zone

Pricing: Erie is frequently the most competitive option in their territory for landscaping accounts in the $1M–$5M revenue range. Their package pricing — bundling GL, commercial auto, and property — tends to undercut national carriers that price each line independently.

Best for: Landscaping operations in Erie's 12-state territory, particularly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the Mid-Atlantic.

Westfield Insurance

Westfield operates across 21 states, primarily in the Midwest, and has a long track record with contractor classes. Their underwriting team is accessible and willing to work with agents on accounts that fall outside standard appetite.

What they write well:

• Full-service landscaping
• Hardscaping including retaining walls and outdoor structures
• Irrigation installation
• Commercial landscape maintenance contracts
• Snow and ice management

Where appetite narrows:

• Tree removal is restricted to operations where it represents less than 15% of revenue
• Accounts with significant aerial work are declined or referred to specialty
• Chemical application requires pollution liability, which Westfield does not always offer in-house

Pricing: Competitive for mid-size landscaping operations and particularly strong on accounts that include hardscaping — a class where some national carriers either restrict coverage or apply surcharges.

Best for: Mid-size landscaping and hardscaping operations in the Midwest.

Tree Care and Arborist Coverage

Tree care is where the standard market breaks down for landscaping accounts. The distinction matters, and getting it wrong can result in a coverage gap that generates an E&O claim.

The classification issue: There is a significant difference between a landscaper who occasionally trims branches below 15 feet as part of general cleanup and a crew that performs canopy trimming at 40 feet or removes large trees with chainsaws and cranes. Standard carriers treat these as fundamentally different risks — and they are right to do so. Tree removal operations carry bodily injury severity that rivals roofing.

Which carriers will write tree work:

• Travelers — Will consider tree trimming as part of a broader landscaping operation. Tree removal as a primary service requires case-by-case underwriting and may be written on a separate policy.
• Acuity — Light trimming as secondary to landscaping is acceptable. Primary tree care operations are generally referred out.
• Capitol Indemnity — Specialty carrier with genuine appetite for arborist and tree care operations. They understand the class and price it accordingly.
• Arrowhead General Insurance — E&S market with broad contractor appetite including tree care. Available through their wholesale channel.
• BTIS (Berkley Technology & Insurance Solutions) — Offers a tree care program through their online platform. Quick quotes for small to mid-size arborist operations.

Which carriers exclude tree work:

• Hartford — Hartford's landscaping appetite explicitly excludes tree removal. Incidental trimming below 25 feet as part of general landscaping is acceptable, but if tree care is listed as a service on the insured's website or marketing materials, expect an underwriting question or declination.
• biBERK — Tree work of any kind is generally excluded from their landscaping class.
• NEXT Insurance — Similar to biBERK, tree operations are outside their appetite.
• EMC Insurance — Tree trimming is heavily restricted and tree removal is declined.

Agent strategy for mixed operations: When a landscaping client performs both general landscaping and tree care, you have two options. First, find a single carrier (Travelers, Arrowhead) willing to write the combined operation — this simplifies administration but may cost more on the landscaping portion. Second, split the account: place the general landscaping GL with a standard carrier like Hartford or Acuity, and place a separate arborist GL policy with a specialty carrier like Capitol Indemnity. The second approach often yields better total premium but adds complexity at renewal and requires careful coordination to avoid gaps.

If the tree care revenue exceeds 25% of total revenue, most standard carriers will either decline the entire account or exclude tree operations. At that point, you are effectively placing an arborist account with some landscaping on the side, and the specialty market is the right starting point.

Pricing Factors That Move Premium

Several factors drive significant premium variation across carriers for landscaping accounts:

Revenue and payroll — The primary rating basis for both GL and WC. A landscaper reporting $500K in revenue will see GL premiums from $2,500 to $5,000 depending on carrier and state. At $3M in revenue, that range widens to $8,000–$18,000.

Operation mix — Lawn care only is rated lower than full-service landscaping, which is rated lower than landscaping with hardscaping or tree work. The specific breakdown of revenue by operation type matters at every carrier.

Fleet size and driver records — Commercial auto is often the most expensive line for landscapers. A clean five-vehicle fleet might cost $8,000–$12,000. Add two drivers with violations and that number can double.

Equipment values — Inland marine premiums scale with total insured values. A typical three-crew landscaping operation with $150K–$300K in equipment will pay $1,500–$4,000 for a contractors equipment floater.

Claims history — Landscaping claims tend to be moderate in severity but frequent enough that carriers pay attention to loss history. Two or more GL claims in a three-year period can push an account out of standard markets entirely.

State — Workers comp rates vary dramatically by state. A landscaping company in California or New York pays significantly more than the same operation in Virginia or Indiana.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which carrier is best for a small lawn care business just starting out?

For a new lawn care operation with fewer than five employees and under $500K in revenue, biBERK or NEXT Insurance will deliver the fastest quote at competitive pricing. If you have a Hartford appointment, their small commercial BOP is equally competitive and gives you the advantage of a carrier relationship that scales as the client grows. The key consideration is whether the client plans to expand into services like hardscaping or tree work — if so, starting with Hartford or Acuity avoids a carrier change later.

Do landscapers need pollution liability?

Most standard GL policies exclude pollution-related claims, and landscapers who apply fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides have a genuine exposure. Chemical drift that damages a neighbor's garden or contaminates a water source falls outside the standard CGL. If your client does any chemical application, a pollution liability endorsement or separate policy is worth discussing. Carriers like Travelers and Acuity can sometimes add a limited pollution endorsement to the GL, while standalone pollution policies are available through specialty markets.

How should I handle a landscaper who also does snow removal?

Snow and ice management is a common secondary operation for landscapers, especially in northern states. Most carriers that write landscaping also accept snow removal as a secondary service — Hartford, Acuity, Travelers, Erie, and Westfield all accommodate it. The key underwriting question is whether the snow removal includes salting and de-icing (which adds a slip-and-fall exposure) and whether the client does snow plowing on public roads (which some carriers restrict). Make sure the snow removal revenue is disclosed on the application — failing to report it can lead to audit surprises and potential coverage disputes.

What if my landscaping client has been declined by standard markets?

If a landscaping account has been declined due to claims history, tree work, or the operation being too large or complex for standard carriers, the E&S market is the next step. Arrowhead General Insurance and BTIS both have contractor programs that accept landscaping risks declined by admitted carriers. Expect pricing to be significantly higher than standard markets — often 25–40% or more, but the coverage terms are generally comparable. For accounts with specific loss control issues, working with the client to implement safety programs and documenting those efforts can help move the account back to standard markets at the next renewal cycle.

Placing Landscaping Accounts Efficiently

The carrier selection for a landscaping account comes down to three questions: What services does the client perform? How large is the operation? And where are they located?

For a straightforward lawn care or general landscaping account under $3M in revenue, start with Hartford, biBERK, or your best regional carrier. For mid-size operations with diverse services, Travelers and Acuity should both see the submission. For anything involving tree care, go directly to the specialty market rather than wasting time with standard carriers that will decline it.

The agents who build a landscaping book efficiently are the ones who know their carriers' appetite boundaries before they start quoting — not after a declination two weeks into the process.