If you own a landscaping business, it’s important to have workers’ compensation insurance for your employees. Landscaping involves physical exertion, using heavy machinery, exposure to certain lawn care chemicals, and a range of other risks. But, don’t let these risks keep your business from succeeding! Workers’ compensation insurance for landscapers helps protect your business.
Let’s talk about who needs work comp and why you need it.
Landscaping Class Codes
Each state uses class codes to determine the risk associated with your landscaping business. Depending on what jobs your business offers and performs, you may be classified under a different class code. For instance, landscaping and lawn care businesses are classified under different codes, which sets them apart for state and insurance purposes.
The code 0042 is the code landscapers and landscaping business owners need to know. This code includes activities like laying out grounds, planting trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns.
For some states, the activities under code 0042 could be different. It’s important to know which class code applies to your business. If you don’t know your class code, you could be paying more in premium and not even know it. The best way to make sure you have the right class code and premium are to work with work comp professionals!
Here at Direct Work Comp, we know the ins and outs of class codes and workers’ compensation insurance for landscapers. We can help you determine your state’s class codes and regulations.
Why You Need Workers’ Comp For Your Landscaping Business
Let’s take a closer look at why you need workers’ compensation insurance for landscaping in the first place.
To Follow State Requirements
Most states require you to have workers’ compensation no matter the type of business you run. It’s always best to check your specific state’s requirements to know whether or not you need a workers’ comp policy for your landscaping business.
To Protect Your Landscaping Employees
The second reason why it’s critical to have workers’ compensation insurance for landscapers is to protect your employees. Whether you have one employee or fifty, you need a workers’ compensation policy.
Workers in the landscaping industry have a higher risk of serious injury than other fields, so it’s important to have the coverage you need. Some of the most common landscaping injuries are:
- Injuries from heavy machinery and landscaping tools. This could include tree trimmers, chainsaws, clippers, etc.
- Other accidental injuries from falling branches, lifting heavy objects or falling from trees.
- Electrical injuries involving nearby power lines and housing wires.
- Overexposure to pesticides and lawn chemicals.
This data notes the most common injuries for landscapers collected by the United States Department of Labor. While some of these injuries seem unlikely, they occur more than you think.
For example, let’s say you send a team of landscapers out to trim trees for a client. One of your team members comes in contact with an electrical line. That member then becomes electrocuted and falls from a tree, YIKES. They are rushed to the emergency room and the medical bills start piling up.
In this scenario, not having workers’ compensation insurance could result in out-of-pocket costs your business isn’t able to pay. It’s critical to have the right workers’ comp insurance for landscapers so you can protect your employees and make sure they have the best care possible.
To Protect Your Landscaping Business
Worker’s compensation insurance not only protects your employees from costly medical bills, but it also protects your business.
If you don’t have workers’ comp, you could be stuck paying hundreds of thousands in out-of-pocket costs. From medical costs for your employees to lost wages during their recovery, this can add up fast.
Not having workers’ compensation could also result in lawsuits from injured employees if you’re unable to pay, or even bankruptcy for your business in worst-case scenarios.
Streamline Work Comp for Your Landscaping Business
The world of workers’ compensation can be difficult to navigate. That’s why our experts are ready to help. With a team of professionals to help you purchase insurance easily, organize your landscaping business’ workers’ compensation program, and have access to a range of business features to help keep you and your employees ready for anything.
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