How Much Does Landscape Designer Insurance Cost? 2026 Rates

Landscape designers in the United States typically spend between $480 and $720 per year on business insurance, which equals about $40 to $60 per month. These figures are only estimates, as actual premiums vary depending on the overall risk profile of the business. Several factors influence how much coverage will cost, including business size, annual revenue, location, services offered, number of employees, coverage limits, and value of equipment.

How Much Does Landscape Designer Insurance Cost?

On average, landscape designers in the United States spend between $480 and $720 annually on a full business insurance package. That equals about $40 to $60 per month. These figures are only estimates, and your actual premium may be higher or lower depending on your business setup.

Every landscape design business carries unique risks, so premiums vary widely. A solo designer working on simple garden plans will typically pay far less than a larger company that also manages construction projects and operates heavy equipment.

The services you provide, the size of your team, and your business location all play a major role in shaping costs. For example:

• Designers working in areas with higher accident or theft rates often face higher liability or property premiums.
• Firms that install retaining walls or use machinery generally pay more than those offering design-only consultations.

Several factors influence how much you’ll pay for coverage:

• Number of employees – More staff increases workers’ compensation and liability requirements.
• Property size and value – Larger offices or costly equipment raise property coverage costs.
• Claims history – Filing past claims often raises premiums, while a clean record can lower them.
• Business interruption and add-ons – Extra coverage options add to the total bill.

Understanding these variables helps landscape designers estimate insurance needs more accurately and budget for the real costs of protecting their business. With the right coverage, you can safeguard your employees, equipment, and reputation without overspending.

Average Landscape Designer Insurance Costs For Coverage Types

When it comes to protecting your landscape designer business, different types of insurance cover different risks. Understanding the average cost, coverage details, and what influences pricing for each policy type can help you build a more effective insurance plan. Here’s a closer look at the major coverages most landscape designers need.

• General liability insurance: $40 per month
• Business owner’s policy: $55 per month
• Workers’ compensation insurance: $41 per month
• Commercial auto insurance: $130 per month
• Professional liability insurance: $45 per month

General Liability Insurance

The average cost of general liability insurance for a landscape designer is about $40 per month.

General liability covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injuries. For example, if a client visits your worksite to review a design plan and trips over a hose, getting injured, this policy would help pay for their medical bills and your legal defense costs.

Typical policy limits are $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.

Factors that influence the cost include the business size, location, type of services you offer, previous claims history, and any additional insured endorsements you select.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: These estimates are based on average national General Liability Insurance premiums for landscape designer businesses, adjusted slightly for state-level differences. Actual premiums will vary depending on business size, annual revenue, scope of services (design-only vs. design + installation), claims history, geographic risks, and insurer underwriting practices.

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

The average cost of a business owner’s policy (BOP) is about $55 per month for landscape designers.

A BOP bundles general liability insurance with commercial property insurance. It protects against customer injuries, property damage, and loss or damage to your office tools, or equipment. For instance, if a fire damages your design studio and computers, or if your landscaping tools are stolen, the BOP would help cover the cost of repairs or replacements.

Typical policy limits are $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate for liability, with separate property coverage limits based on the value insured.

Cost factors include the property value, location risk (such as flood or crime rates), business revenue, and number of employees.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: These estimates are based on average national Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) premiums for landscape designer businesses, adjusted slightly for state-level differences. Actual premiums will vary depending on business size, property value, annual revenue, scope of services, claims history, geographic risks, and insurer underwriting practices.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

The average cost of workers’ compensation insurance for a landscape designer is around $41 per month.

Workers’ comp covers medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost wages for employees injured on the job. For example, if a landscape designer trips over site material during a project inspection and sprains their ankle, this insurance would help pay for their medical care.

Policy limits are regulated by each state, but typically include medical costs and a percentage of lost wages without a set cap.

Premiums are influenced by the size of your payroll, the type of work employees perform , your claims history, and any implemented safety programs.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: These estimates are based on average national Workers’ Compensation Insurance premiums for landscape designer businesses, adjusted slightly for state-level differences. Actual premiums will vary depending on payroll size, number of employees, scope of services (design-only vs. design + installation), claims history, geographic risks, and insurer underwriting practices.

Commercial Auto Insurance

The average cost of commercial auto insurance for a landscape designer is about $130 per month.

Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles owned or used by the business for accidents, theft, vandalism, or damage. For example, if one of your employees crashes a company truck while transporting plants and tools to a job site, this policy would help pay for vehicle repairs and any third party property or injury claims.

Factors influencing the cost include the number and type of vehicles, how often they are used, the driving records of employees, and whether you add endorsements like hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) for employee-owned vehicles used for deliveries.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: These estimates are based on average national Commercial Auto Insurance premiums for landscape designer businesses, adjusted slightly for state-level differences. Actual premiums will vary depending on the number of vehicles, driving records of employees, claims history, geographic risks, and insurer underwriting practices.

Professional Liability Insurance

The average cost of professional liability insurance for a landscape designer is about $45 per month.

Professional liability insurance protects your business if a customer claims you made a mistake, gave bad advice, or didn’t do the job properly, and it caused them a financial loss.

For example, if you create a landscape plan with improper drainage and the client’s garden floods after installation, they could sue you for negligence. This insurance would help cover your legal defense costs and any settlement or judgment you’re required to pay.

The cost of professional liability insurance depends on things like how much coverage you want, how big your business is, and the kind of services you provide.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: These estimates are based on average national Professional Liability Insurance premiums for landscape designer businesses, adjusted slightly for state-level differences. Actual premiums will vary depending on business size, scope of services (design-only vs. design + installation), claims history, geographic risks, and insurer underwriting practices.

Landscape Designer Business Insurance Costs By Provider

Landscape designer business insurance costs will vary greatly depending on the insurance carrier. Use the table below to find average costs across different providers.

Note: These estimates are based on average small business insurance costs for landscape designers, typically including general liability, professional liability (errors & omissions for design work), property coverage (tools, equipment, and office furnishings), and workers’ compensation. Actual premiums will vary depending on factors such as business size, number of employees, services offered (e.g., design-only vs. design + installation), location, claims history, and coverage limits.

What Factors Impact Your Landscape Designer Insurance Costs?

Insurance premiums for landscape designers are determined by underwriters who assess your business’s overall risk profile. Several factors—from the services you provide to the value of your equipment—play a role in shaping what you’ll pay for coverage.

Type Of Services

Not all landscape design work carries the same risks. Full-service firms that handle installations, hardscaping, or operate heavy equipment typically pay more than designers who focus solely on consultations or garden plans.

Use Of Equipment

The tools you rely on can raise premiums. Machinery such as mowers, excavators, or power tools increases the chance of accidents, property damage, or injury claims, which insurers factor into your rates.

Location

Where your business operates matters. Designers working in areas prone to theft, severe weather, or frequent liability claims often face higher property and liability costs. By contrast, businesses in low-risk suburban or rural areas usually benefit from lower premiums.

Size Of The Operation

The scale of your business directly impacts insurance costs. Larger firms with more employees, vehicles, or project sites are more likely to face claims. Workers’ compensation premiums also rise with bigger teams, especially when tasks are physically demanding.

Property, Tools, And Equipment Value

Owning high-value tools, vehicles, or office equipment increases commercial property coverage needs. Many designers add protection for equipment breakdown, theft, or replacement of specialized tools, which raises premiums but provides essential security.

How To Lower Your Landscape Designer Insurance Costs

Running a landscape design business can be costly, but your insurance premiums don’t have to overwhelm your budget. While coverage is essential, there are practical strategies to reduce expenses without sacrificing protection.

1. Bundle Your Policies

Combining multiple policies is one of the easiest ways to save. Many insurers offer a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) that packages general liability and property insurance at a reduced rate. Adding workers’ compensation through the same provider can unlock further discounts and simplify paperwork.

2. Ask About Discounts

Insurers often reward loyalty and upfront payments. You may qualify for reduced rates by signing a multi-year agreement or paying your premium in full instead of monthly installments.

3. Strengthen Safety Measures

Accidents drive up costs for both you and your insurer. Simple steps such as keeping worksites tidy, storing tools properly, using safety signage, and maintaining equipment like trimmers or mowers all help reduce liability risks. Demonstrating strong safety practices can lower premiums over time.

4. Build A Safer Work Environment

Workers’ compensation costs can be managed by focusing on employee safety. Training staff on proper lifting techniques, safe tool use, chemical handling, and emergency response reduces injuries. Fewer claims mean lower premiums.

5. Adjust Your Deductible

Opting for a higher deductible is a straightforward way to lower monthly premiums. Just ensure your business can comfortably cover the out-of-pocket amount if a claim arises.