Business insurance • Ohio landscapers
Ohio Landscaping Contractor Insurance: Pesticide Business Liability and BWC
Ohio has no statewide landscaping contractor license, so cities set local registration and permit rules. Landscapers who apply pesticides for hire need an Ohio Department of Agriculture commercial applicator business license, which requires general liability of at least $300,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, and $300,000 products and completed operations. Ohio employers buy workers’ compensation from the Ohio BWC.
This guide covers Ohio landscaping licenses, required coverage, and typical costs. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency licensed in Ohio, and a licensed agent can compare quotes for your landscaping business.
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Ohio pesticide business insurance minimums
| Coverage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Per occurrence | $300,000 |
| General aggregate | $300,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate | $300,000 |
Sources: Ohio Admin. Code 901:5-11-07, Ohio Rev. Code 921.10. The director of agriculture sets financial responsibility by pesticide-use category.
Ohio BWC workers’ compensation
Ohio employers with one or more employees must buy workers’ compensation from the Ohio BWC. The state fund does not include employer’s liability, so many contractors add stop-gap coverage to their general liability policy (Insureon (monopolistic states)).
Coverage most Ohio landscapers carry
- General liability: third-party injuries and property damage, such as a mower throwing a rock through a window or a client tripping over equipment.
- Business owner’s policy: general liability bundled with property coverage for your shop, yard, and supplies.
- Workers’ compensation: medical bills and lost wages if an employee is hurt, including mower and trimmer injuries, heat illness, and lifting strains.
- Commercial auto: trucks and trailers that haul crews, mowers, and materials.
- Tools and equipment (inland marine): mowers, trimmers, blowers, and skid steers on job sites or in transit.
- Commercial umbrella: extra limits on top of general liability and auto, often required by HOAs and commercial clients.
What Ohio landscapers pay
| Policy | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| General liability | $63 | $761 |
| Business owner’s policy | $92 | $1,101 |
| Workers’ compensation | $150 | $1,802 |
| Commercial auto | $299 | $3,590 |
| Tools and equipment | $53 | $637 |
| Commercial umbrella | $92 | $1,101 |
| License and permit bonds | $9 | $112 |
Costs for landscaping businesses that bought policies through Insureon, mostly businesses with fewer than five employees. General liability assumes $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. Your price depends on payroll, the work you do, claims history, and location.
Ohio landscaping insurance FAQs
Does Ohio require a landscaping license?
Not for general landscaping, but pesticide application for hire needs an Ohio Department of Agriculture business license.
How much insurance does an Ohio pesticide business need?
At least $300,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, and $300,000 products and completed operations.
Can I buy Ohio workers’ comp from a private insurer?
No. Ohio employers buy workers’ comp from the Ohio BWC, though stop-gap employer’s liability comes from private insurers.
Related guides
Important information
Compensation. The link in the partner quote box near the top of this page is sponsored, and Blake Insurance Group may be paid if you make a purchase. Sponsored placement does not affect the other information on this page.
Independent agency. Blake Insurance Group LLC is an independent insurance agency. Licensed insurance producer NPN 16944666. Licensed states: AZ, AL, TX, CA, NY, OH, FL, NC, VA, GA, OK, NM, IA, KS, MI, NE, SC, SD, WV, IL, NJ, PA, TN, and WA. Which insurance companies we can quote depends on our current appointments, the product, and your state. Mentioning a company on this page does not mean we represent it.
Cost figures. Published averages and ranges are cited from the sources named, as of the dates shown. They are not quotes and may not reflect your price, which depends on the insurer, your state, your payroll, the work you do, and your claims history.
Availability. Coverage, prices, discounts, and eligibility vary by insurer, state, and applicant, and are subject to underwriting. The issued policy controls.
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