Business insurance • Washington landscapers
Washington Landscaping Contractor Insurance: L&I Registration, $15,000 Bond, and Liability
Washington registers landscaping businesses with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) as specialty contractors. Registration costs $150.20 every two years and requires a $15,000 bond and liability insurance of $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or a $250,000 combined single limit. Pesticide work needs a separate WSDA license, and workers’ comp is bought from L&I.
This guide covers Washington landscaping licenses, required coverage, and typical costs. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency licensed in Washington, and a licensed agent can compare quotes for your landscaping business.
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L&I specialty contractor registration
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Registration | Specialty contractor for landscape systems; $150.20 every two years |
| Bond | $15,000 specialty contractor bond or assigned account |
| Liability insurance | $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit |
| Pesticides | Separate WSDA commercial applicator license, $250 a year, with its own financial responsibility rules |
Source: Contractor License Requirements (Washington landscaping guide). Local permits still apply to grading, irrigation, stormwater, and right-of-way work.
Washington workers’ compensation
Washington is a monopolistic state. Businesses with one or more employees must buy workers’ compensation from L&I, and 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 Washington 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 Washington 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.
Washington landscaping insurance FAQs
Do Washington landscapers need to register with L&I?
Yes. Landscaping is a specialty contractor registration with L&I.
How much insurance does a Washington landscaper need?
$200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or a $250,000 combined single limit, plus a $15,000 bond.
Can Washington landscapers buy private workers’ comp?
No. Washington employers buy workers’ comp from L&I, 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.
Your next step
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