Business insurance • South Carolina landscapers
South Carolina Landscaping Contractor Insurance: Pesticide License, Coverage, and Costs
South Carolina has no statewide landscaping license; the state’s landscape architecture board does not regulate lawn services or landscape contractors. Landscapers who apply pesticides to other people’s property need a Clemson Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) commercial applicator license with proof of financial responsibility, and the license is suspended if insurance lapses. Employers with four or more workers must carry workers’ compensation.
This guide covers South Carolina landscaping licenses, required coverage, and typical costs. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency licensed in South Carolina, and a licensed agent can compare quotes for your landscaping business.
Request a South Carolina landscaping insurance quote
Tell us about your landscaping business and services, and a licensed agent will follow up. Submitting the form does not bind coverage.
If the form does not load, call 888-387-3687, Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00, or email info@blakeinsurancegroup.com.
Prefer to quote online yourself?
Start a business insurance quote online with one of our partners, without waiting for a call back.
Get a quote from ERGO NEXT →General liability, workers’ compensation, business owner’s policies, professional liability, and commercial auto.
Start an application with First Connect →Quotes from multiple insurance carriers through our First Connect portal.
Sponsored. Each link opens the partner’s website in a new tab, where its terms and privacy policy apply. Blake Insurance Group may be compensated if you buy.
South Carolina pesticide licensing
Applying pesticides in Category 3 (ornamental and turf) on another person’s property for pay needs a DPR commercial applicator license, with a $50 license fee after the exams. New applicants must show financial responsibility, and DPR suspends the license if insurance coverage lapses. Work that crosses into construction, irrigation, plumbing, or electrical trades can need other licenses (Contractor License Requirements (South Carolina landscaping guide)).
South Carolina workers’ compensation
Employers that regularly have four or more workers must carry workers’ compensation. Employers with a total annual payroll under $3,000 are exempt (SC Workers’ Compensation Commission).
Coverage most South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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.
South Carolina landscaping insurance FAQs
Does South Carolina require a landscaping license?
Not for general landscaping, but pesticide application for hire needs a DPR commercial applicator license.
Do South Carolina pesticide applicators need insurance?
Yes. Applicants must show financial responsibility, and the license is suspended if coverage lapses.
When do South Carolina landscapers need workers’ comp?
When they regularly have four or more workers, unless total annual payroll is under $3,000.
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
Tell us about your South Carolina landscaping business, and a licensed agent will compare quotes, or start a business insurance quote online with our partners.
