Business insurance • Michigan landscapers
Michigan Landscaping Contractor Insurance: Pesticide Business License and Coverage
Michigan has no statewide landscaping contractor license, so cities and townships set local rules. Landscapers who apply pesticides for the public need an MDARD pesticide application business license, a certified applicator, and general liability of at least $100,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage per occurrence. Workers’ compensation applies once a business meets Michigan’s employee thresholds.
This guide covers Michigan landscaping licenses, required coverage, and typical costs. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency licensed in Michigan, and a licensed agent can compare quotes for your landscaping business.
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Michigan pesticide application business license
Commercial applicators who offer pesticide application to the public for pay need an MDARD pesticide application business license. The business must be or employ a certified applicator in each category it offers, and employees who apply pesticides must be certified or registered technicians. The license costs $100 and expires December 31 each year (Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development).
| Coverage | Minimum per occurrence |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury | $100,000 |
| Property damage | $25,000 |
| Aerial, fumigation, and right-of-way | Also a $300,000 combined single limit |
Michigan workers’ compensation
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Three or more workers | Regularly employs three or more at one time, including part-time |
| One full-time worker | Regularly employs at least one worker 35+ hours a week for 13+ weeks in the past 52 weeks |
Coverage most Michigan 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 Michigan 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.
Michigan landscaping insurance FAQs
Does Michigan require a landscaping license?
Not for general landscaping, but pesticide application for the public needs an MDARD business license.
How much insurance does a Michigan pesticide business need?
At least $100,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage per occurrence.
When do Michigan landscapers need workers’ comp?
When they regularly employ three or more workers, or one worker full time for 13 weeks or more.
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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