Yes, a Landscaper Who Works Alone Can Get a Ghost Policy

If you are a landscaper and you work alone, you can get a ghost policy. A ghost policy is workers' compensation insurance that proves your business has coverage. It does not cover you, the owner, but it helps you send a certificate to the person who asked for it.

Most states need businesses to have workers' comp if they have employees. But if you work alone and someone asks for proof, a ghost policy can help. It shows the coverage exists, even if no one else is working for you. A ghost policy is for the owner only. That means no employees and no subcontractors of any kind, even subs who carry their own insurance or hand you a certificate. If anyone else works for you — an employee, a subcontractor, a 1099 worker, day labor, or a family member who helps — you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy.

What Is a Ghost Policy?

A ghost policy is a special type of workers' compensation insurance. It is for businesses that do not have employees. The insurance company sells it so you can hand over a certificate of insurance. It helps you satisfy the request for proof, even if no one else works for you.

A ghost policy does not cover you, the owner, if you get hurt. It is only to show proof of coverage to the client, contractor or landlord who asks for it. You reject coverage for yourself when you buy it, so the policy pays no medical bills or lost wages to you.

Why a Ghost Policy Is Useful for a Landscaper

As a landscaper, you might work with other businesses, like a home builder or a real estate agent. These businesses often ask for a certificate of insurance before they let you work with them. A ghost policy gives you the certificate you need, even if you do not have any employees.

A certificate of insurance is a paper that shows you have insurance. It tells the person who asks that your business has workers' comp. Many clients want it before you start work on their site.

How to Get a Ghost Policy

To get a ghost policy, you need to get a quote. The quote will give you the real price for your state and the kind of work you do. You will answer a few questions about your business, like the state you are in and the type of work you do. Work above 15 feet can't be covered by this program. If any of your landscaping work goes that high, such as tree work, you need regular workers' comp instead.

After you get your quote, you can pay for the policy by card. The premium is fully earned, so once the policy is issued there is no refund. Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of your payment and signed documents. Then you get the policy documents and the certificate of insurance. You can send the certificate to the person who asked for it.

What You Need to Know About Ghost Policies

Here are a few things to know about ghost policies:

What Happens If You Get Hurt?

If you get hurt while working, the policy will not help you. It pays no medical bills or lost wages to you, the owner. It is there to show proof of coverage to the person who asks for it, not to protect you.

Next Steps

If you are a landscaper and you need a certificate of insurance, a ghost policy might be right for you, as long as you work alone and none of your work, such as tree work, goes above 15 feet. It proves your business has coverage and helps you satisfy a request for proof. But remember, it does not cover you, the owner.

To get started, you can get your quote in minutes. Your quote will tell you the price and confirm if your state is allowed.