Yes, you need insurance before your first landscaping job
Some clients ask for proof of insurance the very first day. You must be ready. This article shows you what to do and in what order.
Landscapers are often asked to show proof of insurance before doing any work. Clients want to see a certificate before you start. But before you take your first job, you need to buy the right kind of insurance.
Your insurance is called a workers' compensation policy. It proves your business has insurance for work injuries. It does not pay if you damage someone's property. That is general liability, a different kind of insurance.
What steps to take before your first job
Decide what kind of work you do. For landscaping, you might cut grass, prune trees, or build gardens. This helps the insurance company decide the right price for you. A ghost policy can't cover work above 15 feet, so if any of your tree work goes that high, you need regular workers' comp instead.
Get your insurance quote. This is the actual price for your business. You can get it online in minutes. Start your quote.
Buy your policy. Once you get your quote, you can pay for the insurance 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 a certificate of insurance. This is proof that your business has insurance.
Save your certificate. Keep it ready in case a client asks for it. You can print it or show it on your phone.
What happens if you don't have insurance before your first job
If a client asks for proof of insurance and you do not have it, they may not let you work for them. This can make it hard to get jobs. Some clients will not even talk to you without proof.
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. Your state's workers' comp office can tell you that state's own rules.
Without proof of insurance, you could lose the job. That can cost you a lot of money. It is better to buy insurance before your first job.
What kind of insurance do you need
You need a workers' compensation policy. This is the kind of insurance that proves your business is covered when a client asks for proof.
A ghost policy is a type of workers' compensation policy. It is for businesses with no employees and no subcontractors. It proves your business has insurance. But it does not cover you, the owner, if you get hurt. You reject coverage for yourself when you buy it, so it pays no medical bills or lost wages to you. If you want a policy that pays you when you get hurt, you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy.
How to get your certificate of insurance
Once Cimarron issues your policy, you will get a certificate of insurance. This is a piece of paper or a digital file that shows your business has insurance. You can give it to clients when they ask.
Your certificate will show the type of insurance, the amount of coverage, the insurance company, and the dates it is valid for. It does not show all the details of your policy. If you need more details, look at your full policy documents.
Once Cimarron issues your policy, you can get your certificate. You can print it or download it. Keep it ready in case someone asks for it.
How long does it take
You can get your quote in minutes. Once you get your quote, you can pay for your policy by card. Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of your payment and signed documents. Then you get your certificate of insurance.
UNO sells ghost policies in 14 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota and Virginia. Your quote will tell you if your state is one of them.
It is best to get your insurance before your first job. That way, you are ready if someone asks for proof. You will not get caught off guard.
