Your Checklist Starts Here
You are a one-person landscaping business. You may need to show a certificate to someone who asks. You want to stay ready for any request. This checklist helps you track what you must keep, what you must change, and what you must check again. Use it every time something new happens to your work or your business.
What to Keep on File Always
- Your insurance certificate. This shows that your insurance is active. You may need to send it to a client, a city, or a building owner. Always keep it up to date.
- Your policy documents. These tell you what your insurance covers and what it does not. Save them on your phone or computer. Read them if you want to know exactly what your insurance will do.
- Proof of your business license. Some people ask for it when they want your certificate. Keep it with your insurance papers.
- Photos of your work. If something happens, these can help explain what you did. Keep them for at least a few years.
When Your Work Changes
If you start doing new work, tell your insurance company. For example, if you begin using a chainsaw or doing more tree work, your class code may change. The quote will show the code for your work. If you switch from mowing to tree work, you may need a new class code. Your insurance price may change too. Check your quote to see the right code for your new work. 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.
When a New Certificate Holder Joins
If someone else needs to see your certificate, you may need to send them a copy. Make sure your certificate is up to date before you send it. If your certificate is old, it may not match your current work. Keep it current so you can send it to anyone who asks. Always check that your certificate shows the right kind of work you do now.
What to Check Each Renewal
- Your class code. Your work type may change over time. Your quote will tell you if the code is right for you now. If you start doing different work, your code may not fit. Check it when you renew.
- Your state rules. Insurance rules can change. Your state's workers' compensation office can tell you what is needed in your state.
- Your work state. UNO sells in 14 states, so if you move your work to another state, check that it is one of them.
When You Hire Your First Helper
If you hire someone else to work with you, everything changes. 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. You must make sure your insurance is right for more than one person. Talk to your insurance company right away. A ghost policy will not pay for your helper's care if your helper gets hurt. Always tell your insurance company when you hire someone new. Your state's workers' compensation office can tell you what regular workers' comp requires where you work.
If You Want Coverage for Yourself
A ghost policy does NOT cover you, the owner. You reject coverage for yourself when you buy it, so it pays no medical bills or lost wages to you. It just proves coverage exists for your business. A 👻Ghost Policy never covers the owner; if you want coverage for yourself, you need regular workers' comp.
Check Your Coverage Dates
Your insurance has a start date and an end date. You must know these dates. If your work happens outside these dates, you may not be covered. Check the dates on your certificate and your policy. Make sure your work fits inside the coverage dates. If your insurance is about to end, you must renew it. You can get a new quote here to start a new policy. Do not work without active coverage — your insurance is only good when it is active.
More Things to Watch
- Changes in your business license. If you get a new license or your old one expires, your insurance may need to change. Always keep your license current.
- Changes in your business name. If you change your business name, your insurance may need to change too. Your certificate must show the right name. Always update your name with your insurance company when it changes.
