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Landscaping & Lawn Care Insurance in Ontario, Canada

Construction & Trade Insurance | Boardwalk Insurance — A Division of Oracle RMS

Landscaping and lawn care insurance is a commercial insurance program built for the specific exposures that come with working daily on other people's property — flying debris from mowers, underground utility strikes during excavation and planting, vehicle and trailer accidents on packed daily routes, equipment theft, and the seasonal transition into snow removal and ice management. Boardwalk Insurance helps landscaping businesses across Ontario access fast quotes from 30+ A-rated carriers and same-day certificate issuance. Serving all provinces except Quebec.

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What Is Landscaping & Lawn Care Insurance?

Landscaping and lawn care insurance is a commercial insurance program designed for businesses that maintain, design, install, and care for outdoor residential and commercial properties. It addresses the property damage, bodily injury, vehicle, equipment, and — for businesses that also do snow removal — winter liability exposures that landscaping operations create across a full working season.

What makes landscaping insurance distinct from generic contractor insurance is the combination of high-frequency, moderate-severity claims and a year-round operating calendar that changes risk profile between seasons. A mowing crew running 15 to 25 residential stops per day generates constant exposure to flying debris strikes on windows, fences, and vehicles. A landscape installation company doing hardscaping, excavation, and planting operates heavy equipment with strike-and-damage exposure to underground utilities, driveways, and adjacent property. A commercial property maintenance company serving strata corporations and shopping centres carries high-limit contractual requirements and slip-and-fall liability that extends through snow removal contracts into the winter months.

All of these operations require insurance — but they do not all require the same insurance. A solo lawn care operator and a full-service landscape design and construction company have very different risk profiles, equipment values, and contract requirements. A well-structured landscaping insurance program is built around what your business actually does, not a one-size-fits-all contractor policy.

The Year-Round Insurance Reality for Ontario Landscapers

Many Ontario landscaping businesses are not seasonal operations in the insurance sense, even if their revenue skews toward summer. A company that mows lawns from May to November and plows snow from November to April is a year-round operating business with two distinct liability profiles that must both be covered under the same policy or under coordinated policies with no gaps between them.

Snow removal is not automatically included in a landscaping CGL policy. This is one of the most common and most costly coverage gaps in the trade. Many landscapers assume that because their summer operations are covered, their winter snow removal work is covered under the same policy. It is not. Snow removal creates a distinct liability exposure — slip-and-fall claims on commercially maintained properties, property damage from plow blades, salt and sand chemical damage — that most insurers treat as a separate operation requiring explicit disclosure and endorsement. A landscaper who plows snow under a policy that does not specifically include winter operations has no coverage for any snow-related claim.

Who Needs Landscaping & Lawn Care Insurance in Ontario?

Any business or individual that performs landscaping, lawn maintenance, hardscaping, tree care, or grounds maintenance services for residential or commercial clients in Ontario needs landscaping insurance. The following types are the most common:

Solo Lawn Care Operators

Self-employed operators running a one-person mowing, trimming, and basic maintenance operation. Even at small scale, a solo operator is exposed to flying debris claims, third-party injury claims, and vehicle incidents every working day. Property management companies and strata corporations — which are among the most accessible commercial accounts for a growing lawn care business — uniformly require proof of CGL insurance before awarding a maintenance contract. A solo operator without insurance cannot bid those accounts.

Residential Landscaping Companies

Landscaping companies that specialize in residential maintenance — lawn mowing, edging, fertilization, aeration, seasonal cleanup, hedge trimming, and garden maintenance — across a client base of homeowners and residential property managers. These businesses operate high-frequency routes with multiple properties per day, which means high aggregate exposure across the season. A single flying stone event that cracks a patio door generates a $2,500 claim; multiply that across a large client base and the importance of CGL becomes clear.

Landscape Design and Installation Companies

Companies that design and build outdoor spaces — interlock driveways, patios, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, natural stone features, garden beds, and plant material installation — operate at the intersection of landscaping and construction risk. Installing a retaining wall requires excavation. Laying an interlock driveway involves removing and disposing of the existing surface. Planting mature trees involves digging to significant depth near utilities, foundations, and irrigation systems. Design and installation companies carry both the ongoing maintenance exposures of a lawn care business and the construction-specific exposures of a contractor — and need a CGL policy that covers both.

Commercial Property Maintenance Contractors

Landscapers who maintain commercial properties — office parks, industrial facilities, retail plazas, strata complexes, condominiums, and shopping centres — face materially higher insurance requirements than those serving residential clients. Commercial property management contracts routinely require $2 million to $5 million in CGL, Additional Insured endorsements naming the property owner or management company, Waiver of Subrogation, and Primary and Non-Contributory wording. These contracts also carry higher per-incident liability exposure because the properties they service have high foot traffic, high-value landscaping, and institutional clients who are prepared to pursue claims aggressively.

Tree Care and Arborist Services

Tree removal, pruning, stump grinding, and arborist consulting involve elevated risk compared to standard landscape maintenance. Falling tree limbs can damage structures, vehicles, and utility lines. Stump grinders and chippers create projectile exposure. Tree removals near power lines involve coordination with utilities and exposure to electrocution hazards. Tree care operations are classified by underwriters as a distinct and elevated risk within the landscaping trade, and some standard landscaping insurance markets exclude or limit coverage for tree work above a certain height. Landscapers who perform tree removal or significant pruning must confirm that their policy explicitly covers arborist and tree care operations.

Irrigation and Sprinkler System Specialists

Landscapers who install, maintain, and winterize irrigation and sprinkler systems face water damage liability that standard mowing operations do not. An improperly installed or inadequately winterized irrigation system can fail during a freeze, flooding a client's basement or damaging a foundation. An incorrectly programmed irrigation controller can over-water a lawn to the point of damaging grass, plant material, and soil structure. Irrigation specialists need to confirm their CGL covers completed operations claims arising from sprinkler system failures — particularly freeze damage — that emerge in the months following their work.

Snow Removal and Ice Management Contractors

Landscaping companies that transition to snow removal in winter carry a distinct insurance profile during that period. Slip-and-fall claims on commercially maintained properties are among the most expensive liability claims in the service industry. A single serious slip-and-fall injury on an icy commercial walkway can generate a claim of $50,000 to $200,000 or more, depending on the severity of the injury and the nature of the obligation the contractor assumed under the snow removal contract. Snow removal contracts — particularly for commercial and strata properties — typically include specific service level requirements (clearance times, salting protocols, documentation obligations) whose breach can directly affect coverage. For the full treatment of snow removal insurance, see Snow Removal Contractor Insurance.

What Does Landscaping & Lawn Care Insurance Cover?

1. Commercial General Liability (CGL)

CGL is the foundation of every landscaping business's insurance program. It protects against third-party claims for bodily injury and property damage arising from your landscaping operations, equipment, and — through completed operations coverage — work that you have already finished.

For landscapers, CGL must cover a wide range of common operational exposures: flying debris from mowers and trimmers, property damage from equipment contacting fences, vehicles, and structures, and third-party injuries from trip hazards created by equipment and materials on client properties. It also needs to cover completed operations — a lawn treated with the wrong herbicide that kills a client's garden a week after application, an irrigation system that floods a basement three months after installation, or a retaining wall that fails after a spring freeze-thaw cycle.

What CGL covers for landscapers:

Typical CGL limits for landscapers in Ontario:

The flying debris gap many landscapers overlook: Standard CGL policies sometimes include a sublimit or exclusion for "sudden and accidental damage" caused by powered equipment. Landscapers who use commercial mowers at high operating speeds — especially zero-turn and ride-on equipment — should confirm their policy does not contain a mowing-specific exclusion or sublimit that would cap their coverage on the most common category of claim they face.

2. Commercial Auto Insurance

Landscaping businesses are vehicle-intensive operations. Trucks and vans drive loaded routes daily, towing trailers carrying mowers, equipment, and materials. The commercial auto exposure for a landscaping company is among the highest of any service trade — high daily mileage, heavy loads, frequent backing manoeuvres in tight residential driveways, and regular highway driving while towing large equipment trailers.

Personal auto policies exclude commercial use entirely. A landscaper who uses a personal truck to tow a mowing trailer to client properties — even part-time — is uninsured for any accident that occurs in the course of that business use. Commercial auto for landscapers must cover the truck or van itself, the trailer, and the contents of the trailer during transit.

What commercial auto covers:

Backing accidents and trailers: A significant proportion of landscaping auto claims involve backing incidents — backing a truck and trailer into a parked vehicle in a client's driveway, backing over a low fence, or clipping a mailbox while manoeuvring on a narrow residential street. Commercial auto coverage for these incidents is standard, but landscapers should confirm that trailer liability and trailer physical damage are both explicitly included in their policy, as some commercial auto policies exclude trailers without a specific endorsement.

3. Equipment and Tools Coverage

Landscaping equipment represents one of the largest capital investments a landscaping business makes. A fully equipped residential lawn care operation — zero-turn mower, walk-behind mower, string trimmers, leaf blowers, push blowers, edgers, hedge trimmers, hand tools, and a trailer to carry it all — can represent $20,000 to $60,000 in replacement value. A commercial landscape installation company operating skid steers, mini excavators, compactors, and specialty hardscaping tools can easily carry $100,000 or more in equipment value.

Equipment and tools coverage (Inland Marine or Equipment Floater) protects these assets against theft, physical damage, and loss whether they are on a client's property, loaded in a trailer, in storage, or in transit. Equipment theft from trailers is a significant and growing problem in Ontario — a landscaping trailer parked on the street or at a storage yard overnight is a target for organized equipment theft.

What equipment and tools coverage covers:

Equipment breakdown: Equipment coverage (theft and physical damage) is distinct from Equipment Breakdown coverage (sudden mechanical or electrical failure). A mower that is stolen is covered under an equipment floater. A mower that seizes due to an internal engine failure is not — that requires Equipment Breakdown coverage, which is typically an add-on. For landscaping businesses that depend on commercial-grade mowing equipment throughout a short operating season, Equipment Breakdown coverage can prevent a mechanical failure from becoming a scheduling catastrophe.

4. Snow Removal Coverage

Snow removal and ice management liability is categorically different from summer landscaping liability — and it must be separately disclosed and covered. The three specific exposures that make snow removal a distinct insurance category are:

Slip-and-fall liability: Property managers who contract landscapers for snow removal typically require the contractor to assume responsibility for maintaining safe conditions on the property during winter. If a tenant, visitor, or customer slips and falls on an icy surface that the contractor was responsible for maintaining, the resulting injury claim falls on the contractor's liability policy. These claims can be severe — a serious fall on ice can cause hip fractures, spinal injuries, and head injuries that generate claims in the $50,000 to $300,000 range. Commercial property snow removal contracts often specify minimum response times, salting protocols, and documentation requirements; a contractor who fails to meet those service levels and then faces a slip-and-fall claim may find their insurer arguing reduced liability on grounds of contract non-compliance.

Property damage from plowing: Plow blades operating in reduced visibility, across unfamiliar property layouts, or in heavy snowfall conditions frequently strike curbs, bollards, landscaping features, underground infrastructure, and building components. Property damage from plowing operations — broken light posts, damaged curb edges, scraped building facades, cracked irrigation line covers — generates frequent minor claims that accumulate across a winter season and occasional major claims when structural elements are struck.

Salt and chemical damage: Aggressive salting on commercial properties can cause chemical damage to concrete, interlocking stone, vehicle undercarriages, and landscaping. Property owners who suffer salt damage to expensive hardscaping or plant material may pursue the snow removal contractor for the replacement cost. Salt and chemical damage claims are typically covered under CGL, but some policies contain exclusions for gradual deterioration from chemical application that must be reviewed carefully.

5. Contractor's Equipment — Heavy Landscaping Equipment

Landscaping companies that operate heavier equipment for design and installation work — skid steer loaders, mini excavators, compact track loaders, stump grinders, aerators, and sod cutters — need equipment coverage that goes beyond what a standard tools floater provides. Contractors' Equipment coverage schedules high-value equipment individually and provides appropriate replacement cost coverage for machinery that can cost $20,000 to $80,000 per unit.

Heavy equipment that is rented for occasional use can typically be covered under a Rented Equipment endorsement on an existing equipment policy, rather than requiring the landscaper to purchase a standalone policy for an infrequently used machine.

6. Commercial Umbrella / Excess Liability

A Commercial Umbrella policy provides additional liability limits above the primary CGL. For landscaping companies that serve commercial property management accounts, strata corporations, or municipal parks and public spaces, the standard $2 million primary CGL limit may be insufficient. Commercial property management contracts frequently specify $5 million in combined liability as a condition of contract award. An Umbrella policy at $3 million above a $2 million primary CGL achieves $5 million combined at a fraction of the cost of a $5 million primary policy.

7. Pollution Liability

Landscaping businesses that apply fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides as part of their service scope face a pollution liability exposure that standard CGL policies typically exclude. A standard CGL contains a pollution exclusion that can be broad enough to include pesticide and herbicide drift, runoff into storm drains, and chemical damage to adjacent plant material or water features. Landscapers who provide chemical application services — whether directly or as part of a lawn care package — should confirm with their broker whether their CGL covers or excludes pollution incidents arising from pesticide and herbicide use, and consider a Pollution Liability endorsement or standalone policy if that coverage is absent.

Coverage Comparison: Landscaping Business Types

Business Type CGL Commercial Auto Equipment Coverage Snow Removal Umbrella Pollution Liability
Solo Lawn Care Operator Required Required Required If applicable Rarely If chemicals used
Residential Landscaping Company Required Required Required If applicable Recommended If chemicals used
Design & Installation Landscaper Required Required Required Rarely Recommended If chemicals used
Commercial Property Maintenance Required Required Required Often Required Often Required If chemicals used
Tree Care / Arborist Required (tree work confirmed) Required Required Rarely Recommended Rarely
Irrigation Specialist Required Required Required Rarely Rarely Rarely
Snow Removal Contractor Required (winter ops confirmed) Required Required Required Recommended Rarely

Common Landscaping Insurance Claims in Ontario

Flying Debris Strikes on Windows and Property

Flying debris from mowers and trimmers is the single most frequent category of landscaping liability claims in Ontario. High-speed rotary mower blades and string trimmers operating at commercial speeds can project stones, sticks, seed pods, and debris at velocities sufficient to shatter windows, crack siding, dent vehicles, and injure bystanders. A single mowing route of 15 residential properties per day generates dozens of opportunities for a debris strike, and the cumulative claim frequency across a full season can be substantial.

Example: A commercial zero-turn mower throws a piece of gravel through a client's sliding patio door during a routine residential cut. Glass replacement and frame repair total $2,800. The homeowner files a claim the same day. The operator's CGL responds quickly.

Coverage responds: Commercial General Liability (CGL)

Third-Party Injury from Trip Hazards

Landscaping operations regularly create temporary hazards on client properties — hoses and extension cords across walkways, equipment parked on access paths, soil and mulch staged on driveways, and recently edged turf edges that create step-down hazards. A homeowner, visitor, or passerby injured by any of these conditions can generate a bodily injury claim that includes medical costs, physiotherapy, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Example: A homeowner walking from their front door to the garage steps on a freshly edged lawn edge in the dark after the landscaping crew has finished, catching a toe on the raised concrete edge and falling forward. The resulting wrist fracture and shoulder injury generates a claim totalling $22,000, including physiotherapy and limited lost income.

Coverage responds: Commercial General Liability (CGL)

Underground Utility Strike During Digging or Planting

Landscaping work that involves any soil disturbance — planting trees and shrubs, installing edging, digging for irrigation systems, hardscaping excavation, or auger use for post installation — carries the risk of striking buried utilities. Ontario regulations require contractors to contact Ontario One Call (on1call.ca) and obtain utility locates before any digging. A strike against a buried gas line, water main, electrical conduit, or telecommunications cable can cause emergency repair costs, service disruption charges, and — in the case of gas line strikes — serious safety incidents.

Example: A landscaping crew installing a fence post line in a residential backyard strikes a low-pressure gas line not reflected on the Ontario One Call locate. The gas utility attends for emergency repairs, the property is evacuated, and total remediation costs including line repair, sodding, and fence removal total $14,500. The crew had requested locates but the utility's markings did not extend to the full line path.

Coverage responds: Commercial General Liability (CGL)

Vehicle and Trailer Backing Accidents

Backing a loaded landscaping truck and trailer in residential driveways, narrow laneways, and parking lots is one of the highest-frequency claim scenarios in the landscaping trade. Limited visibility when towing a trailer, unfamiliar driveway layouts at new client properties, and time pressure on dense daily routes all increase the likelihood of a backing incident. Struck vehicles, damaged fences, clipped mailboxes, and cracked interlock driveways are all common results.

Example: A landscaping crew backs their truck and trailer into a client's driveway and makes contact with a parked vehicle belonging to the client's visitor. The backing causes $7,200 in vehicle damage. The operator's commercial auto policy responds; the trailer is covered under the same policy's trailer endorsement.

Coverage responds: Commercial Auto Insurance

Equipment Trailer Theft

Landscaping trailers are a high-value, highly visible theft target. An enclosed or open trailer loaded with commercial mowing equipment is identifiable from the street, and the equipment inside is readily resaleable. Trailer theft in Ontario occurs most frequently overnight when trailers are left at operators' homes, storage yards, or commercial premises without surveillance. A fully loaded mowing trailer can represent $15,000 to $50,000 in replacement equipment, and the operational disruption during replacement is compounded in peak season when every lost day means missed client visits.

Example: A sole operator's open trailer loaded with a zero-turn mower, two string trimmers, a backpack blower, hand tools, and safety equipment is stolen overnight from the operator's residential driveway. Replacement cost of all equipment totals $31,000. The equipment floater responds minus the deductible; the trailer hull is covered under the commercial auto policy.

Coverage responds: Equipment and Tools Coverage (trailer contents); Commercial Auto (trailer hull)

Herbicide and Pesticide Application Damage

Landscapers who apply herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers carry chemical application exposure that standard CGL policies frequently exclude under the pollution exclusion. Herbicide drift onto a neighbour's garden — particularly broad-spectrum herbicides applied on a windy day — can kill or damage ornamental plant material. Over-application of fertilizer can burn lawns. Pesticide application near a client's water feature can harm pond fish and aquatic plants. These claims often arise after the landscaper has left the property and only become apparent days later as plant material responds.

Example: A lawn care company applies a pre-emergent herbicide on a residential property. Wind drift carries the herbicide into the neighbour's flower bed, killing an established perennial garden including mature hosta plantings and ornamental grasses. Replacement value of plant material and installation labour totals $4,800. The landscaper's standard CGL contains a pollution exclusion. The claim is denied. The landscaper pays out of pocket.

Coverage responds: Pollution Liability endorsement or standalone policy — not standard CGL

Slip-and-Fall on Snow Removal Contract Property

For landscaping businesses that provide winter snow removal under commercial maintenance contracts, slip-and-fall claims on properties they service are a serious and recurring liability exposure. When a tenant, visitor, or customer slips and falls on a property the contractor was contracted to maintain in safe, ice-free condition, the contractor faces direct liability for the resulting injuries. These claims can range from minor injuries resolved for a few thousand dollars to severe falls involving hip replacements, spinal injuries, and long-term disability claims that reach $100,000 to $300,000 or more.

Example: A commercial property maintenance contractor holds a snow removal contract for a four-building strata complex. During a freezing rain event, a thin ice layer forms on the main entrance walkway overnight. A resident falls at 7:00 AM before the contractor's response crew arrives, sustaining a hip fracture requiring surgery and a three-month recovery. The resulting claim — medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering — totals $140,000. The contractor's CGL, with winter operations explicitly endorsed, responds.

Coverage responds: Commercial General Liability (CGL) — with snow removal operations explicitly included in the policy

Retaining Wall and Hardscape Failure

Landscape installation companies that build retaining walls, interlock patios, and structural hardscape features carry a completed operations exposure that surfaces months or years after installation, particularly following the first winter freeze-thaw cycle. An improperly constructed retaining wall — insufficient base compaction, inadequate drainage, incorrect block selection for the height of the installation — can begin to bow, lean, or collapse within a year or two of installation. A failed retaining wall that damages a neighbouring property, a pool, or a vehicle parked below it generates a completed operations claim that can be substantial.

Example: A landscape installation company builds a 1.2-metre interlocking retaining wall along the rear property line of a residential client's yard. The following spring, after a severe freeze-thaw season, the wall begins to lean significantly and a section collapses, damaging the fence it was built alongside. Engineering review reveals the base was inadequately compacted and drainage was insufficient. Demolition, reconstruction, and fence repair total $19,500. The installer's completed operations coverage responds.

Coverage responds: Commercial General Liability (CGL) — Completed Operations

Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping & Lawn Care Insurance in Ontario

What insurance does a landscaping business need in Ontario?

A landscaping business in Ontario typically needs Commercial General Liability (CGL) at a minimum of $2 million per occurrence for third-party property damage and bodily injury claims; Commercial Auto insurance for any truck, van, or trailer used for business purposes; and Equipment and Tools coverage for the theft and physical damage of mowers, trimmers, blowers, and other equipment. If the business provides snow removal services, winter operations must be explicitly endorsed on the CGL — snow removal is not automatically included. Landscapers who apply pesticides or herbicides should also consider Pollution Liability coverage, as standard CGL policies frequently exclude chemical application claims under the pollution exclusion.

Is snow removal automatically covered under my landscaping insurance?

No — and this is the most important coverage gap in the landscaping trade. Snow removal is not automatically included in a standard landscaping CGL policy. Snow and ice management creates a distinct liability profile — slip-and-fall claims on commercially maintained properties, property damage from plow blades, and salt damage — that most insurers treat as a separate operation requiring explicit disclosure and a specific endorsement. Landscaping companies that transition to snow removal in winter must inform their broker and confirm in writing that winter operations are covered under their active policy. Operating a snow removal contract under a landscaping policy that does not include winter operations leaves the contractor fully exposed to any winter claim.

How much does landscaping insurance cost in Ontario?

Landscaping insurance premiums in Ontario typically range from $600 to $2,500 per year for a basic CGL policy for a sole operator or small residential landscaping company. Adding commercial auto coverage for a single truck adds $1,500 to $4,000 per year. Equipment coverage costs vary based on total insured equipment value. A fully equipped residential landscaping company with a truck, trailer, and $40,000 in equipment might pay $3,000 to $6,000 per year across a complete program. Commercial property maintenance companies with higher contract requirements and larger equipment inventories will pay more. Comparing quotes across multiple carriers through Boardwalk Insurance typically produces the most competitive pricing for a given operation type and service scope.

Does commercial auto cover my landscaping trailer?

Trailer coverage depends on how your commercial auto policy is written. Some commercial auto policies automatically include trailers; others require a specific trailer endorsement or list the trailer as a scheduled vehicle. The policy should cover both the trailer hull itself (physical damage) and the trailer's third-party liability (damage caused by the trailer to other vehicles or property while being towed). The contents of the trailer — your mowing equipment — are typically covered under your equipment floater, not under the auto policy. Confirm both coverages are in place to avoid a gap where the trailer is insured but the equipment inside it is not.

Does landscaping insurance cover herbicide and pesticide damage?

Standard CGL policies contain a pollution exclusion that is often interpreted broadly enough to exclude claims arising from herbicide drift, pesticide over-application, and fertilizer burn. Whether a specific chemical application claim is covered under a standard CGL depends on the exact policy language and the insurer's interpretation. Landscapers who regularly apply chemicals as part of their service scope — lawn fertilization programs, weed control, pest management — should specifically confirm with their broker whether chemical application claims are covered or excluded under their policy, and should add a Pollution Liability endorsement or standalone policy if the standard CGL excludes this exposure.

Do I need insurance if I only do residential lawn mowing?

Yes. Residential mowing operations generate real liability exposure every working day — flying debris, property damage, third-party injuries from trip hazards, and vehicle incidents during route driving. Residential homeowners are increasingly requiring proof of insurance from service providers before they sign a recurring maintenance agreement. Property management companies that oversee residential tenancies universally require it. The cost of a single uninsured flying debris claim — a broken window, a cracked patio door — can exceed the annual premium for a basic CGL policy. Any landscaping business, regardless of size or client type, should carry at minimum a CGL policy.

What is the difference between equipment coverage and equipment breakdown coverage?

Equipment coverage (Inland Marine or Equipment Floater) protects your equipment against theft, physical damage, and accidental loss — external causes. Equipment breakdown coverage protects against sudden and accidental internal mechanical or electrical failure — the equipment simply stops working. A mower stolen from a trailer is covered under equipment coverage. A mower engine that seizes due to an internal failure is covered under equipment breakdown coverage. The two coverages are complementary, not duplicative. Landscaping businesses whose operations depend on commercial-grade mowing equipment throughout a compressed seasonal window should carry both, as a mechanical failure in peak season creates both an equipment replacement cost and an operational disruption that equipment breakdown coverage can help address.

Can I get seasonal landscaping insurance in Ontario?

Most landscaping insurance policies are written on an annual basis, including during the off-season months when operations are limited. However, some insurers offer seasonal premium adjustments or payment structures that accommodate lower activity in winter months for landscapers who do not perform snow removal. If your business genuinely stops operations for several months per year, discuss this with your broker — there may be options to adjust premium accordingly. However, if you transition to snow removal in winter, a year-round policy with seasonal endorsements for both summer and winter operations is typically more appropriate and more cost-effective than attempting to start and stop coverage seasonally.

What CGL limit do I need for commercial property maintenance contracts?

Most commercial property management contracts and strata corporation agreements in Ontario require a minimum of $2 million per occurrence in CGL. Many larger institutional and municipal contracts specify $5 million per occurrence, typically achieved through a $2 million primary CGL combined with a $3 million Commercial Umbrella. Always review the insurance requirements section of any commercial maintenance contract before bidding. Contract requirements override general industry minimums, and carrying less than the required limit is a breach of contract even if your policy otherwise satisfies your own risk assessment. Property management companies often request proof of insurance annually and will not renew maintenance agreements with contractors who carry inadequate limits.

Does landscaping insurance cover tree removal?

Coverage for tree removal and arborist work depends on the specific insurer and policy. Some standard landscaping CGL policies exclude tree removal above a specified height (commonly 12 to 15 feet from grade), classify tree work as a separate higher-risk operation requiring disclosure, or limit coverage to tree trimming and pruning below a certain scale. Landscapers who perform tree removal, significant crown pruning, or work near power lines must disclose this work to their broker and confirm in writing that the policy covers tree care operations. An undisclosed tree removal operation that results in a dropped limb damaging a structure or vehicle may be treated as a material misrepresentation and could result in claim denial.

How fast can I get a certificate of insurance for a new commercial contract?

Boardwalk Insurance issues Certificates of Insurance (ACORD 25) the same business day for active policyholders — including Additional Insured endorsements, Waiver of Subrogation, and Primary and Non-Contributory wording as required by commercial property management contracts. For new clients, most landscaping insurance quotes are returned within one business day and coverage can be bound immediately, with the certificate issued the same day. Contact us directly at +1-416-477-9771 for urgent certificate requests when a contract award is time-sensitive.

Why Landscaping Businesses Choose Boardwalk Insurance

Boardwalk Insurance is a RIBO-registered commercial insurance broker and a division of Oracle RMS. We specialize in contractor and trade insurance, with direct experience placing coverage for residential lawn care operators, commercial landscape maintenance companies, design and installation firms, and integrated landscaping and snow removal businesses across Ontario and nationally. We access 30+ A-rated Canadian carriers — including Intact, Aviva, Economical, Northbridge, Chubb, Travelers, CNA, and Gore Mutual.

Advisors Who Understand Seasonal Business Risk

You work directly with licensed Ontario brokers who understand the seasonal nature of landscaping insurance — including the critical requirement that snow removal must be explicitly added to a landscaping policy, not assumed to be included. We structure programs that cover your full operating year, both summer and winter, without gaps between seasons.

Coverage for the Full Scope of What You Do

Many landscaping businesses evolve from basic mowing into hardscaping, irrigation, tree care, and chemical application over time. We build insurance programs that match your actual service scope — not a generic contractor policy that may contain undisclosed exclusions for the specific operations you perform most often.

Same-Day Certificates for New Commercial Contracts

We issue contract-ready Certificates of Insurance the same business day — including Additional Insured endorsements and all wording required by property management and strata contracts. Landscapers who win a new commercial maintenance contract need their certificate quickly to confirm the award.

Competitive Pricing Across 30+ Carriers

We compare your submission across more than 30 A-rated carriers to find the best pricing for your specific operation — residential, commercial, design-build, or mixed. Our carrier relationships regularly produce pricing that landscaping businesses cannot obtain by approaching insurers directly.

Claims Advocacy

When a claim arises — a flying debris strike, an equipment theft, a slip-and-fall on a snow removal property — our team advocates on your behalf from first notice of loss through settlement, ensuring your insurer meets its obligations efficiently.

Trusted by Canada's Leading Insurance Carriers

Related Insurance for Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Businesses

Where We Serve Landscaping Businesses

Boardwalk Insurance is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario — in the heart of one of Ontario's most active landscaping and property maintenance markets — and serves landscaping businesses across the GTA, Southern Ontario, and all Canadian provinces except Quebec.

Ontario Markets We Serve

Toronto | Mississauga | Vaughan | Oakville | Hamilton | Kitchener | Brampton | Markham | Richmond Hill | Burlington | Guelph | London | Ottawa | Windsor | Sudbury | Thunder Bay

National Coverage

We also serve landscaping and lawn care businesses in Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton), British Columbia (Vancouver, Victoria), Manitoba (Winnipeg), Saskatchewan (Regina, Saskatoon), Nova Scotia (Halifax), Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John's), and New Brunswick. Coverage is available in all Canadian provinces and territories except the Province of Quebec.

Get a Landscaping Insurance Quote Today

Whether you are a solo lawn care operator or a multi-crew commercial property maintenance company, Boardwalk Insurance builds landscaping insurance programs that cover your actual operations — summer and winter — satisfy your commercial contract requirements, and protect your equipment and livelihood from the claims that the trade generates season after season.

We compare quotes from 30+ A-rated Canadian carriers with no obligation, and most landscaping businesses receive a quote within one business day.

Speak with a licensed landscaping insurance advisor at +1-416-477-9771 or email sales@myboardwalk.ca. Our office is at 10 Great Gulf Dr, Suite 202, Vaughan, ON L4K 0K7. Business hours are Monday to Friday, 9AM to 5PM EST.

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