Question 1

What insurance does a gardener need?

Accepted Answer

Most gardeners start with public liability insurance, which covers injury to a client or member of the public and damage to their property caused by your work, such as a stone thrown by a strimmer breaking a window. Tools and equipment cover protects your mowers, strimmers, hedge cutters and hand tools against theft and damage, and if you use a van for work it needs business use on its motor policy. Employers liability becomes a legal requirement as soon as anyone works for you, even part time. Personal accident cover is worth considering if you work alone and would lose income after an injury.

Question 2

Do gardeners legally need insurance?

Accepted Answer

Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement for gardeners, but most commercial clients, councils, estates, letting agents and many householders ask to see it before you start. Employers liability is different: if you employ anyone, including a helper, apprentice or family member on your payroll, the law requires it with a minimum limit of five million pounds. Any vehicle you drive for work must also be insured for business use.

Question 3

Can I be sued as a sole trader?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a sole trader there is no legal separation between you and your business, so a claim for injury or damage caused by your gardening work is made against you personally, and your savings and home can be at risk if you cannot pay. Public liability insurance responds to that claim: it pays the compensation awarded and the legal costs of defending it, up to the limit on your policy and subject to its terms and exclusions.

Question 4

Does gardeners insurance cover damage caused by a strimmer or mower?

Accepted Answer

Accidental damage to someone else's property caused by your work, for example a stone thrown by a mower or strimmer that cracks a window or chips a car, is the kind of claim public liability insurance is designed for. It does not pay to put right poor workmanship itself, such as a lawn you need to returf, and damage to property in your own care can be restricted, so check the wording and tell us the work you actually do.

Question 5

Are my mowers and tools covered if they are stolen from my van?

Accepted Answer

They can be, through tools and equipment cover, but theft from an unattended vehicle is one of the most tightly worded parts of these policies. Many insurers only pay where the van was locked and there are visible signs of forced entry, and some restrict or exclude tools left in a vehicle overnight unless it is garaged or fitted with extra security. Ride-on mowers and larger machinery may need to be listed individually. Tell us how and where your equipment is stored so the cover matches it.

Question 6

Is tree work or hedge cutting at height covered?

Accepted Answer

Routine hedge cutting and pruning is normally within a gardener's policy, but many insurers set a maximum working height and exclude tree felling, climbing and chainsaw work unless it is declared and accepted. If you carry out tree surgery you are likely to need an arborist policy instead. Declare any work at height, chainsaw use and stump grinding when you ask for a quote, because undeclared activities are a common reason for a claim to be refused.

Question 7

Does it cover landscaping work such as patios, walls and fencing?

Accepted Answer

Hard landscaping can usually be included if you declare it, and some insurers treat soft and hard landscaping as separate activities. Public liability covers injury and damage to other property arising from the work, but not the cost of putting right a patio, wall or fence you built badly. Contract works cover can protect materials and work in progress on site until the job is handed over, which matters on larger landscaping projects.

Question 8

How much does gardeners insurance cost?

Accepted Answer

There is no single price. The cost depends on the public liability limit you need, your turnover, whether you work alone or employ staff, the mix of maintenance, landscaping and tree work you do, the machinery and tools you want covered and where they are kept, any chemical spraying, and your claims history. We put your details to our panel of insurers so the quote reflects the work you actually do.

Gardeners Insurance