Greenhouse Business Insurance
Every greenhouse business needs insurance. Knowing which type of insurance you need and the best place to get it is the next step.
This article will cover the main types of business insurance and help you find the best greenhouse business insurance.
Recommended: Next Insurance is dedicated to matching small businesses with the right policy at the best price.
Best Insurance for a Greenhouse Business
The most common and comprehensive type of greenhouse business insurance is general liability insurance. We recommend general liability insurance as your first line of defense against a variety of the most general and commonly occurring claims.
Some of the risks general liability insurance covers are:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Medical payments
- Legal defense and judgment
- Personal and advertising injury
While a greenhouse business isn’t legally required to carry general liability insurance, operating without it is extremely risky. If your greenhouse business is sued, you could face fees totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more).
Find the Right Policy at the Best Rate
Using a fully online insurance provider saves time and money and offers the most accurate quotes.
Cost of General Liability Insurance
On average, greenhouse businesses in America spend between $400 - $1500 per year for $1 million in general liability coverage.
Compare the average cost of general liability insurance for a greenhouse business to other professional industries using the graph below:
Several factors will determine the price of your policy. These include your:
- Location
- Deductible
- Number of employees
- Per-occurrence limit
- General aggregate limit
You may be able to acquire general liability insurance at a discounted rate by purchasing it as part of a business owner’s policy (BOP) rather than as a standalone policy.
A BOP is a more comprehensive solution that includes multiple forms of coverage, such as business interruption and property insurance.
Start an Online Quote for Insurance
Finding the most affordable premium starts with getting accurate quotes from highly rated providers.
Common Situations That General Liability Insurance May Cover for a Greenhouse Business
Example 1: As an employee loads bags of soil into a customer’s car, they accidentally drop a bag. The bag knocks the customer to the ground, where she hits her head and then needs medical attention for a possible concussion. General liability insurance would cover her medical bills.
Example 2: Right after you water the plants, a customer’s child runs through the greenhouse, slips in a puddle, and suffers an injury. His mother decides to sue your greenhouse. General liability insurance would pay for your legal fees and any settlement, if necessary.
Example 3: You lose control of a cart while moving heavy pots filled with plants, and the cart hits a customer’s car. General liability insurance would cover the customer’s vehicle repair costs.
Check out our review of the Best Small Business Insurance Companies.
Other Types of Coverage Greenhouse Businesses Need
While general liability is the most important type of insurance to have, there are several other forms of coverage you should be aware of. Below are some other types of insurance all greenhouse businesses should obtain.
Commercial Property Insurance
Setting up your greenhouse required a major investment in plants, soil, amendments, pots, tools, and other supplies. If you own the building(s) in which you operate, you’re responsible for all business-related property housed there in the event of a fire, burglary, or natural disaster. Commercial property insurance would cover the cost of repairing or replacing your business building(s) and supplies after an accident so you can recover quickly.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Most states require businesses to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their part-time and full-time employees. This coverage protects your employees if they become injured at work or fall ill after a work-related accident. It not only covers an employee’s medical bills and lost wages if they need time to recover, but also any disability or death benefits stemming from a work-related accident.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance
While your general liability insurance policy covers most claims, some accidents or lawsuits may be so catastrophic that they threaten to exhaust the limits of your primary coverage. Commercial umbrella insurance protects you from paying out-of-pocket for any legal fees and awarded damages that exceed your primary policy.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Any vehicle you or your employees use primarily for business requires commercial auto insurance to protect the vehicle, driver, and others on the road in the event of an accident. Be sure to select a policy that covers not only accident-related vehicle repair costs and medical treatment for anyone injured, but also sufficient protection for any business equipment or supplies you carry in your vehicles.
Additional Steps To Protect Your Business
Although it’s easy (and essential) to invest in business insurance, it shouldn’t be your only defense.
Here are several things you can do to better protect your greenhouse business:
- Use legally robust contracts and other business documents. (We offer free templates for some of the most common legal forms.)
- Set up an LLC or corporation to protect your personal assets. (Visit our step-by-step guides to learn how to form an LLC or corporation in your state.)
- Stay up to date with business licensing.
- Maintain your corporate veil.
Business Insurance Is the Best Way to Protect Your Business
If you're starting a new business, then you need business insurance. It's as simple as that. The protection offered by an LLC will protect your personal assets, but your business's assets are still open to liability in the case of a lawsuit or other loss.
Be sure that everything you've built is safe by getting business insurance.
Greenhouse Business Insurance FAQ
Can I buy business insurance online for my greenhouse business?
Yes, absolutely. You will need to first get a quote from an online business insurance provider like Next Insurance. Next allows you to then purchase a policy immediately and your coverage will be active within 48 hours.
What is included in a business owner’s policy?
A typical business owner’s policy includes general liability, business interruption, and commercial property insurance. However, BOPs are often customizable, so your agent may recommend adding professional liability, commercial auto, or other types of coverage to your package depending on your company’s needs.
What is the difference between business insurance and general liability insurance?
"Business insurance" is a generic term used to describe many different types of coverage a business may need. General liability insurance, on the other hand, is a specific type of coverage that business owners need to protect their assets.
Do I need insurance before I start a greenhouse business?
You should invest in business insurance coverage for your business before your first interaction with a customer. Although the cost of insurance may seem high for a brand new business, it’s best to be proactive when it comes to protecting your assets. After all, you can’t buy insurance to cover a loss that has already occurred.
Will insurance protect my greenhouse business from everything?
Not necessarily. Certain exceptions may be written directly into your greenhouse business insurance policy, and some perils may be entirely uninsurable.
Is general liability the same as business owners?
A general liability insurance policy covers only liability losses. A business owner's policy covers both liability and property losses.
How do I choose the best general liability insurance?
The best general liability coverage for your business really depends on the amount of coverage you’re comfortable with and how often you expect to file a claim. A relatively safe business with a very low risk of accident or legal liability could opt for lower premiums with higher deductibles.
However, if you are in an accident or injury-prone industry or are making advertising claims about the effectiveness of your service or product, you may wish to consider more extensive coverage. We recommend using a digital insurance provider like Next Insurance.
Do I need business insurance if I already have an LLC?
Yes, an LLC is meant to create a legal barrier between your business and your personal assets and credit. If you haven’t formed an LLC yet, use our Form an LLC guide to get started.
An LLC doesn’t protect your business assets from lawsuits and liability– that’s where business insurance comes in. Business insurance helps protect your business from liability and risk.