It’s peak season at your garden center. You’re watching the shopping lines extend down the aisle from the cash register. Customer carts are overflowing with plants, flowers, and garden décor. Business is good and revenue is booming.
But what if something suddenly goes wrong?
If a catastrophe happens, your insurance policy can quickly become your knight in shining armor. But do you have a policy capable of rescuing you from potential risks and financial loss that can occur without warning?
Let’s find out. This insurance guide for garden centers outlines common risks and appropriate coverages to help you determine if your business is properly insured.
Your garden center risks
Whether you’re an independent, family-owned garden center or part of a larger, multi-location business, you face risks every single day.
Common garden center risks include:
Storm damage
Crop losses
Equipment breakdown
Slips, trips, and falls
Customer liability
Theft
From onsite injuries and accidents to severe weather, use your daily what-ifs as a checklist to help ensure your insurance policy suits your business.
Work with your insurance agent to identify exposures and select the type and amount of coverage that aligns with those exposures. You don't run a one-size-fits-all business—and you shouldn't choose one-size-fits-all insurance solutions.
Selecting proper insurance for your garden center
Garden center insurance can help protect your business—covering your property, employees, customers, equipment, stock, and inventory. In the event of a catastrophe or disruption, it can play a large role in your business’s recovery.
Review your state requirements for business insurance and determine whether the following coverages are right for your unique business.
We can help protect your garden center
With more than 135 years of experience in the garden center industry, we understand the risks you face.
Commercial property
Unexpected property loss or damage is almost inevitable—whether it’s from fire, storm damage, theft, or breakdowns. You can customize your property insurance coverage based on your buildings, equipment, inventory, income, and other exposures.
General liability
Lawsuits following slips, trips, and falls are a significant threat to your bottom line and reputation. General liability coverage can help protect your business if someone is injured at your garden center, or if you sell a product that’s defective and causes injury or property damage. General liability can also include cyber liability coverage to help protect against losses if there’s a breach of customer data and financial records.
Commercial auto
Deliveries and transporting equipment are typical day-to-day activities for garden centers like yours. Commercial auto insurance can help cover accidents that happen when you’re using a vehicle for your business. It can also help cover your business if you or an employee use a personal vehicle on behalf of the business.
Workers' compensation
Protecting your employees after an on-the-job injury is important. So is protecting your business from litigation. Workers’ compensation coverage can help pay for medical and related expenses for workers injured on the job. It can also reimburse them for a portion of lost wages while they’re unable to work.
Umbrella liability
This optional coverage picks up where your standard liability policy coverage ends. It provides an extra layer of coverage that can help protect your business in the event of a catastrophic liability loss or a large judgment against you or your company.
Choosing an insurance provider
An important consideration in securing appropriate coverage for your garden center is selecting a suitable insurance provider. While price is important, it shouldn’t be your only consideration.
You also don’t want an insurer that takes a cookie-cutter approach to your business. Your garden center is unique, and your coverage should follow suit.
Work with an insurance company that specializes in your industry and understands your business and risks.
“At Hortica, we offer a full range of horticultural business insurance services and specialized coverages through our HortAdvantage program,” states Traci Dooley, National Agency Sales Director for Hortica. “From quick claims service to providing safety checks of your business, we’re here to help with risk management and to properly insure your biggest investment.
“With more than 135 years serving just the horticulture industry,” Dooley continues, “we’re not only experienced in your industry, but we also know construction and materials, allowing us to help you with quick and quality post-damage recovery. From your initial quote request onward, you can count on us to provide responsive service and quality coverage.”
If you have any questions about insuring your garden center or would like to review your current policy, contact us today or request a quote.
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