Artificial Turf Installer Insurance
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
Reviewed by
Paul Martin is the Director of Education and Development for Myron Steves, one of the largest, most respected insurance wholesalers in the southern U.S.
Artificial turf installers are specialized contractors who install artificial turf at schools, parks, private yards, and other locations. They may also perform additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs to existing turf.
The risks that individual artificial turf installers face are unique. You might work on small residential projects or large commercial or municipal projects, and everything in between. Regardless of the size or difficulty of a project, accidents and property damage can happen at any time. How will you protect your business when something goes wrong?
Business insurance tailored for artificial turf installers is one way to protect your business from the devastating costs and disruption these incidents can cause. An independent insurance agent can help you get customized coverage.
Why Do You Need Artificial Turf Installer Insurance?
Artificial turf installation takes certain experience and skills to ensure the surface is properly prepared and the turf is installed safely, without causing any damage to the property during the installation process or in the future. Underground water and electrical lines must be discovered, and any potential problems must be mitigated. Appropriate drainage must be established under the turf to avoid flooding and foundation problems. The soil must be prepared to exacting standards, and most importantly, the turf must be laid and installed to ensure the safety of everyone who walks or runs on it.
In the course of installing artificial turf, you are exposed to a variety of risks that can cost you a tremendous amount of money. You need artificial turf installer insurance to protect your livelihood from things like:
- Property damage, theft, or vandalism to your tools, vehicles, and equipment
- Worker injuries
- Lost income due to property damage or some other type of work stoppage
- Lawsuits for causing damage to someone’s property or causing injuries to a third party
- Lawsuits stemming from faulty products or faulty installation
- Car accidents involving your business-owned vehicles
What Does Artificial Turf Installer Insurance Cover?
Artificial turf installer insurance is not a single insurance policy. It is a wide range of insurance products designed for contractors in your industry.
Artificial turf installer insurance helps you minimize the costs related to employee injuries, equipment and materials damage, motor vehicle accidents, lawsuits, and more.
Not every artificial turf installer has the same insurance needs. Your comprehensive business insurance program should be based on the size of your business, the number of people you employ, and the type of work you perform.
Liability Insurance for Artificial Turf Installers
Artificial turf installers need a tailored portfolio of insurance policies and coverage that protect against their unique exposures. The first major building block of artificial turf installer insurance is commercial general liability (CGL) insurance. It is essential to protect you from the risk of negligence claims (claims that you’ve caused bodily injury or property damage to third parties) and related lawsuits.
Commercial general liability insurance provides coverage for many of the liability exposures you face as an artificial turf installer. It pays for medical expenses and property damage for third-party injuries and property damage caused by you or your employees while performing turf installation, repair, or maintenance work.
CGL policies also usually include products-completed operations liability insurance that responds if you’re sued because turf that you’ve installed is faulty and causes injuries or property damage.
Completed operations insurance covers a contractor's liability for property damage or injuries to a third party once contracted operations cease (e.g., trip-and-fall injuries related to poor or faulty installation, foundation or other water damage caused by poor drainage that results from your work, etc.). You may need to purchase an additional or separate policy that has a higher completed operations coverage limit than what is provided in the basic CGL policy.
Products-completed operations insurance helps artificial turf installers settle claims while maintaining their financial stability. It can protect against breach of contract and negligence claims, and ensures reasonable compensation for damage or injuries resulting from your work or your products. It also pays for your legal fees and financial settlements to the injured parties. Completed operations insurance will not cover expenses related to product recalls.
You might also need some other types of liability insurance to protect your artificial turf installation business:
- Commercial auto insurance covers your vehicles and drivers in the event of an accident or other types of vehicle damage.
- Commercial umbrella insurance can cover you for claims that exceed the limits of your other liability policies.
Property Insurance for Artificial Turf Installers
Your tools and equipment are your most valuable asset. Without them, you could not perform the work you have promised.
You need to protect your valuable tools and equipment whether they are at your shop, on the way to a job site, or on a trailer at the site until the project is completed.
- Commercial property insurance covers your office space, shop, warehouse, or other buildings and their contents from losses due to fire, theft, vandalism, wind, hail, and other losses that can occur.
- Business interruption insurance reimburses you for lost income and helps pay for certain ongoing expenses if you are temporarily unable to operate due to a covered loss (fire, weather, vandalism, etc.).
- Inland marine insurance protects your equipment, tools, portable computer equipment, and other supplies from theft, loss, or damage while they are in transit to and from worksites.
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What Are Contractors Bonds and Do You Need them?
You might need a variety of contractors bonds, or surety bonds, depending on the size and scope of the projects that you work on. Bonds are very important for contractors who work on commercial building sites, but you may still need certain types of bonds even for residential work.
Contractors bonds can be essential for finding, securing, and performing work. They are typically used to guarantee some aspect of the bidding process or building project and ensure the project owner that you are fully licensed, insured, and prepared to complete the project as promised.
Every type of bond is unique and tailored to a specific project. While you may not need them for every job, you should know what they are and be prepared to obtain them if required.
How Much Does Artificial Turf Installer Insurance Cost?
Artificial turf installer insurance costs will vary depending on the size of your business, the number of employees you have, and how much business property (buildings, tools, and equipment) you have.
If you own a shop or warehouse building and several trucks, you’ll pay more than a business owner who has only a small office space and a single work vehicle.
An independent agent who has experience working with different types of contractors can help you decide the types and amounts of coverage you need for your business. The choices you make will determine your cost of coverage.
Find and Compare Quotes
An independent agent can work with you one-on-one to determine the types and amounts of coverage you need. Your agent can get quotes from multiple insurance companies so you can evaluate the cost and coverage options and make the best choice.
Benefits of an Independent Insurance Agent
Independent insurance agents simplify the search process for finding the right artificial turf installer insurance. They’ll walk you through some handpicked policy options and explain the details.
Most importantly, they’ll be there for you when claim time comes. They know the ins and outs of the process and will make sure your claim is handled appropriately.
The Lowdown on Online Quotes
Online quotes can be tempting. They are fast and easy to get—but are they accurate? And are you getting quotes for the right coverage? For business owners, choosing speed over accuracy can cost you.
Online quotes can’t and don’t see the whole picture. They can leave out important coverage that will leave you devastated if something unexpected happens. And they can leave out cost-saving opportunities that an agent can help you take advantage of.
Instead of getting an online quote, find an independent insurance agent now, and get one-on-one consultation and affordable options for the best coverage for your unique needs.