Protecting your landscaping equipment & tools | Insurance House

“A bad workman blames his tools”, as the saying goes – but they are a vital part of getting the job done. While expertise and skill are the core of any landscaping business, tools and equipment are necessary to carry out dayto-day tasks.

Most tradespeople can’t work without their tools, and if you are a contractor or subcontractor, you are likely self-employed, which means if problems arise you can’t earn any money until your tools are replaced. What’s more, you may have to dig into your own savings or borrow money to remedy the situation.

Irrespective of how established your landscaping business is, there is potential for you to be directly impacted by unforeseen events at some stage. This could be anything from damage to your tools, to valuable equipment breaking down or being stolen while on-site, in storage, or even from your work vehicle.

In an already challenging landscape, substantial costs could bring your operations to a halt and impose a significant financial burden on your business. If your company is not well equipped to manage such circumstances, the impact of these unexpected events could stick with you long into the future.

If workers do not have access to the tools and equipment needed to complete tasks, you risk project delays, which inevitably leaves your clients dissatisfied. If you are not in the position to repair or repurchase critical equipment, it could take some time to get back to “business as usual” – and there is no guarantee this will ever be possible. By investing in an adequate tools and equipment insurance policy, complications like the above can often be either partially or completely avoided. Some policies are purpose-built to protect your business’ essential tools and equipment against a range of risks and disruptive events.

Specialist insurers can provide a wide range of specific cover across industries, including landscaping, earthmoving and excavation contractors, agricultural and farming. With the right policy in place, your company can be covered for costs associated with emergency repairs and recovery costs following loss, theft or damage for the tools you use at different work locations. Whether your equipment and tools are hired or owned, in use or the spare parts you keep on-hand, the majority of exposures can be covered.

Each landscaping business is different and has a distinct set of needs, priorities and concerns. That’s why it is essential when deciding which insurance policy is best suited for you, you get the right advice.

When deciding on which policy to purchase, careful consideration needs to be given to the policy terms and conditions. Understanding what exactly you are paying for and the subsequent protection available to you in the event of a loss is critical.

Not all policies provide the same cover. For example, some policies provide replacement value whilst others will only reinstate you for the market value of your lost or damaged equipment or tools. When making a claim, you are already likely in a high-stress situation. The last thing you need is surprises when you need to make a claim.

While on the surface insurance can seem relatively straightforward, the technicalities and complexities at the core of your policy can significantly impact the outcome at a time when you need certainty..

Your landscaping projects require a certain level of specialisation and skill, but the best results are achieved when this is paired with a willingness to understand each client’s distinct circumstances and goals.

Insurance House has access to a number of insurers with specialist insurance products suitable for the landscaping and associated industries. We can help you navigate the various options available to help you make an informed decision - we put our customers first.

If any of the information covered in this article is of interest to your landscaping business, our insurance brokers can help answer your questions or provide advice on your insurance options. To discuss your situation, reach out to an Insurance House landscaping insurance broker on 1300 305 834.