What does gardening insurance cover?
Our insurance for gardeners offers the essential busines cover you need to protect against potential claims, ensuring you operate securely and avoid financial losses. With public liability included, you also have the option to add extras like Employers’ Liability, Contractors Works cover, Plant & Tools cover, tailored to the specific needs and size of your business.
Our policy is flexible to your needs. You can customise our Contractors All Risk cover to meet your specific requirements. Choose the level you need for contractors works, plant and tools you own and hire. If you select one or all of these extras, employee tools and personal effects will be included, up to £500.
Make sure you have the correct insurance for your trade and be sure to check if any exclusions are relevant to what you have planned in policy documentation.
Public Liability
Employers' Liability
Contractors Works
Plant & Tools
Financial Loss
Public Liability
- Up to £5 million available.
- This policy protects you from claims involving third-party injury or property damage. For gardeners, this might include damage to a client’s glasshouse, or a pedestrian being struck by flying debris during hedge cutting. Important exclusion: This does not extend to the specific plant or feature you are currently tending; separate Contract Works cover is needed for that exposure.
Employers’ Liability
- Up to £10 million available.
- A mandatory legal protection for gardening businesses with employees. This policy can cover you when a worker sustains injury or illness arising from a work incident during their employment with you.
Contractors Works
- Up to £250,000 worth of cover
- Covers the work being undertaken when under your responsibility. Should you have recently completed a substantial planting scheme or installed new turfing and it’s destroyed by an unexpected event such as fire before formal handover, this policy funds the materials and labour necessary to reinstate it.
Plant & tools hired
- Up to £50,000 worth of cover.
- When you rent larger equipment for particular gardening projects, this cover can support with your financial liability for damage to those items, plus any ongoing rental charges during repair or replacement.
Plant & tools owned
- Up to £75,000 worth of cover.
- Covers your tools and equipment, temporary buildings, caravans, or similar on-site that are owned by you and used in connection with any contract works being undertaken by you.
- Covers your tools and equipment off-site if locked in an unattended vehicle. This is only available as an extension of plant & tools owned cover and covers your own portable tools, including power driven portable tools and business equipment, when kept in a locked vehicle and left unattended.
Employees tools & personal effects
- This covers tools and personal items owned by your employees while on any site, or those you’re responsible for under a joint working agreement.
- It’s not available as a standalone cover but comes with either Contract Works or Owned or Hired Plant & Tools cover, with protection up to £500.
Financial Loss
- Up to £50,000 per claim available.
- Covers claims relating to economic loss that doesn’t stem directly from bodily injury or physical property damage.
- Cover for bona fide subcontractors, who should have their own insurance.
- Claims for financial losses relating to non or late delivery of products to third parties.
- Claims for damage directly or indirectly resulting from works on timber framed buildings.
For information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Why do gardeners need insurance?
Creating and maintaining outdoor spaces demands more than horticultural knowledge; it involves operating power equipment, manoeuvring heavy machinery, and working within unpredictable conditions. Whether you’re cutting a domestic lawn or trimming elevated branches, your daily activities expose you to risks that could affect both your business and the properties under your care.
Selecting specialist gardeners’ insurance delivers the crucial protection required to work outdoors with assurance, preventing a straightforward accident from becoming a substantial financial setback for your enterprise.
Here are a few examples to demonstrate why you need gardener insurance:
Protection against outdoor gardening accidents
It could be a pebble propelled by a rotary mower shattering a greenhouse pane or a homeowner stumbling over irrigation equipment, garden maintenance can generate unforeseen claims.
Public Liability insurance handles the legal expenses and compensation settlements when your gardening operations cause accidental injury to others or damage to their property.
Safeguarding your gardening team
When you employ your own labourers, lawn specialists, or trainees to manage seasonal workload peaks, Employers’ Liability insurance becomes a statutory requirement. Working with sharp cutting implements, manual handling tasks, and powered machinery involves increased risks. This policy can support if one of your workforce is injured during their duties, with financial and legal cover, if a claim is made.
Security for your mowers and machinery
Your livelihood relies on your gardening equipment, ranging from petrol-driven mowers and hedge trimmers through to chainsaws and leaf blowers. If your kit is stolen from your vehicle, storage facility, or damaged at a client’s property, the replacement costs can be considerable.
Our Tools and Plant cover enables you to replace your professional equipment promptly, helping you maintain your maintenance commitments.
Our experts explain why...
“Gardening work presents unique seasonal challenges and varied risks – from potential damage to prized plants and garden features to liability concerns with machinery and chemical treatments. Our specialist trade insurance understands the diverse nature of gardening services, providing comprehensive cover for your equipment, materials, and the seasonal fluctuations in your work. Whether you’re maintaining small domestic gardens or managing large commercial landscapes, we protect against plant damage claims, machinery accidents, and weather-related setbacks, allowing you to nurture outdoor spaces with confidence.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager

How much does gardener's insurance cost?
The cost of gardening insurance can vary widely depending on several factors, including the size and scope of the project, the location of the project, the type of cover needed, the insurer, and the risk factors associated with the project.
For example, if you employ staff then your policy will need additional cover in Employers’ Liability, at a higher cost. At Protectivity, prices start from just £3.96* a month.
Prices from
£3.96* a month
Explainer Quote
Policy cost
£3.96* a month
Policy type
Gardener
Duration
Annual
Turnover
Up to £250,000
Public Liability
Up to £1,000,000
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 05/01/2026. If your circumstances and cover needs differ, your quote may be more or less expensive than the above example. The quote you receive will reflect the information you share about your event. The quoted price may vary from those displayed here.
Have a question?
For further information on your policy, renewals, making a claim and contacting us, you’ll find an extensive list of FAQs on our Help & Support page.
Why choose Protectivity for your gardeners public liability insurance policy?
Let the reviews of over 3,500 customers explain why you should choose us.¹
Trusted by over 180,000 customers.
Experienced insurance providers for over 30 years.

Over 3,500 highly rated reviews.
Proof of our excellent customer service.

Experienced Claims Handling
A smooth and efficient claims process.
UK Based Customer Support
Our UK sales team are here to help.
Frequently
Asked Questions
What security measures do I need for tool coverage?
To ensure tool insurance is valid, your tools must be securely stored in a locked vehicle and out of sight, locked site container, or other secure location when not in use. This applies to both owned and hired tools.
Are power tool breakdowns included?
No, power tool breakdowns are not included. The policy only covers theft, damage, or loss of tools if you have the relevant Plant & Tools Owned or Hired cover.
Does tradesman insurance cover work interruption?
No, standard tradesman insurance does not cover work interruption.
Are my van’s contents insured overnight?
Tools and equipment stored in a locked vehicle overnight are covered if you have the Plant & Tools Owned extension (Tools of Trade), which protects your tools off-site under secure conditions.
Am I covered for delayed damage claims?
No, delayed damage claims are not covered. All claims for damage must be reported to us at the point you are aware of any damages or injury occurring.
What insurance do I need for electrical work?
You will need to select the correct trade you need cover for, when you get a quote, for example electrician’s cover. Public liability insurance can protect against third-party claims. Additionally, Employers’ Liability is required if you employ staff. You may want to customise your policy with optional extras for Contractors Works and Plants and Tools cover.
Is tool hire covered if they are stolen?
Yes, Plant & Tools Hired cover includes protection for hired tools and equipment against loss, damage, or theft. You’ll also be covered for any hire charges resulting from the loss.
Are materials stored on site protected?
Materials stored on-site are protected if you include Contractors Works in your policy. This ensures coverage for loss or damage to temporary or permanent works, including materials.
What coverage do I need for commercial projects?
Depending on your project you can choose the appropriate cover that best suits your needs. For commercial projects, you could include Contractors Works for protection of materials and works, as well as Plant & Tools cover for equipment used on-site. Public liability and Employers’ Liability may also be necessary, depending on the size of your operation and workforce.
Does my tradesman liability insurance include apprentices?
Yes, if you have Employers’ Liability insurance, apprentices are covered for workplace injuries or accidents, as this is a legal requirement for any employer with staff.
What items are covered under the Own Plant and Tools cover?
The insurer defines this cover as contractors’ plant, tools and equipment demountable and temporary buildings and/or caravans and/or other items of a like nature and materials and/or stores and/or any other property of whatsoever nature used or intended for use in connection with any contract works. There are conditions and exclusions you need to ensure you adhere with, please ensure you take a view of these before proceeding further.
What does Contract Works cover?
Contract Works is designed to cover you for Damage and Loss to works whether permanent or temporary, to include materials used for which you are responsible for, being your property whilst you are undertaking works, not including tools, plant and equipment you own or that you have hired in for the works. We are unable to provide cover for materials and stock away from any contract site unless in transit and we cannot consider cover for contract works that exceed 24 months.
Are you able to cover the plant I use for my trade?
Yes, we can cover plant you own and plant you hire in. We have different sums insured that can be selected and the sums selected also have single article limits for plant you own and maximum hire charges for equipment you hire. Please also note that if you own or have hired a single piece of plant equipment that costs more than £10,000, when its not in use it is stored in a securely locked building of standard construction or is immobilised in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.
Can I include liability cover for subcontractors, who I use to assist my business?
This depends on your agreement with your subcontractors. Bona-fide subcontractors will have to have their own insurance cover and cannot be included on your insurance policy and in the numbers requested herein, you will be obligated to retain proof of their insurance. Labour-only subcontractors can be included on your policy of insurance, for work they provide under contract with yourself and your business only and should be included in the total numbers you provide in this application of insurance.
Does your policy allow me and my staff to provide work using heat away from our premises?
No, not for the majority of trades available to be selected, with the exception of some of the builders trades, landscapers trades and electricians, where there will be an endorsement added to your policy, allowing you to undertake work away from your premises, subject to you complying with a set of conditions outlined in the added endorsement titled ‘Hot Working and Use of Heat Equipment away from your Premises Condition Precedent.
Do I need insurance if I work from home?
Yes, you need public liability insurance to protect you against claims arising from accidental injury to a client or damage to their belongings.
Can you cover my tools for damage, loss and theft?
Yes, at Protectivity we offer tools insurance for tradesmen, but this is subject to conditions and exclusions. Please make sure to read the conditions and exclusions in full.
Does this insurance policy cover me for working overseas?
This cover is meant for work in the United Kingdom, however it will allow cover abroad temporarily (max 25 days throughout your annual policy), for manual work in the EU and non-manual work anywhere in the world, in conjunction with your Business only.
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This page content has been created for general information and should not be taken as advice.
*Prices quoted refer to a quote raised from our website 05/01/2026. Prices will differ depending on requirements. Make sure you have the correct level of cover for what you need. For the most accurate pricing, please get a quote and for full details on what is covered refer to our policy documentation with your quote.
** Based on Protectivity sales data from 2007 to present
¹Based on live Feefo data















