Plant Nursery Insurance In Florida

In Florida, Plant Nurseries face unique risks—ranging from hurricanes and freezes to pesticide liability and specialized equipment failure. Because your inventory is alive and sensitive to the environment, a standard business policy is rarely enough.

Here is a breakdown of the insurance landscape for Florida nurseries in 2025:

1. Essential Coverage for Florida Nurseries

• Commercial Property & Greenhouse Coverage: Standard policies often exclude “growing stock.” You need a specific endorsement (like a Growing Stock Endorsement) to cover plants inside a greenhouse or in the field if they are damaged by fire, wind, or theft.

• General Liability: Protects you if a customer is injured at your garden center (e.g., a slip-and-fall) or if a product you sell (like a fertilizer) causes illness or damage to a customer’s property.

• Pollution Liability: Vital if you use pesticides or chemicals. Standard liability usually excludes “pollution,” so this covers cleanup costs and medical claims if chemicals leak or drift into neighboring areas.

• Equipment Breakdown: Nurseries rely on climate control and irrigation. If a power surge kills your ventilation system and your plants die from the heat, this coverage pays for the repairs and often the lost inventory.

2. Florida-Specific Requirements

• Workers’ Compensation: In Florida, if you have one or more employees in the construction industry or four or more in non-construction (which most nurseries fall under), you are legally required to carry Workers’ Comp. However, many retailers and contractors will not hire you as a supplier unless you have it regardless of your staff size.

• Commercial Auto: If you deliver plants or use tractors on public roads, a personal auto policy will not cover accidents. You need commercial auto, especially for heavy delivery trucks.

• Errors & Omissions (E&O): This covers professional mistakes, such as mislabeling a large shipment of trees. If a client grows the “wrong” tree for three years based on your label, they can sue for the lost time and revenue.

3. Estimated Costs (2025 Market)

While prices vary by the size of your operation and total inventory value, here are general benchmarks:

• General Liability: $600 – $1,500 per year.

• Workers’ Comp: $400 – $1,000+ per year (heavily dependent on payroll).

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Or Call Dorsal Insurance today for a quote (786) 601-2485