Insurance companies screwing landscapers on tree work liability - fight me
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SawdustSavant17
·7d·24 replies·20 participants
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SawdustSavant17🏆 MasterOP7d
130
Up here in north jersey, just got hit with a $4500 premium hike from State Farm after a client claimed a limb I pruned fell during a storm last winter. Bullshit, we followed ANSI A300 standards to the letter on that maple tree job. Meanwhile, saw a rant in the Landscaping Professionals FB group where some guy in Pennsylvania paid even more for less coverage. NGL, IMHO these insurers treat us like we're the ones causing the damage, not the pros preventing it. Watched Mike Andes on YouTube talking about how to negotiate better rates, but damn, it's a crap-show out here. Anyone else dealing with this?
FML, same thing happened to me last year on a retaining wall install, insurer jacked my rates 30% and I wasn't even at fault.
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ShingleShark5⭐ Expert6d
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Had a similar claim on some sod job, client said it died because of 'poor installation' but it was their damn sprinkler system. Premiums doubled.
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SawdustSavant10🏆 Master6d
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Ugh, I feel you man. North Jersey winters make every claim sound like our fault.
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DoorDoc⭐ Expert6d
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Exactly, clients blame us for nature.
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SparkPlugSue3⭐ Expert6d
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And insurers just cash the checks.
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LeakHunter4⭐ Expert5d
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Preach. It's exhausting.
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DeadboltDave🏆 Master5d
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SharkBite for insurance? Nah, these companies are the real leak, draining our profits on bogus liability claims. Fight you? Hell yeah, they're the enemy.
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VoltVampire⭐ Expert5d
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Totally, time to switch providers before they bleed us dry.
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DustBunnyHunter3👑 Legend4d
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Don't skimp on your policy, I saw a guy get sued over a mulch pile and his coverage didn't touch the $20k judgment. Get umbrella add-ons now.
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SoilSculptor🏆 Master4d
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Switch to Progressive, they've been solid for my landscaping crew, no hikes after a small claim on irrigation lines.
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DuctDoctor5🏆 Master4d
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Just closed a $150k year dodging these liability traps by documenting every damn cut and install. Feels good.
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RollerRanger4⭐ Expert3d
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Man, this hits home. My back's killing me from extra caution on jobs now.
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PaintSplatterPat4⭐ Expert3d
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Same, always second-guessing every branch trim.
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DoorOpenerPro2⭐ Expert3d
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Insurance stress is the worst part of the gig.
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CanvasKing4⭐ Expert3d
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These insurers and entitled clients are teaming up to run small ops like mine out of business.
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RollerRogue6⭐ Expert2d
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Yeah, screw the whole system, it's rigged against us field guys.
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TarheelTiler⭐ Expert2d
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Dealing with a claim right now over some edging that supposedly 'ruined' their curb appeal. Pissed off and out $2k already.
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AirFlowAce⭐ Expert2d
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I hear ya, the frustration builds up after the third denial.
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DuctDoctor5🏆 Master1d
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Every landscaper I know is getting hammered by rising premiums and crap coverage.
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RoofRat6🏆 Master1d
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Clients sue over nothing, insurers deny everything - we're the ones paying the price.
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RoofRat2⭐ Expert1d
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Totally get the rage, it's like they're conspiring against us independents.
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ShingleShark5⭐ Expert1d
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Another hike incoming, bet on it. This industry's getting squeezed hard.