Landscaping truck insurance
A landscaping company whose crews tow trailers of mowers to job sites may need a commercial auto policy or an endorsed personal policy, the Utah Insurance Department says. Its business-use page, read October 12, 2026, lists landscaping service among its examples. ISO's business auto form, CA 00 01 11 20, covers trailers of 3,000 lb registered GVWR or less for liability automatically and covers mobile equipment for liability only while a covered auto carries or tows it; the carrier's own form decides. The CAR manual, effective March 1, 2026, confines its Service Use class to trucks carrying a crew and its tools and parked at the job for the majority of the working day.
Does a landscaping truck need commercial auto insurance?
Landscaping service is on the Utah Insurance Department's list, read October 12, 2026, of business uses that may need a commercial auto policy or an endorsement.
Whichever policy carries the truck, Utah Code 31A-22-304 sets the liability floor at $30,000 per person, $65,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage on a policy issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025.
CAR's commercial auto manual classifies a landscaping truck by facts the owner supplies. Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers, which describes itself as "the industry operated residual market and statistical agent for motor vehicle insurance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," publishes a Commercial Automobile Insurance Manual, effective March 1, 2026, whose Rule 52 says "The following classification procedures apply for the purpose of determining premiums." Rule 52 sorts a truck by its gross vehicle weight, its business use and its radius, and a trailer by its load capacity.
What does the insurer need to know about a landscaping company truck?
CAR's Service Use class, effective March 1, 2026, takes trucks carrying the insured's crew and tools to jobs and parked there for the majority of the working day. Rule 52 of the CAR manual defines Service Use as automobiles "used for transporting the insured's personnel, tools, equipment, and incidental supplies to or from a job location" and says "This classification is confined to automobiles principally parked at job locations for the majority of the working day or used to transport supervisory personnel between job locations." Merchants Insurance Group's classification help page prints a matching definition, "to and from a job location," for its own policies.
CAR's Rule 52 rates a truck with more than one use on "the classification with the highest use factor" unless "80% or more of the use is in a single lower rated activity," and its local radius class is a truck "not operated beyond a radius of 50 miles" from where it is principally garaged. The same rule makes "five or more self-propelled automobiles of any type that are under one ownership" a fleet, leaving trailers and "mobile equipment insured on a General Liability Policy" out of the count. Under Rule 52 the class follows what each truck does, so describe each truck's actual use and the share of its trips in each use.
| Class | CAR manual wording | What to tell the insurer |
|---|---|---|
| Service Use | Transporting the insured's personnel, tools, equipment and incidental supplies to or from a job location | Which crew and tools each truck carries, and whether it stays parked at the job site |
| Retail Use | Picking up property from, or delivering property to, individual households | Whether any truck delivers plants, sod or materials to homes |
| Commercial Use | Transporting property other than service or retail | Whether any truck hauls soil, rock, mulch or green waste as a job of its own, and for whom |
Is a landscaping trailer covered by the truck's insurance?
ISO's business auto form covers a landscaping trailer of 3,000 lb GVWR or less for liability automatically; a heavier trailer needs a symbol that reaches it. CA 00 01 11 20 Section I.C.1 makes covered autos for liability of ""Trailers" with a registered Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 3,000 pounds or less designed primarily for travel on public roads." Section I says "Item Two of the Declarations shows the "autos" that are covered "autos" for each of your coverages," so a trailer's liability and its physical damage are separate entries. Where symbol 7 is entered, covered autos are "Only those "autos" described in Item Three of the Declarations for which a premium charge is shown," plus, for liability only, "any "trailers" you don't own while attached to any power unit described in Item Three."
Damage to a landscaping trailer itself is paid under Section III, which says "We will pay for "loss" to a covered "auto" or its equipment," only when the symbol entered for that physical damage coverage reaches the trailer. CAR's Rule 52 sizes trailers by load: a "Service or Utility Trailer" carries 2,000 pounds or less, and a "Trailer" carries more and is not a semitrailer.
| Trailer | Liability while towed | Damage to the trailer itself |
|---|---|---|
| Owned, 3,000 lb GVWR or less, not in Item Three | Covered automatically (Section I.C.1) | Not paid: symbol 7 reaches only autos in Item Three with a premium charge |
| Owned, in Item Three with a premium charge | Covered as a specifically described auto | Paid when Item Three shows a physical damage premium for it |
| Owned, over 3,000 lb, bought mid-term, not yet listed | Covered only if both Section I.B.2 conditions are met, including notice within 30 days | Same two conditions |
| Borrowed, hitched to a truck in Item Three | Covered under symbol 7's trailer clause | Not paid under that clause, which names liability only |
Does commercial auto insurance cover the mowers and skid steer on the trailer?
ISO's business auto form makes mobile equipment a covered auto for liability only while a covered auto carries or tows it, and a carrier's form may differ. CA 00 01 11 20 Section V.K.1 defines mobile equipment to include "Bulldozers, farm machinery, forklifts and other vehicles designed for use principally off public roads," Section V.B says ""auto" does not include "mobile equipment"," and Section I.C.2 adds ""Mobile equipment" while being carried or towed by a covered "auto"" to the covered autos for liability coverage. The form names no mower or skid steer, and the policy issued decides whether a given machine is covered; ask the insurer about each machine by make and model.
The load and the loading are excluded on the same form. Section II.B.6 excludes property damage "involving property owned or transported by the "insured" or in the "insured's" care, custody or control," which reaches sod, plants and tools in the bed, and Section II.B.8 excludes injury or damage from moving property "by a mechanical device (other than a hand truck) unless the device is attached to the covered "auto"."
What do you send for a landscaping truck quote, and what happens next?
Redoubt quotes a landscaping operation from one list: the trucks and trailers, what rides on them, the drivers, any paid hauling for others, and the prior coverage. Text Redoubt the list below, and Redoubt will say what can be bound now, what needs the carrier, and what to send back.
- Each truck and trailer: year, make, model, body type and value, and which trailers the business owns and which it borrows
- What rides on each trailer, such as mowers, a skid steer, sod or mulch, and its rough value
- Every driver, seasonal hires included: name, date of birth, licence number and class
- Whether any crew hauls soil, rock, mulch or other material for others for a fee
- A paragraph on what the business does, and the USDOT number if it has one
- The date coverage has to start, and the current declarations page or the dates of prior coverage
Sources: 26
Is a seasonal crew member covered driving the company truck?
ISO CA 00 01 11 20 Section II.A.1.b makes an insured of "Anyone else while using with your permission a covered "auto" you own, hire or borrow," subject to the exceptions the form lists.
Does the truck policy pay when a crew member is hurt in a landscaping truck accident?
Not for liability to that crew member: ISO CA 00 01 11 20 Section II.B.4 excludes ""Bodily injury" to: a. An "employee" of the "insured" arising out of and in the course of: (1) Employment by the "insured"," and Section II.B.3 excludes workers' compensation obligations, so ask about the business's workers' compensation policy.
Is a landscaping truck with a snow plow still an auto on the policy?
Yes, under ISO CA 00 01 11 20 Section V.K.6.a: self-propelled vehicles with permanently attached equipment designed primarily for snow removal "are not "mobile equipment" but will be considered "autos"."
Where these answers come from
Each entry carries the exact words of the source so you can check it yourself. Forms, rules and carrier pages change; read the current version before acting.
- 1. Utah Insurance Department, Business Use Of Your Auto
“If you use your vehicle for any purpose other than driving to work and pleasure use, you may need a commercial auto policy, or you may need to see if your personal auto policy can be endorsed to cover your specific business use.”
insurance.utah.gov, accessed October 12, 2026. The page prints no date. - 2. Utah Insurance Department, Business Use Of Your Auto, examples list
“Examples of situations where you may need a commercial or business policy, or where you will need to have your current policy changed to provide you with the necessary coverage include, but are not limited to: Delivery (pizza, newspaper) Catering Door-to-door consulting service, such as cosmetics sales Landscaping service Snowplowing service”
insurance.utah.gov, accessed October 12, 2026. The examples are a bulleted list on the page, joined here as the text reads. The list continues with logging, realtor, daycare or church retreat van service and farm-to-market delivery. The page prints no date. - 3. Utah Code 31A-22-304(2), motor vehicle liability minimums from January 1, 2025
“a policy issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, containing motor vehicle liability coverage may not limit the insurer's liability under that coverage below the following: (a) (i) $30,000 because of liability for bodily injury to or death of one person”
le.utah.gov, accessed October 12, 2026. (2)(a)(ii) sets $65,000 for two or more persons and (2)(a)(iii) $25,000 for property damage. - 4. Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers, About CAR
“Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) is the industry operated residual market and statistical agent for motor vehicle insurance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
commauto.com, accessed October 12, 2026. CAR's own description of itself; the manual it publishes is primary for CAR's rules only. - 5. CAR Commercial Automobile Insurance Manual, Section III Rule 52, purpose and size class
“The following classification procedures apply for the purpose of determining premiums.”
commauto.com, accessed October 12, 2026. Rule 52 then sets fleet, size, business use and radius classes; the size paragraph says a size class "is determined based on the vehicle's gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross combination weight (GCW)." Primary only for CAR's own rules; CAR describes itself as the Massachusetts residual market (source car-about). - 6. CAR Commercial Automobile Insurance Manual, Section III Rule 52, Service Use
“Service Use – automobiles used for transporting the insured's personnel, tools, equipment, and incidental supplies to or from a job location. This classification is confined to automobiles principally parked at job locations for the majority of the working day or used to transport supervisory personnel between job locations.”
commauto.com, accessed October 12, 2026. Rule 52, Business Use Class, paragraph a, page 4 of 21. Primary only for CAR's own rules; CAR describes itself as the Massachusetts residual market (source car-about). - 7. Merchants Insurance Group, Commercial Auto Classifications help page, Service Use
“Autos used for transporting the insured's personnel, tools, equipment and incidental supplies to and from a job location.”
secure.merchantsgroup.com, accessed October 12, 2026. primary for Merchants only. The page defines Retail Use and Commercial Use in the same words as the CAR manual. - 8. CAR Commercial Automobile Insurance Manual, Section III Rule 52, Retail Use and Commercial Use
“Retail Use – automobiles used to pick up property from, or deliver property to individual households. c. Commercial Use – automobiles used for transporting property other than those automobiles defined as service or retail.”
commauto.com, accessed October 12, 2026. Page 5 of 21, paragraphs b and c. Primary only for CAR's own rules; CAR describes itself as the Massachusetts residual market (source car-about). - 9. CAR Commercial Automobile Insurance Manual, Section III Rule 52, trucks with more than one use
“If a truck, tractor, or trailer has more than one use, use the classification with the highest use factor for BI and PD from the Primary Classifications Rating Factors and Statistical Codes table in the Rate Section unless 80% or more of the use is in a single lower rated activity.”
commauto.com, accessed October 12, 2026. The next sentence: "In that case, use the lower rated classification." Primary only for CAR's own rules; CAR describes itself as the Massachusetts residual market (source car-about). - 10. CAR Commercial Automobile Insurance Manual, Section III Rule 52, local radius class
“Local – up to 50 miles – the automobile is not operated beyond a radius of 50 miles from the street address where such automobile is principally garaged.”
commauto.com, accessed October 12, 2026. Intermediate is 51 to 200 miles and long distance over 200; a truck takes the longest radius class unless 80% or more of its operation is in one shorter class. Primary only for CAR's own rules; CAR describes itself as the Massachusetts residual market (source car-about). - 11. CAR Commercial Automobile Insurance Manual, Section III Rule 52.A.1, fleet classification
“Any risk that has five or more self-propelled automobiles of any type that are under one ownership. For the purpose of assigning this classification, do not include: a. automobiles owned by allied or subsidiary interests unless the insured holds a majority financial interest. b. mobile equipment insured on a General Liability Policy. c. trailers,”
commauto.com, accessed October 12, 2026. Item c continues "but apply the fleet classification to the trailers if the risk otherwise is classified as a fleet." Primary only for CAR's own rules; CAR describes itself as the Massachusetts residual market (source car-about). - 12. CAR Commercial Automobile Insurance Manual, Section III Rule 52, size class for trailers
“b. Trailers – any trailer with load capacity over 2,000 pounds, other than a semitrailer. c. Service or Utility Trailer – any trailer or semitrailer with load capacity of 2,000 pounds or less.”
commauto.com, accessed October 12, 2026. Size Class – Trailers, page 3 of 21; paragraph a covers semitrailers. Primary only for CAR's own rules; CAR describes itself as the Massachusetts residual market (source car-about). - 13. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Business Auto Coverage Form, Section I.C, certain trailers and mobile equipment
“If Covered Autos Liability Coverage is provided by this Coverage Form, the following types of vehicles are also covered "autos" for Covered Autos Liability Coverage: 1. "Trailers" with a registered Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 3,000 pounds or less designed primarily for travel on public roads. 2. "Mobile equipment" while being carried or towed by a covered "auto".”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 14. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Section I, covered autos by coverage
“Item Two of the Declarations shows the "autos" that are covered "autos" for each of your coverages. The following numerical symbols describe the "autos" that may be covered "autos".”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 15. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Section I.A, symbol 7, specifically described autos
“Only those "autos" described in Item Three of the Declarations for which a premium charge is shown (and for Covered Autos Liability Coverage any "trailers" you don't own while attached to any power unit described in Item Three).”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. Symbols 2 and 4 carry the same liability clause for trailers attached to power units the business owns. A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 16. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Section I.B.2, autos acquired mid-term under symbol 7
“a. We already cover all "autos" that you own for that coverage or it replaces an "auto" you previously owned that had that coverage; and b. You tell us within 30 days after you acquire it that you want us to cover it for that coverage.”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. The paragraph opens "But, if Symbol 7 is entered next to a coverage in Item Two of the Declarations, an "auto" you acquire after the policy period begins will be a covered "auto" for that coverage only if:". A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 17. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Section III.A.1, physical damage coverage
“We will pay for "loss" to a covered "auto" or its equipment under: a. Comprehensive Coverage”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. Specified causes of loss and collision follow as b and c; each applies to the autos its symbol in Item Two reaches. A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 18. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Section V.K.1, definition of mobile equipment
“"Mobile equipment" means any of the following types of land vehicles, including any attached machinery or equipment: 1. Bulldozers, farm machinery, forklifts and other vehicles designed for use principally off public roads;”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. The definition closes by making any land vehicle subject to a compulsory or financial responsibility law where licensed or garaged an auto, not mobile equipment. A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 19. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Section V.B, definition of auto
“"Auto" means: 1. A land motor vehicle, "trailer" or semitrailer designed for travel on public roads; or 2. Any other land vehicle that is subject to a compulsory or financial responsibility law or other motor vehicle insurance law where it is licensed or principally garaged. However, "auto" does not include "mobile equipment".”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 20. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Section II.B.6, Care, Custody Or Control exclusion
“"Property damage" to or "covered pollution cost or expense" involving property owned or transported by the "insured" or in the "insured's" care, custody or control.”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. The exclusion does not apply to liability assumed under a sidetrack agreement. A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 21. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Section II.B.8, Movement Of Property By Mechanical Device exclusion
“"Bodily injury" or "property damage" resulting from the movement of property by a mechanical device (other than a hand truck) unless the device is attached to the covered "auto".”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 22. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Section V.K.6.a, snow removal equipment
“However, self-propelled vehicles with the following types of permanently attached equipment are not "mobile equipment" but will be considered "autos": a. Equipment designed primarily for: (1) Snow removal;”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. The quote runs across a column break in the PDF text layer. A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 23. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Section II.A.1, Who Is An Insured
“The following are "insureds": a. You for any covered "auto". b. Anyone else while using with your permission a covered "auto" you own, hire or borrow except:”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 24. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Section II.B.4, Employee Indemnification And Employer's Liability exclusion
“"Bodily injury" to: a. An "employee" of the "insured" arising out of and in the course of: (1) Employment by the "insured"; or”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. The exclusion does not apply to domestic employees not entitled to workers' compensation benefits or to liability assumed under an insured contract. A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 25. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Section II.B.3, Workers' Compensation exclusion
“Any obligation for which the "insured" or the "insured's" insurer may be held liable under any workers' compensation, disability benefits or unemployment compensation law or any similar law.”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 12, 2026. A carrier's policy may use its own form or endorsements that change this wording. - 26. Redoubt, commercial auto insurance guide, what to send
“Text Redoubt the broker packet, the lender's insurance letter, the platform's upload screen or the renewal itself, with the vehicles and the date you need it by. We will say what can be bound now, what needs the carrier, and what to send back.”
www.redoubt.insure, accessed October 12, 2026
The personal auto policy will not cover the work use, or the claim came back denied
Contractors, lawn operators and gig drivers: when a personal policy stops applying and what a commercial policy changes.
Elsewhere on the site
Your crews tow mowers and trailers to job sites
Text Redoubt the year, make, model, body type and value of each truck and trailer and which trailers you own, what rides on them, every driver's name, date of birth and licence number, your USDOT number if you have one, a paragraph on what the business does and whether the crews haul for others for a fee, your current declarations page, and the date cover has to start, and we will talk through what can be bound now, what needs the carrier, and what to send back.
This is general insurance information, not legal advice or a coverage determination. The policy forms, the endorsements the carrier issues, and the requirement in writing from whoever is asking control.