I run a small unofficial landscaping business. I get payed under the table I have no insurance on my business or anything. Im looking to by a bigger mower to make my life easier. But I need a trailer to do that. Im looking to get a crappy 5x8 utility trailer and call it a day. I have Geico insurance does that cover a trailer automatically or not and if not do I even need insurance because I will
store all my equipment inside?

 

At least with State Farm liability for the trailer is covered by the tow vehicle. However since you are using it commercially you would probably need a business rider on the truck, I did with Sate Farm, I don't believe it was very much but a long time ago.

Also in Ohio you need to have the truck and trailer listed as commercial or the fines can be fairly stiff.

 

So when you get involved in a collision...and the insurance provider asks what you were doing and why there were landscaping equipment and such items in the trailer...I guess you could just lie to them.

There is a very large and wide mis understanding when it comes to doing small business work and most think and believe that getting paid cash is the most profitable way to earn quick and easy money.

The reality is that if a person wishes to be an entrepreneur, and operate a small business that there are so many areas of opportunity including many areas of tax breaks and a period of non profitability in order to grow and develop the business that have benefits which far far exceed any cash deal work agreement.

Just my 2 cents...if you really want to make(save) money...consider doing it the right way above board.

 

So you want to have your things protected, yet not help towards life essential services by paying taxes. hmmm, not my type of guy to give advise to.

 

You get what you pay for, have you read the fine print of your policy? If you are not telling Geico what you are doing, you could be in serious peril when insurance is needed especially with an insurance provider like Geico. They need money for commercials not paying claims! JMO

 

There are a lot of variables here. GENERALLY speaking a trailer IS covered whilst hooked to your tow vehicle by the tow vehicle's policy. But the contents of the trailer are NOT covered. Nor is ANYTHING covered if the trailer is not hooked up to a tow vehicle. This varies from insurance companies. I would review your Geico policy to see what it specifically states about this question...we all can guess all day, but you need to know. Regardless, from what little research I did, your mower and other landscaping equipment will not be covered from theft or damage, etc.
I had bought a new utility trailer a couple of years ago when I bought my truck as I didn't want to put anything in the bed...limbs, construction debris, etc. I pay about $40 per year for insurance on it...which covers anything in it as well as theft...I believe it is a $15K policy.

Not to go down this road too much, but it is a good idea to have some sort of liability insurance on you/your business...otherwise you risk the wrath of a disgruntled customer taking out a mechanic's lien and ruining you, in the event something happened. There's a reason why reputable businesses prominently display things like, "bonded and insured" in their advertising.

 

Legal/liability/insurance advice on the Internet is worth exactly what you pay for it.

Check with your insurer or an attorney.

 

look at his original post, unofficial and under the table! He is either a bot or just looking to steal more! JMO

 

then jump down this rabbit hole - with that truck and trailer the combination weight rating may exceed 10k lbs in which case you now fall under the watchful eye of DOT. Again, may never be an issue but end up in at-fault accident and it all turns real ugly, real fast

 

I'm an insurance agent. The liability insurance on your tow vehicle will protect you from claims.

BUT that assumes you insured it as a commercial vehicle. If your tow vehicle is insured as a personal vehicle, your insurance is likely going to have a problem with providing you with any coverage because of its commercial usage-if they ask the question about the use of the trailer. Even at a state RMV commercial registrations are different to personal ones.

It may cost more to run legal, but I'd rather do it.