To say the cannabis industry is growing is an understatement. Today, the $20+ billion cannabis market serves about 52 million U.S. adults. And it all starts with you, the cultivator. Manufacturers, retailers, and consumers down the line rely on the extraordinary care you put into growing the best plants you can.
It’s a rewarding career – but with reward comes risk. With the right insurance and risk management plan, you can protect your business, employees, and customers.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Why do cannabis cultivators need insurance?
- What kind of insurance do cultivators need?
- How much does cannabis cultivation insurance cost?
- Are surety bonds required for cannabis cultivators?
- Managing risk as a cultivator
- Choosing a risk partner that understands your cannabis cultivation business
Why do cannabis cultivators need insurance?
Like most businesses, cannabis cultivation operations need insurance to protect them from financial, legal, and reputational risks.
It’s not just about your run-of-the-mill business risk, though. Cannabis operations face a variety of potential risks unique to this evolving industry.
One such risk: a major issue with your crop. Many factors – some within your control, some outside – can impact the quality of your crop. If a significant problem like disease pops up, can affect your profitability long-term or even lead to insolvency.
A specialized cannabis crop insurance policy can help protect your business if something impacts the viability of your crop.
What kind of insurance do cultivators need?
There are many types of insurance that could benefit your business. That’s why it’s important to follow a consultative approach to understand the full scope of your exposures. Then, your agent can help identify insurance solutions to mitigate your risk.
Here are some policies we often recommend for cannabis cultivators. To help you prioritize, we’ve broken them down into required, recommended, and additional coverage to consider.
Required insurance for cultivators
Legal insurance requirements are dictated by your state’s Department of Insurance and cannabis regulatory body. Thus, the coverage required for your cannabis business depends on which state(s) you operate in.
Your insurance agent can help you identify the specific requirements for your business. Here are a couple of commonly required cannabis insurance policies.
General liability insurance
Some states require certain types of cannabis businesses to have general liability coverage up to specified limits.
What does general liability insurance cover?
General liability covers claims that your business caused bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury. It helps protect your company from financial losses due to lawsuits or other legal claims.
When we recommend a general liability policy
A general liability insurance policy protects your business at the most fundamental level. We recommend it for most businesses that interact with the public or clients.
Workers’ comp insurance
In most states, businesses with a certain number of employees must carry workers’ compensation.
What does workers’ compensation insurance cover?
Workers’ comp insurance covers medical costs and lost wages for employees who are injured or become ill on the job.
When we recommend workers’ comp
This no-fault insurance policy protects you and your employees from the financial impact of workplace injuries. We recommend it for most businesses with employees.
Recommended insurance for cultivators
These policies are likely not legally required, but we consider them essential coverage for all cannabis cultivation businesses.
Crop insurance
Crop insurance is critical for cannabis growing operations. Since cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, traditional crop insurance policies won’t cover these operations, but specialized policies can cover cannabis.
These policies cover cannabis plants from seed to sale – not just while they’re growing. All living plant material, including seeds, immature seedlings, and flowering plants, are covered.
What’s covered by crop insurance for cultivation businesses? The policy covers losses due to:
- Fire
- Windstorm
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Natural disasters
- Other events that impact your ability to harvest and sell your cannabis crop
When we recommend crop insurance
We recommend a crop insurance policy for all cannabis cultivators.
Commercial property insurance
Commercial property insurance protects your building and physical property from events like:
- Fire
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Natural disasters
It covers financial losses from property damage, lost income, and other expenses while recovering.
When we recommend commercial property
We recommend commercial property coverage for most cannabis businesses that own or rent property, including buildings, equipment, inventory, and supplies.
Product liability insurance
Product liability insurance covers claims that your product caused injury or property damage. It’s a common policy for businesses that manufacture or sell products. It covers costs related to a product liability claim, such as:
- Legal defense
- Settlements
- Judgments
When we recommend product liability
We recommend product liability coverage to any business that cultivates, manufactures, distributes, or sells physical products – in other words, most cannabis businesses.
Hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA)
If your employees use their own vehicles for business, their personal auto policies might not cover accidents on the job. You’ll need an HNOA policy to cover vehicles used for, but not owned by your business. Some examples:
- Employees’ personal vehicles
- Vehicles that are leased, rented, or borrowed
When we recommend HNOA
We recommend HNOA coverage for businesses using employees’ personal vehicles or rented vehicles.
Crime insurance
Crime insurance covers losses caused by criminal acts like:
- Theft
- Robbery
- Fraud
- Embezzlement
These acts could be by your own employees or third parties. It covers the costs of investigations, legal defense, and judgments.
When we recommend crime insurance
We recommend crime insurance to most cannabis businesses as they’re vulnerable to crimes like theft, robbery, and fraud.
Cyber insurance
Cyber insurance covers losses caused by a security failure or data breach. It’s beneficial for any business handling customer data. It covers a range of expenses, like:
- Credit monitoring
- Public relations
- Legal fees
- Regulatory fines
When we recommend cyber liability
Nearly every business is exposed to cyber risk. We recommend cyber insurance for any business that uses technology to conduct business or store sensitive information.
Employment practices liability insurance
EPL insurance covers employee claims of wrongful employment practices like discrimination, harassment, or improper hiring. It covers:
- Legal defense costs
- Settlements
- Judgments
When we recommend EPL
We often recommend EPL insurance for businesses with larger numbers of employees, but any company with employees could be exposed to the risk of employment-related claims.
Additional policies to consider for your cultivation business
These policies might also be strong additions to your insurance program, depending on your business details.
Cargo insurance
Inland Marine helps cover the replacement costs if your products or equipment are lost, damaged, or stolen during transport. Cargo coverage is a specific type of inland marine policy that protects goods and merchandise.
When we recommend cargo
We recommend cargo coverage for distributors and transporters, dispensaries with cannabis delivery services, and other businesses transporting cannabis products.
Commercial auto
Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles used for business purposes. In most states, it’s required for commercial vehicles. In case of an accident, it helps cover the cost of:
- Repairs to your vehicle
- Medical bills
- Damage to property
- Legal expenses if someone sues you
When we recommend commercial auto
We recommend commercial auto for cannabis businesses that own vehicles.
Directors & officers (D&O)
D&O insurance covers the personal liability of your company’s directors and officers. It covers claims made against them for management errors like breaches of fiduciary duty or lack of corporate governance. This policy helps protect both your company and your officers from lawsuits.
When we recommend D&O
Any business that has directors or officers can use D&O insurance to protect their personal assets.
How much does cannabis cultivation insurance cost?
Cannabis insurance premiums are often higher than those in other industries because of the perceived high level of risk involved and the lack of historical data. Insurance carriers calculate your premiums using several factors:
- Industry and operations
- Business size, revenue, and payroll
- Claims history
- Risk management practices
Because insurance costs can vary, it’s important to work with a risk manager to find the best solution for your business. Cannabis businesses with complex risk profiles will find the most value from partnering with an independent agent that will help them proactively manage risk for long-term success. Learn more about the benefits of integrated risk management.
Case study: Cannabis-infused product manufacturer saves $30K/year on insurance
We’ve found that cannabis business owners are very smart. They tend to know when they’re not getting their money’s worth on a business decision.
We onboarded a manufacturer of cannabis-infused products with sales projected to double in their newly-recreational market. Their insurance costs were already inflated – and they knew it. Plus, they felt they weren’t receiving informed advice from their current insurance partner.
During their POWERS consultation, we identified areas of redundant coverage and opportunities for improved strategy and policy structure. The results:
- Replaced their old insurance program with a new one, providing greater coverage and higher revenue projections
- Added a new policy to cover previously-unaddressed exposures
- Saved more than $30,000 per year compared to their previous plan
That’s just one example of how a cannabis risk expert can help you hone your risk strategy, better protect your business, and save you money.
Are surety bonds required for cannabis cultivators?
Like insurance, surety bond requirements depend upon your state’s legislation. Many states outline bond requirements for certain types of cannabis businesses.
The best way to find out if your business needs a bond is to rely on your agent’s expertise.
What is a cannabis surety bond?
A bond is a three-party contract between you (the principal), the requiring party (the obligee), and the surety provider. If you fail to perform according to the contract terms, the surety will step in to fulfill your obligation. You will remain liable and will have to repay the surety provider.
The main types of bonds in the cannabis industry are license & permit bonds and sales & use tax bonds. You’ll typically get these bonds during the licensing process.
The purpose of a cannabis bond is to provide a financial guarantee to your state or municipality that you will perform according to the laws and regulations governing your business license.
Managing risk as a cultivator: 4 common risks
1. Crop failure
Cultivators live and breathe the quality of their cannabis plants. Unfortunately, there are many factors that can impact the quality, yield, and viability of your crop, including:
- Pests and disease
- Environmental factors
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Genetic issues
- Inadequate cultivation practices and inexperienced staff
To mitigate these risks and protect your business, start with a robust crop insurance policy. Then, take proactive measures to reduce the risk of the factors you can control. Train staff well and maintain a controlled growing environment.
2. Regulatory compliance
Regulators have a close eye on the cannabis industry. Business owners face a range of regulatory risks, like obtaining and renewing licenses, compliant packaging and labeling, and following testing procedures. They must navigate complex regulations related to cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution.
Failure to follow state and federal laws can result in significant fines, legal liabilities, and reputational damage. For instance, if a cannabis company fails to properly label its products, it could face legal action or fines from regulatory agencies.
To avoid compliance issues:
- Stay up-to-date on the laws and regulations that impact your business
- Hire dedicated compliance personnel
- Partner with a risk advisor specializing in the cannabis industry
3. Workplace injuries
Employees in cannabis grow, production, and retail operations face the risk of workplace injuries. A serious employee injury can cost a business hundreds of thousands of dollars, impact operations, and lower employee morale.
Musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive motion, exposure to harmful substances, and serious injuries from heavy machinery are a few of these risks.
To mitigate the risk associated with workplace injuries:
- Create clear safety policies and protocols and require the use of proper safety equipment
- Conduct regular safety training, inspections, and machine maintenance
- Get adequate workers’ compensation coverage
4. Crime
Grow operations are at risk of theft and unauthorized access due to the high value of marijuana plants. These risks could come from a malicious third party or an employee.
- Implement security measures like surveillance systems, access controls, and inventory management protocols
- Protect your business with a crime insurance policy
Choosing a risk partner that understands your cannabis cultivation business
To protect the business you’ve worked hard to build, insurance alone is not enough. It’s crucial to identify the most critical threats and make strategic decisions that will allow you to grow your business without disruption.
When you partner with POWERS, we’re more than your insurance agency. We’re a true business partner invested in your success. Our philosophy combines:
Deep Expertise
Battle Tested Processes
Cutting-edge Tools
Genuine care for clients
We put programs in place to help you execute your business plans. It’s all about empowering you to mitigate risk and grow your business. That’s the POWERS Promise.