aka: Why Posting Every Side Hustle Could Be Sinking Your Coverage
Picture This:
You quote a landscaping business that says they do mowing and mulch. Cool. Straightforward. Nothing wild.
Then the underwriter checks out their website… and sees drone footage of them pressure washing a 3-story church steeple from a ladder, no harness, no spotter, no fear—just pure pressure-washing bravado.
Cue the underwriter slowly leaning back in their chair, palm to forehead, whispering, “Why do they always say ‘just lawn care’?”
That $2,400/year quote? Yeah, it just evaporated faster than a puddle in August. Welcome to Declinedville—population: You.
Why This Happens (And How to Avoid It)
Underwriters don’t live in a vacuum. They Google. They scroll. They sleuth.
They’re looking at:
- Your website
- Facebook & Instagram
- Google Business Profile
- Yelp, Angi, and that suspiciously viral TikTok of you pressure washing a trampoline
And if any of those places suggest you’re doing work outside what’s listed on your insurance app — things get spicy fast.
Red Flags That Raise Eyebrows (and Rates)
You say “mowing,” but your homepage is a slideshow of:
- Gutter cleanouts from ladders that would make OSHA cry
- Full-scale hardscaping projects
- Tree removal scenes shot like an action movie
Each one of these could:
- Trigger extra underwriting questions
- Raise your rate
- Or lead to a flat-out denial
What It Really Costs You
Even if they don’t deny the quote outright:
- You might get a higher classification = more $$$
- They could exclude certain types of work from your policy
- Or worse — deny a claim because “that wasn’t covered”
It’s like telling your auto insurer you drive to the office… but your Insta is just burnout videos and monster truck rally selfies.
How to Clean Up (Without Nuking Your Website)
We’re not saying you can’t post cool content.
We’re saying: don’t let your side hustle content look like your main gig.
Here’s how to keep it clean (insurance-approved, not just pressure-washed):
- Stick to your specialty on the homepage
- Archive or untag random one-off projects
- Create a “Past Projects” gallery for miscellaneous jobs
- Call us before adding new services to your website or marketing
Smart Marketing = Lower Rates
Niche businesses win. Specializing doesn’t just make you look like a pro — it helps keep your insurance rating clean and affordable.
So unless you’re actually running “Lawn Care + High-Risk Ladder Work LLC”… tone it down.
Bottom Line:
Your website shouldn’t look like a “What Not To Do” safety reel.
Let it sell your strengths, not sink your rates.
Be honest
Market what you’re insured for
Let us help you stay covered and competitive
Click here to get an awesome quote — no gutter pics required