Safety Training Pays Off: How a Strong Safety Culture Can Influence Your Insurance Costs

Running a successful pest control company involves more than keeping pests out of customers’ homes and businesses - it means keeping your team safe while they do it. From driving between service calls to navigating attics, crawlspaces, and rooftops, pest control technicians face a wide range of risks every day. And those risks come with real financial consequences especially when it comes to insurance.

While many factors go into determining insurance premiums like claims history, company size, geographic location, and services offered, one factor you can influence directly is your safety training program. A commitment to a consistent, comprehensive safety training can reduce accidents in the long run and help you control what you pay for coverage.

Insurance Premiums and the Cost of Risk

At PestSure, we work with pest management companies across the country and see firsthand how safety practices affect claims, losses, and insurance costs. When your company has frequent claims due to preventable accidents, carriers take notice and rates often rise accordingly.

But when companies invest in safety culture and training, the opposite tends to happen -  fewer accidents, fewer claims, and more control over premiums.

Insurance is about managing risk and the more you show that your company takes hazard mitigation seriously, the more favorable your outcomes will be.

Training That Makes a Difference

So, what should your safety training focus on? Start with the areas where pest control professionals are most vulnerable:

Driver Safety and Distracted Driving - Vehicle accidents are one of the most common and costly claims in the industry. Training drivers on defensive driving, avoiding distractions (especially mobile devices), proper vehicle maintenance, and safe following distances can significantly reduce crash risk. The use of telematics is becoming more common and valuable additions to these efforts.

Ladder Usage - Falls from ladders can result in serious injuries and extended time away from work. Train your team on ladder inspection, proper placement, three-point contact, and overreach avoidance. Reinforce that safety takes priority over speed.

Pesticide Application - Proper chemical handling protects employees and clients alike. Ensure technicians are trained in label compliance, PPE usage, spill response, storage protocols and accurate documentation of work performed. Documenting services ensures a clear record in case of questions or concerns.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention - Wet lawns, tight spaces, uneven sidewalks and cluttered job sites can all lead to slips and trips. Teaching situational awareness and worksite assessment, safe footwear practices, and good housekeeping can lower the risk of injuries in and around client properties.

Working in Attics and Crawlspaces - These areas are tight, dark, and often hazardous. Training should include pre-entry assessment, identifying adequate ventilation, heat stress prevention, rodent droppings and insulation risks, and ensuring communication protocols are in place when technicians work alone in these spaces.

The Ripple Effects of Safety

Here’s what a solid safety training program does beyond lowering accident rates:

Reduces Workers’ Comp Claims – Fewer injuries mean less lost time, fewer medical costs, and a more productive workforce.

Improves Employee Morale – Workers who feel safe are more confident, loyal, and engaged.

Strengthens Your Reputation – Clients trust companies that take care of their people and operate professionally.

Positions You More Favorably with Insurers – A documented safety program with ongoing training and accountability demonstrates your commitment to loss prevention.

Turning Training into Savings

It’s important to remember that insurance premiums reflect risk, not just cost. While you can’t control every factor, you can control your company’s commitment to safety.

That means the following:

• Holding regular, documented safety meetings
• Tracking incidents and near-misses
• Holding employees accountable for safe behavior
• Updating training materials as new risks and tools emerge
• Encouraging a speak-up culture when safety concerns arise

At PestSure, we believe safety is more than a policy, it’s a performance driver. When you create a culture where safety is built into every route, every service call, and every decision, the benefits show up in more than just your claim numbers. They show up in your team’s confidence, your company’s reputation, and, over time, your bottom line.

You can’t eliminate every risk, but you can minimize it with training, leadership, and follow-through. And when it comes to insurance, that’s a risk worth reducing.

PestSure – Your Partner in Safety

Founded in 1980, PestSure is the only insurance and risk management provider that is 100 percent dedicated to the pest management industry. It offers industry professionals a full suite of insurance, risk management, and safety training and education offerings.

PestSure provides insurance, safety and risk management consulting to pest management companies representing $2 billion in revenue, $750 million in payroll and more than 16,500 service vehicles. The program is administered by Alliant Insurance Services.

Call 888.984.3813 or visit our contact page for more information.