A Christmas tree lot runs for six weeks. A pumpkin patch runs for eight to ten. Neither one looks like the kind of business most general liability policies are written for, which is exactly why seasonal operators end up with more questions than a standard application answers.
The core policy: general liability
The baseline most lots and patches apply for is general liability, structured as $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. That’s the number a landlord, shopping center, or church parking lot will usually ask for in a lease. If your lease or contract calls for something higher, say so on the application — higher limits can be quoted, but only if the underwriter knows to look for them.
Why the certificate of insurance matters more than the policy itself
Most property owners never read the policy. They ask for one document: a certificate of insurance, or COI, that proves coverage is active and often lists them as an additional insured. Without it, a lot doesn’t open, full stop — see what landlords typically ask for before signing.
Picking a term
Applications ask for a 3-month or 6-month term. A tree lot open Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve usually fits the shorter term; a pumpkin patch running Labor Day through Halloween, plus setup and teardown on either end, often needs the longer one. More detail on choosing between them is in the term-length guide.
What the application actually asks
- Whether the business is a tree lot, a pumpkin patch, or both.
- Up to five business locations, plus a separate mailing address if it’s different.
- Estimated gross sales for the entire season — not a full calendar year.
- Whether a landlord or venue requires additional insured status, and at what limit.
- Whether the business offers delivery, a cut-your-own-tree service, or higher-risk attractions like inflatables, hayrides, or petting zoos.
None of those questions are there to slow you down. A landlord’s limit requirement changes what gets quoted; an inflatable or a petting zoo changes who underwrites it. Answering accurately the first time is what keeps a quote moving in one business day instead of two weeks of follow-up emails.