Small landscape companies in Washington now have access to a group health plan that was previously out of reach. The Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP) has partnered with Anything Insurance and the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) to open the BIAW Health Trust to WALP member companies. The announcement was made by WALP State President Dave Haizlip at the Northwest Nurseries Summer BBQ on August 12.
The Health Trust is a group health plan open only to member businesses. Many members save 10 to 15% over what they pay today on health benefits. Plans include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, plus an employee assistance program. Members pick from more than 50 plans and build coverage around what their crews need. A service team answers questions from the company and from employees.
The two-employee minimum is what makes the program especially valuable for smaller landscape companies. On their own, small employers are priced like the small group they are, with limited buying power. Through WALP, member companies gain access to a large group health plan and the greater buying power that comes with it.
Haizlip emphasized the importance of the benefit. "We’ve worked on bringing this benefit to WALP members for quite some time because access to quality, affordable health insurance can make a real difference for landscape companies and their employees. Whether it’s a small company offering benefits for the first time or a larger company looking to reduce costs, this gives our members access to greater buying power. When we announced the partnership at the Northwest Nurseries Summer BBQ and immediately had a small company member ask who they could contact to learn more, it reinforced exactly why we pursued this."
For landscape companies, health insurance can be a significant expense and an important tool for attracting and retaining employees. The Health Trust gives WALP members access to group health coverage and competitive pricing that may otherwise be difficult to obtain on their own. This is particularly crucial in a tight labor market where benefits are a key differentiator for small businesses competing for skilled workers.
Access to the program is available exclusively to active WALP member companies. Landscape companies interested in the program can learn more about WALP membership at walp.org.
The partnership reflects a broader trend of industry associations leveraging their collective membership to negotiate better insurance rates, providing a tangible return on membership dues. By opening the BIAW Health Trust to its members, WALP is directly addressing one of the most persistent challenges for small businesses: the cost and complexity of providing employee health benefits. This move could help level the playing field for landscape companies against larger competitors, enabling them to offer robust benefits packages that attract and retain top talent.
