Tree Service Insurance

If it’s got anything to do with trees, shrubs, or stumps, it’s got your name on it. Tree service companies can be found cutting, grinding, and removing vegetation on a daily basis — leaving you much more exposed compared to someone working at a desk job.

The more liability you face, the more you can benefit from having the right types of insurance coverage. You’ll need more protection than typical landscapers insurance policies.

Tree service insurance requirements

The two most popular required insurance coverages for those in the tree service industry are tree service liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance.

If you have employees, most states will require you to have tree service workers’ comp. Even if you are working on your own, hiring parties (like general contractors or homeowners) will typically require arborists to have their own Certificate of Insurance so they are no longer held liable should an accident occur.

Tree service liability insurance, which refers to general liability insurance, is often required by hiring parties to ensure they are protected while you are working on their job site.

Tree service liability insurance

Working amongst huge trees, branches, and bushes — while handling large power tools and equipment — has liability written all over it. General liability insurance is a very important insurance coverage for tree trimmers, tree removers, and stump grinders because it protects them against the many things that can go wrong while on the job.

General liability insurance covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, and personal/advertising injury. Here a few examples of how liability insurance for tree service businesses can come in handy:

  • Third-party bodily injury: You’re working in a residential backyard doing stump removal. The homeowner comes out back to check in on how things are progressing, and trips over some scrap wood — causing them to fall and break their ankle. General liability insurance would help pay for the medical costs associated with the accident.
  • Property damage: You’re trimming a tree that’s dangerously close to falling on a house. A large branch accidentally falls on top of the roof, damaging the flashing. General liability insurance will pay for replacement or repair costs.
  • Personal/advertising injury: We all know what it’s like to have a bad day at work. And sometimes, it leads to venting on social media. Should a dissatisfied customer see your angry post, general liability protects you from claims involving libel or slander. This policy also covers copyright infringement.
  • Should a client decide to file a lawsuit, court costs and legal fees are covered.
Learn more about general liability insurance.

Arborist workers’ comp

You face a significant amount of risk when you’re handling heavy machinery and working above ground. Workers’ compensation is a crucial coverage for tree trimmers, because it protects you and your employees in the event of a job-related injury.

Tree service insurance is critical to the wellbeing of you, your employees, as well as your business — especially when it pertains to workers’ comp insurance.

Arborist workers’ comp protects tree cutters from illnesses and injuries that occur on the job. This includes slip and fall accidents, back strains from lifting heavy pieces of wood, faulty harness injuries, and more.

Workers’ compensation insurance covers medical bills associated with work-related injuries. If you or an employee requires time off work to heal, lost wages may be compensated. Should you need an extended length of time to recover, long-term benefits may be available, as well.

In addition, if an employee decides to sue you for an unsafe work environment, this policy will protect you — and will cover legal fees and court costs.

Learn more about workers’ comp.

Check out our detailed breakdown of workers’ comp rates.

Commercial property insurance for tree trimmers

Another recommended type of tree service insurance is commercial property insurance. Also known as business property insurance, this policy covers the work tools, equipment, and inventory that you rely on to get your job done (while on business premises).

Business property insurance protects your gear in the event of a fire, theft, vandalism, or natural disaster. If something gets damaged while on premises, this policy will pay for it to be replaced or repaired.

Arborist inland marine insurance

Commercial property is great, as long as you are on (or within 500 feet of) your business premises. After that, your coverage is no longer valid. To ensure your business property has the right protection on the go, you will need inland marine insurance.

This form of property insurance protects your gear in transit and while on location.

Commercial auto insurance for tree service companies

Odds are you don’t rely on your sedan to get your work equipment to your job site. If you have a vehicle that is owned by your business, you will need commercial auto insurance. Most insurance companies will not cover work-related accidents through your personal auto insurance.

Hired & non-owned auto insurance

Hired & non-owned auto insurance provides coverage to vehicles you borrow, rent, or hire on behalf of your business. If you have employees that use their personal vehicle for work-related purposes, this policy will extend liability coverage to the company if they are involved in an accident.

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