Tree Service & Arborist Business Insurance

Tree Service & Arborist Business Insurance

Protecting crews, clients, and high-risk aerial operations

Tree service and arborist operations involve some of the most physically dangerous work in any industry — climbing trees, operating chainsaws and chippers, removing large limbs over structures, and working near power lines and occupied properties. From worker injuries and property damage to equipment accidents and environmental liability, tree service risk is aerial, equipment-intensive, and uniquely hazardous. Whether operating a small residential tree trimming company or a large commercial tree care and removal firm, exposures can arise from every limb cut, every climb made, and every piece of equipment in operation.

Properly structured insurance is essential to protect crews, client property, equipment, and the business behind every job.

Key Risks in Operations

• Employee injuries from falls, chainsaw accidents, and aerial work

• Property damage from falling limbs, trees, or debris during removal

• Equipment accidents involving chippers, cranes, and aerial lifts

• Third-party bodily injury from falling debris or equipment operation

• Auto accidents involving heavy trucks and equipment trailers

• Damage to underground utilities during stump grinding or root work

• Environmental liability from improper debris disposal or chemical applications

Losses can arise even when the business is professionally managed.

Core Coverages

General Liability
Protects against bodily injury and property damage claims arising from tree service operations at residential or commercial properties.

Workers Compensation
Provides coverage for climber, ground crew, and equipment operator injuries — the single most critical coverage in tree service operations given the extreme physical hazards.

Commercial Auto
Covers trucks, chippers, stump grinders, and equipment trailers used for job site access and equipment transport.

Inland Marine / Equipment Coverage
Protects chainsaws, chippers, aerial lifts, rigging equipment, and specialty arborist tools from theft or damage.

Umbrella / Excess Liability
Provides additional limits for severe property damage or bodily injury claims from high-risk aerial removal jobs.

Pollution Liability
Covers claims arising from chemical applications, herbicide treatments, or improper debris and waste disposal.

What's Commonly Overlooked

Insurance programs are often weakened by:

• Inadequate workers compensation limits for the extreme injury exposure of aerial tree work

• Missing equipment coverage for high-value chippers, aerial lifts, and specialty tools

• Insufficient general liability limits for large removal jobs near occupied structures

• Gaps in auto coverage for heavy trucks and specialty equipment trailers

• No pollution liability for chemical tree treatment or herbicide applications

• Failure to cover subcontractors brought in for large or specialty removal jobs

These issues typically surface at claim time — not before.

Real-World Claim Examples

• A climber falls from a tree during a removal and sustains severe injuries

• A falling limb damages a client's roof, vehicle, or neighboring property

• A chipper accident results in a serious worker injury

• Stump grinding damages an underground utility line

• A tree falls in an unintended direction and damages a structure

Even a single claim can disrupt operations, damage client relationships, or impact cash flow.

Why Proper Placement Matters

Coverage varies significantly based on:

• Types of work performed (trimming, removal, stump grinding, emergency storm work)

• Employee count and aerial climbing crew size

• Equipment value and heavy machinery in operation

• Residential vs. commercial account mix

• Prior claims history — a significant underwriting factor in tree service

Improper placement can lead to uncovered claims, contract losses, or regulatory exposure.

Our Approach

At Cory Washington & Co., we structure tree service and arborist insurance programs around the extreme physical hazard and property damage exposure of professional tree care operations. We lead with workers compensation and general liability and build a complete program covering equipment, auto, and pollution liability to protect every crew member on every job.

High-risk work. Maximum protection.