Arborist and tree service insurance
Working at height with chainsaws, near power lines and under falling timber creates exposures few other trades share. We build programs for certified arborists, trimming services and land clearing operations across the Pacific Northwest.
Same-day certificates · Residential, commercial and emergency response
When tree work goes wrong, the losses are large
Tree work is consistently ranked among the most dangerous occupations in the country. A single tree falling in the wrong direction can go through a roof, crush vehicles, damage underground utilities or injure workers and bystanders. Generic contractor coverage doesn't address the scale of these exposures; tree work needs coverage written for it.
Core coverages for tree services
General liability
The foundation of arborist insurance. A misdirected tree can demolish a house, crush vehicles, take down power lines or destroy landscaping. Also covers third-party injuries from struck-by incidents, falling debris and equipment accidents.
- Property damage (homes, vehicles, structures)
- Third-party bodily injury
- Damage to underground utilities
- Falling tree and limb damage
- Debris and cleanup damage
- Legal defense costs
Workers' compensation
Falls, chainsaw lacerations, struck-by limbs, chipper accidents and electrocution create severe injury potential. Washington requires workers' comp for all employees, and tree work claims are often catastrophic.
- Falls from trees, ladders and bucket trucks
- Chainsaw cuts and amputations
- Struck by falling limbs or trees
- Chipper and equipment injuries
- Electrocution from power lines
- Medical treatment and wage replacement
Commercial auto
Trucks, chippers, stump grinders, bucket trucks and trailers, with liability when hauling heavy equipment through neighborhoods. Include hired and non-owned auto for rentals and employee vehicles.
- Work trucks and dump trucks
- Bucket trucks and aerial lifts
- Chippers and equipment trailers
- Stump grinder transport
- Liability for at-fault accidents
- Hired and non-owned auto
Equipment and tools
Inland marine coverage for chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, bucket trucks, rigging and climbing gear, in your yard, on a job site or in transit. Equipment is valuable and frequently targeted by thieves.
- Chainsaws and pole saws
- Wood chippers and shredders
- Stump grinders
- Climbing gear and rigging
- Bucket trucks and aerial equipment
- Theft from job sites and vehicles
Understanding property damage exposure
Tree services carry some of the highest property damage exposures of any contractor class. When a tree falls the wrong way, the result is often a destroyed roof, crushed vehicles or downed power lines affecting a neighborhood. Single-incident property damage claims commonly exceed $100,000, and a tree through a roof can reach $200,000+ once structural damage, interior damage, temporary housing and personal property are counted. A tree on a house, several vehicles or power lines can produce $200,000 to $500,000+ in damages, so minimum liability limits are rarely adequate.
Completed operations coverage matters just as much. If a tree you pruned fails months later due to alleged improper cuts, or root disturbance from your work causes foundation problems, claims arrive long after you've left the site.
Property damage coverage includes: homes and structures; client and neighbor vehicles; power lines and utilities; underground gas, water and sewer lines; landscaping and other trees; pools, fences and outbuildings; completed operations claims; and legal defense costs.
Tree service operations we insure
Residential tree service
Trimming, pruning and removal for homeowners, near homes, vehicles and power lines.
Commercial tree care
Maintenance for commercial properties, HOAs and municipalities, with higher limits.
Tree removal specialists
Hazardous removal, storm damage response and emergency services.
Trimming and pruning
Maintenance pruning, crown reduction and shaping, including climbing and aerial work.
Stump grinding and removal
Stump grinding and root removal, including underground utility strikes.
Storm damage response
Emergency tree removal after storms.
Utility line clearance
Right-of-way clearing and line maintenance near power lines.
Land clearing
Lot clearing, brush removal and site preparation.
Consulting arborists
Tree health and risk assessment and expert testimony, with professional liability.
Tree health and treatment
Disease treatment, pest control and fertilization, with pollution liability.
Tree planting services
Installation and transplanting, including plant material and establishment guarantees.
Firewood operations
Processing and delivery, with product liability and delivery vehicle coverage.
Safety practices carriers reward
Tree work fatalities rank among the highest of any occupation. Carriers review your safety program, training documentation and loss history when pricing coverage; strong practices can significantly reduce premiums, while poor loss experience can make coverage hard to obtain.
ISA certification
Certified arborists demonstrate professional competence (International Society of Arboriculture).
Written safety program
Documented policies and procedures.
PPE requirements
Hard hats, chaps, and eye and ear protection.
Electrical safety
OSHA 1910.269 compliance for line work.
Fall protection
Proper climbing systems and techniques.
Equipment training
Chipper, chainsaw and aerial lift certification.
Job briefings
Pre-work hazard assessment.
First aid and CPR
Emergency response capability on every crew.
Additional coverages for tree services
Completed operations
Claims arising after you've left the job, when pruning decisions or root disturbance cause problems months or years later.
- Tree failure after pruning
- Root damage causing foundation issues
- Improper cuts leading to decay
- Post-removal settling damage
- Disease spread claims
Pollution liability
Claims from herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers. Standard GL excludes pollution.
- Herbicide drift damage
- Pesticide overspray
- Chemical contamination
- Fuel and oil spills
- Cleanup costs
Professional liability
For consulting arborists providing risk assessments, appraisals or expert testimony.
- Tree risk assessment errors
- Appraisal mistakes
- Consulting recommendations
- Expert witness services
- Reports and certifications
Equipment breakdown
Mechanical and electrical failure of chippers, stump grinders and bucket trucks, which standard property excludes.
- Chipper mechanical failure
- Stump grinder breakdown
- Bucket truck hydraulics
- Chainsaw major failures
- Repair and replacement costs
Umbrella / excess liability
Additional limits above GL, auto and employers liability for incidents that generate very large claims.
- Excess over GL
- Excess over auto
- Excess over employers liability
- $1M to $5M+ limits
Employment practices liability
Employee claims of discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination as your company grows.
- Discrimination claims
- Harassment allegations
- Wrongful termination
- Wage and hour disputes
- Retaliation claims
How tree service claims happen
Illustrative examples of tree work losses, and the coverage that typically responds.
A tree falls on a house
A large oak being removed falls the wrong way, through the roof and into the living room, causing structural and interior damage and requiring temporary housing.
Illustrative example. Real outcomes depend on the facts and your policy terms.
Common coverage gaps, and how to close them
Inadequate liability limits
Minimum $300K/$600K or $500K/$1M limits are easily exhausted by a tree through a house or a power line strike. Carry at least $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, with $1M to $5M of umbrella above.
No completed operations
Some policies exclude or severely limit completed operations. Confirm products/completed operations coverage with limits matching your general liability.
Equipment underinsured
A chipper bought for $30,000 five years ago may cost $55,000 to replace today. Review schedules annually, insure at replacement cost and include chainsaws, rigging and climbing gear.
No pollution coverage
Standard GL excludes pollution. If you apply herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers, add pollution liability; it is affordable and essential for tree health services.
Subcontractor exposure
Claims from uninsured subcontracted climbers or crane operators can fall back on you. Require certificates and verify limits, additional insured status and workers' comp.
Owner not covered by WC
Sole proprietors sometimes exclude themselves from workers' comp, and many contracts require proof of coverage even for owners. Electing coverage for yourself protects against major injury costs.
What we bring to tree services
Tree industry knowledge
We understand tree work, its equipment and its risks, and the coverage that responds.
Arborist-focused markets
Carriers that specialize in tree service insurance rather than generic contractor policies.
Coordinated programs
GL, workers' comp, auto and equipment packaged so nothing falls between policies.
Market comparison
As a broker, we compare options across multiple carriers for the right protection and price.
Certificate service
Same-day certificates for commercial clients and property managers, with additional insured endorsements handled quickly.
Since 1992
More than three decades protecting Pacific Northwest contractors.
Ready to protect your tree service?
Free quotes, same-day certificates and coverage for every kind of tree care operation. Prefer email? Reach us at info@firstunderwriters.com.
Coverage descriptions are general summaries for education. They are not legal, tax or coverage advice, a statement of coverage, an offer or a binder. Scenarios and dollar figures are illustrative examples, not representations about any business. Coverage, limits and eligibility are governed by the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies issued and are subject to underwriting.