Logging insurance for fire, equipment and crew risks
Specialized protection for timber harvesting operations across Washington and Oregon, from small family crews to large commercial outfits. We work with specialty carriers that write logging and understand feller bunchers, skidders, yarders and log trucks.
Timber specialists · 50+ carrier access · Experience-mod management
Coverage that can be hard to find
Logging is one of the most hazardous industries in America, and proper coverage can be hard to place. Many standard carriers won't write logging, and some that do don't understand the exposures of timber harvesting.
We've insured Pacific Northwest loggers for more than three decades, working with specialty carriers that know the equipment and the work, whether you run a small family crew or a large commercial operation. For more on industry hazards, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics and OSHA logging safety standards.
Real risks for logging operations
Illustrative examples of how a single timber-harvesting exposure escalates when coverage is missing or a standard carrier won't respond, and what closes the gap.
A spark from operations starts a wildfire
Equipment operating in dry conditions threw a spark that ignited a wildfire, which spread beyond the harvest unit to adjacent stands before crews and agencies contained it. An operation that starts a fire can be held liable for suppression costs charged by the U.S. Forest Service or state agencies, damage to adjacent timber and environmental remediation. Most landowners require proof of this coverage first.
- Fire-suppression costs (agencies)$1,600,000
- Adjacent timber and property damage$1,500,000
- Environmental remediation$450,000
- Legal defense$250,000
Illustrative example. Real outcomes depend on the facts and your policy terms.
Build the right program for your operation
Every logging operation starts with general liability, logging equipment and workers' compensation. Tell us how you run and we'll add what typically applies. No contact details needed.
Your operation
Select everything that applies.
Coverage that typically applies
8 coverages — a starting point for a conversation, not a quote.
- General LiabilityThird-party injury, property and forest-fire liability.
- Logging EquipmentFeller bunchers, skidders, yarders and loaders.
- Workers' CompensationHigh-risk crew injuries and mod management.
- Commercial AutoLog trucks, crew and service vehicles.
- Motor Truck CargoLogs in transit on your trucks.
- Forest-Fire Fighting ExpenseCosts to fight fires that start on the job.
- Inland MarineTools, rigging and cable at remote sites.
- Umbrella LiabilityExcess limits for catastrophic claims.
From loss runs to certificate
Understand your operation
Logging types and location, equipment schedule and values, payroll by classification and current loss runs, so the program matches your fire, equipment and crew exposures.
Go to timber markets
We approach specialty carriers that write logging, including options for higher experience mods and fair pricing for strong safety records.
Build and value the program
General liability with forest-fire liability, equipment and workers' comp at the core, with auto, cargo, pollution and umbrella added. Equipment is set at agreed values, with loss-payee endorsements for financed machines.
Safety, mod and claims
Safety and return-to-work programs that lower your experience mod over time, certificates for landowners and lenders, and claims support from first notice.
Every coverage a timber operation may need
Filter by type or search for a specific coverage.
General Liability
Third-party bodily injury and property damage, including forest-fire liability, falling-tree damage and operations on landowner property.
Umbrella Liability
Additional limits above your primary policies for forest-fire liability or catastrophic claims.
Professional Liability
Errors and omissions for forestry consultants and timber cruisers whose assessments and advice carry professional risk.
Logging Equipment
Feller bunchers, skidders, loaders, processors, yarders and other specialized machinery, including breakdown and transportation coverage.
Inland Marine
Tools, rigging, cables and equipment in transit or at remote job sites, against theft, vandalism and weather.
Business Income
Replaces lost income when covered equipment is damaged and operations halt.
Commercial Auto
Log trucks, crew vehicles, service trucks and lowboys, including hired and non-owned auto for rented and employee vehicles.
Motor Truck Cargo
Logs and forest products in transit on your trucks, an exposure standard auto liability doesn't address.
Stumpage Coverage
The value of standing or cut timber in your care before it is harvested and processed.
Workers' Compensation
Coverage for logging's high-risk workforce, with experience-mod management and carriers that write difficult logging classifications.
Forest-Fire Fighting Expense
Costs incurred fighting fires that start during your operations, a critical exposure in Pacific Northwest timber.
Pollution Liability
Fuel spills, hydraulic-fluid leaks and environmental damage at the job site and in transit.
Timber operations we cover
From ground-based and cable logging to trucking, road building, reforestation and mechanized harvesting.
Ground-based logging
Conventional ground-based timber harvesting.
Cable / yarder operations
Tower and swing yarders on steep ground.
Timber falling
Manual and mechanized falling crews.
Log trucking
Highway and off-road log haul.
Helicopter logging
Aerial yarding in remote terrain.
Road building
Forest-road construction and grading.
Reforestation
Replanting and site-prep operations.
Land clearing
Clearing, right-of-way and site work.
Mechanized harvesting
Feller bunchers, processors and loaders.
Chipping and grinding
Chippers, grinders and biomass.
Firewood and post/pole
Firewood, posts, poles and specialty wood.
Forestry consulting
Timber cruising and forestry consulting.
Brokers who understand timber risk
Timber experience since 1992
We understand high experience mods, expensive equipment, forest-fire liability and the small number of carriers willing to write logging.
Specialty timber markets
Access to carriers that specialize in timber-industry risks and price them in line with your safety record.
Mod reduction and claims support
Safety programs and return-to-work strategies that lower your experience mod over time, and hands-on help when a claim occurs.
Common questions about coverage and cost
Why is logging insurance so expensive?
What if I have a high experience modification rate (EMR)?
Do I need forest fire liability coverage in my logging insurance?
Can I insure equipment I'm still paying off?
What do I need to get a logging insurance quote?
Get your logging insurance quote
A full review to identify coverage gaps, equipment-valuation shortfalls and forest-fire liability needs. Or email 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, and the coverage builder is a starting point for discussion rather than a quote or coverage determination. Scenarios and dollar figures are illustrative examples, not representations about any operation; forest-fire liability, pollution and equipment terms carry their own limits, sublimits and exclusions. Coverage, limits and eligibility are governed by the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies issued and are subject to underwriting.