Tree Service Insurance – Everything Needed for 2022

Tree care companies’ operations continue to be extremely risky.  It is hard work for Florida Tree Trimmers in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and surrounding areas to protect their business assets, employees, and reputation. In part, tree care companies can help protect themselves through a combination of purchasing the correct insurance products and implementing best practices. 

Tree care companies face unique challenges when it comes to safety in the workplace. While Tree Trimmers purchase insurance for financial certainty, it is ideal to implement best practices to ensure employees are safe and productivity is maximized.

What are Some Notable Risks Facing Tree Trimmers?

• Employee Injury: Tree Trimmers need to protect themselves for the costs associated with employee injury due to work from heights, operation of machinery and equipment, or work from risky sites.  It is important to train employees on best practices with regards to workplace safety.
• Auto Liability: Vehicles can be an area of risk due to regular travel to and from jobsites as well as transportation of cuttings, plants and large trees.  Drivers must be properly trained and have valid licenses.
• Crime: Theft of Tree Trimmers tools and equipment are an area of concern due to the high value of equipment maintained.  Employee dishonesty could be a concern.  Proper background checks should be done on all employees prior to hiring.

Which Insurance Should a Tree Service Have?

• Workers Compensation: benefits provided by an employer to an employee (or the employee’s family) due to a job-related injury (including death) resulting from an accident or occupational disease.
• General Liability: protects businesses against liability claims for bodily injury and property damage as well as advertising and personal injury liability.
• Commercial Auto:  includes auto liability and auto physical damage coverages, plus other coverages are available by endorsement.
• Inland Marine / Equipment Floater: insurance for tools and equipment in transit without regard to location of the covered property
• Property: policy for businesses and other organizations that insures against damage to their buildings and contents due to a covered cause of loss, such as a fire. The policy may also cover loss of income or increase in expenses that results from the property damage.
• Employment Practices Liability:  insurance covering wrongful acts arising from the employment process. The most frequent types of claims covered under such policies include: wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation.
• Professional Liability: coverage designed to protect against liability incurred as a result of errors and omissions in performing professional services. Most professional liability policies only cover economic or financial losses suffered by third parties, as opposed to bodily injury and property damage claims.
• Cyber Liability: cover a business’ liability for a data breach in which the firm’s customers’ personal information, such as Social Security or credit card numbers, is exposed or stolen by a hacker who has gained access to the firm’s electronic network. The policies cover a variety of expenses associated with data breaches.

How much is Tree Service insurance?

Insurance premiums for Tree Care companies will vary based upon several factors.  Each policy is rated on different exposures which may include payroll, revenue, property value, location, driving record, claims history, among others.

For a quote, contact us at 561.571.1001, quotes@biscaynerisk.com, or via the contact form below.

What are Tree Care Industry safety best practices?

There are a variety of hazards in tree care that can cause serious or fatal injuries. Some of the most common causes are electrocution, falls, and falling objects, however, many of the injuries and fatalities are preventable. Employers are responsible for the safety of all tree-care employees. Providing free protective equipment and proper training are part of that responsibility. Additionally, employees should feel comfortable in expressing their concerns about job safety.  Before beginning any tree-care operation, workers should adhere to the following best practices:

• Assess the worksite for fall and falling object hazards.
• Make sure a qualified arborist surveys the worksite to identify the types of trees involved, as well as any possible hazards that are specific to each type.
• Determine if rigging is necessary to prevent sections of the tree from falling while working on it.
• Determine if you will need to climb a ladder or use aerial lifts to service the tree. Make sure climbing equipment is well-maintained and in working condition. Both ladders and aerial lifts should be kept at least 10 feet away from power lines and other electrical equipment.
• Establish and mark drop zones with safety equipment where there is a hazard of falling objects.
• Ensure that you’re aware of procedures for safely entering the drop zone.
• If you’re a ground worker, maintain a safe distance of at least 10 feet from tree-felling operations.
• When using a rope to fell a tree, maintain a distance of at least two times the height of the tree.
• Establish a visual or audible communication system between overhead workers and ground workers before starting rigging operations.
• Have emergency procedures in place prior to the start of tree care.
• Verify that every worker knows the address of the worksite for emergency services.
• Determine if the worksite has cellular telephone coverage.
• Establish a retreat path for ground workers so they can escape from falling trees

How do I purchase Tree Service Insurance?

Biscayne Risk & Insurance Group can help guide you through the insurance buying process.  Contact us at 561.571.1001, quotes@biscaynerisk.com, or via the contact form below.

Biscayne Risk Group’s VPRM program was developed to help maximize profits for your company while managing business insurance costs, most notably Workers Compensation.  Implementing the right insurance program and establishing best practices in the Tree Trimming workplace is an important factor in keeping workers safe and happy.  Biscayne Risk & Insurance has expertise in placing insurance for Tree Trimmers as well as advising on proper risk management techniques.  Whether your concern is Workers Compensation placement, managing costs, or implementing safety practices, we are here to help.  Contact us to discuss your Tree Trimming business and how we can proactively keep your costs to a minimum.  

Biscayne Risk & Insurance Group is a proud member of the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)