You should only hire a tree service that has insurance – that’s step number one. Since you’re here, I’m guessing you already know that – good job! But you might be wondering, well, what type of insurance, exactly? That’s a great question. The short answer is, your tree care company should have both general liability and worker’s compensation insurance.
I. General Liability
You should only hire a tree service that has insurance – that’s step number one. Since you’re here, I’m guessing you already know that – good job! But you might be wondering, well, what type of insurance, exactly? That’s a great question. The short answer is, your tree care company should have both general liability and worker’s compensation insurance.
Because of their size, trees have the potential to cause substantial damage to your property. This is especially true if they are in close proximity to your home – ask anyone that’s had a tree fall on their roof during a storm. And while hiring a tree service should be far less hazardous than weathering a storm, there is always a risk when it comes to removing branches or cabling foliage. That’s why it’s critical that your tree service have general liability insurance.
Let’s say your tree service caused a tree to land on your home. Without insurance, they may not be able to pay, and you may have to sue for compensation. Compare that to the tree service with general liability insurance: their policy will cover the damage, no legal action necessary. As you can see, failing to hire a tree service with general liability coverage could yield costly and time-consuming consequences.
III. Worker’s Compensation
Tree care often requires arborists to work high in the branches – up to 120 feet, for some types of trees. The industry also involves use of heavy machinery, such as chainsaws. So it should come as no surprise that the tree care industry is one of the most dangerous lines of work. In 2017, there were a reported 53 fatal and 1,040 non-fatal injuries among 100,000 tree care professionals in the United States. Such a risk level thus makes worker’s compensation insurance an absolute must for tree services everywhere.
And a tree care company without worker’s comp insurance isn’t only doing a disservice to their employees; they’re also putting the customer at financial risk. Tree care companies are responsible to compensate employees that are injured on the job. But, if they cannot pay, the burden of compensation falls on the customer. So, it’s in your best interest for the tree care company to have ample worker’s compensation insurance.
III. How Much Should a Tree Care Company Be Insured?
In Missouri, tree services should be covered up to $1 million by their insurance policies. This might seem like overkill, but medical expenses and property damages add up fast – protect yourself and don’t settle for less.
If you’re a tree service looking to get insured, we recommend getting quotes from at least three different companies before committing, to make sure you’re getting a competitive price for the same coverage.
IV. The Takeaway: Protecting Yourself & Your Property
Nobody wants an accident to occur while they’re getting tree work done. But if an accident does happen, you’ll want assurance that whatever property damage or personal injury costs won’t fall on you (pun very much intended). That’s why your tree service should have these two kinds of insurance, and why it’s in your best interest to do a bit of legwork to find out.
We always recommend that you request a copy of the tree company’s proof of insurance prior to signing a contract. It’s best to ask specifically for a certificate of insurance with the company’s name on it; that way, you can verify that the policy is currently valid and coming directly from the insurance company. Fake insurance statements are on the rise, so this step is crucial.
In a recent case, a St. Louis homeowner hired an uninsured tree service who resorted to tying a tree to his car when it became clear that the tree would otherwise fall on the home. He then started calling legitimate arborists, like yours truly, to come finish the job. It sounds crazy, but stories like this are all too common when it comes to uninsured tree care “professionals.”
Of course, insurance isn’t the only thing you should look for when hiring a tree service. A trustworthy tree care company will have plenty of good reviews on the Better Business Bureau and Google, and they’ll never ask for payment up front or begin work without providing a cost estimate. For more information on what to look for, check out our post on signs of a reliable tree service.
But for now, I hope we’ve answered your questions about the types and amounts of insurance your tree service should have. Tree care is a dangerous job, and it’s always best to think twice before deciding on a company to handle your needs.