Coverage Built for Tree Care
A well-structured insurance program for a tree care business isn't just a stack of policies — it's an interlocking set of coverages designed to protect against the risks you actually face.
The Six Core Coverages
What a Complete Tree Care Program Looks Like
Most tree care businesses need some combination of all six. The right mix depends on your operations, crew size, and the types of clients you serve.
General Liability
Third-party bodily injury, property damage, and completed operations — the foundation of every tree care insurance program.
Typical limits: $1M / $2M Learn more →Workers' Compensation
Medical benefits and wage replacement for injured employees, rated under NCCI class code 0106 for tree trimming and pruning operations.
Required in most states Learn more →Commercial Auto
Liability and physical damage for your trucks, chippers, trailers, and other vehicles used in your tree care operations.
Includes hired & non-owned auto Learn more →Inland Marine
Equipment floater coverage for chainsaws, climbing gear, rigging, and specialty tools — on the job site, in transit, and in storage.
Blanket or scheduled options Learn more →Pesticide & Pollution Liability
Contractor's pollution liability for herbicide, pesticide, and fertilizer applications — filling the gap left by the standard GL pollution exclusion.
Covers spray drift & runoff Learn more →Umbrella / Excess Liability
Extra liability limits above your primary policies — often required by municipalities, commercial clients, and property managers.
Common limits: $1M – $5M Learn more →Building Your Program
How the Coverages Work Together
Each coverage fills a specific gap. Here's how we typically build a complete program for a tree care business.
Start with General Liability
GL is the foundation. It protects against the most common and most costly claims — property damage and third-party injury.
Add Workers' Comp
If you have employees, workers' comp isn't optional in most states. It also protects your business from direct lawsuits by injured workers.
Cover Your Fleet
Commercial auto covers vehicles your GL policy specifically excludes. Make sure chippers, trailers, and specialty rigs are properly scheduled.
Protect Your Equipment
An inland marine floater ensures your investment in saws, climbing gear, and rigging is covered wherever the work takes you.
Fill Pollution Gaps
If you apply pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, your standard GL policy almost certainly excludes those claims. A separate pollution policy fills that gap.
Add an Umbrella
Umbrella coverage is usually inexpensive relative to the protection it adds. It often makes the difference when a large claim threatens to exceed your primary limits.
Ready to build your coverage program?
Tell us about your operation and we'll compare options across 16+ specialty carriers to build a program that fits.