Tree Service Insurance from Massachusetts Specialists

Roger Keith & Sons

What is tree service insurance?

The work that arborists do presents certain inherent risks, as accidents can happen anytime a tree is trimmed or cut down. While tree service insurance won’t prevent an accident from occurring, having insurance can protect Massachusetts arborists from the financial fallout that ensues after an accident.

Tree service insurance is specialized commercial insurance for arborists. Policies usually come with multiple coverages, and arborists can usually adjust the specific coverages in their policies.

What Massachusetts businesses should have arborist insurance?

Most arborists working in Massachusetts ought to have an arborist insurance policy. Not carrying insurance can be devastating, and this tends to be the best insurance option for arborists. 

Some other tree service businesses might also want to consider this type of policy. For example, landscapers and hardscapers may purchase arborist insurance if they offer services such as the following:

• Tree shaping or trimming
• Tree removal
• Stump grinding
• Municipal tree care
• Pest management

What coverages are available through arborist insurance policies?

Arborist insurance policies normally have both property coverages and liability coverages. The former primarily insures assets that a business owns, while the latter primarily insures against situations where a business could be sued. 

Some property coverages that policies frequently offer include:

• Commercial Building Coverage, which might cover an owned office or storage building
• Commercial Contents Coverage, which might cover equipment kept at a facility
• Inland Marine Coverage, which might cover equipment as it’s transported to/from worksites
• Equipment Breakdown Coverage, which might cover essential equipment that malfunctions

Some liability coverage that policies frequently offer are:

• General Liability Coverage, which might cover common accidents that result in harm to a third party (e.g. customer)
• Product Liability Coverage, which might cover injuries and illnesses that applied or sold products cause
• Errors and Omissions Coverage (E&O), which might cover incorrect advice that an arborist or employee gives
• Commercial Umbrella Coverage, which might cover expensive lawsuits with a second layer of liability protection

Arborists also often need commercial auto coverage for their trucks. Auto coverage can protect against vehicle damage and accidents, and it’s readily available through arborist policies.

An insurance agent who’s familiar with arborist policies can help arborists make sure they have the coverages that they should.

Do arborists need workers compensation?

Arborists that work alone may not need workers compensation coverage, but those that have employees are usually required by Massachusetts state law to carry the coverage. Workers compensation normally protects against job-related injuries that employees could sustain, which is certainly a risk when cutting down trees.

Whether workers compensation is included within a tree service policy depends on the policy. Sometimes it’s included within a tree service policy, and other times it’s purchased separately. Workers comp policies are easily purchased if a separate policy is needed.

How much are premiums for workers compensation?

The premiums charged for tree service policies vary. Premiums are based on many different factors, such as:

• Business location
• Region serviced
• Services offered
• Equipment used
• Policy features chosen

An independent insurance agent can help arborists compare quotes from different insurance companies, which is the most accurate way to find out how much insurance will cost in a particular situation.

How can Massachusetts arborists get tree service insurance?

If you need help finding tree service insurance in Massachusetts, contact the independent insurance agents at Roger Keith & Sons. Our agents will work closely with you to determine coverage needs, and then we’ll help you compare several policies that meet those coverages. With our assistance, you can have confidence that whichever tree service policy you select will protect your business well.