Though trees sustain human life, without proper care and management, they can pose a serious threat to people. The tree service industry helps protect people from falling trees and branches, and from trees near power lines that can cause a fire risk. Arborists and other tree care professionals have some of the most dangerous jobs, so while they’re protecting the public, they depend on the right insurance to protect them. Unfortunately, most tree service insurance policies only cover some of the many risks tree care professionals face.
TreePro is one of the most robust specialty insurance policies, focusing specifically on the risks associated with the work of arborists and tree trimmers. Unique challenges demand unique coverages, which is why TreePro is an industry leader that consistently reevaluates arborists’ needs and adds the most relevant coverage options and endorsements.
Unique Challenges in Tree Operations
After healthy annual growth propelled the tree service industry to almost $35 billion per year, the market remains strong with plenty of room to grow. Despite this golden opportunity, the tree operations industry still contends with its own set of obstacles, from worker shortages and an inherently risky occupation to missing or inadequate insurance coverages.
More threats to trees and a shortage of qualified arborists
Today, more deadly diseases threaten trees, due in large part to global trade. With tree-killing diseases on the rise, arborists, known colloquially as “tree surgeons,” are in high demand. Unfortunately, despite an obvious need, there’s a serious shortage of arborists. Untrained arborists and tree care workers may be more likely to injure themselves or increase the risk of injury to those around them. Some of the most common tree care injuries include awkward movements, slips and falls, and being struck by objects like falling trees or branches, and contact with electricity. From the perspective of a tree service company, an inexperienced arborist is a higher risk, and can increase a tree care company’s liability exposure.
Ensuring safety
Tree service professionals risk their lives daily, so there’s nothing more important than ensuring worker safety. Arborists and other tree pros work high in the trees, stand below them as limbs fall, and often find themselves working in other hazardous conditions. In fact, with weather getting more extreme, the number and severity of incidents in the tree trimming industry are only increasing.
Following industry safety standards set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is merely a starting point for maintaining safe working conditions in the tree service industry. Tree maintenance and tree removal companies should also have their own internal safety protocols and should do everything possible to minimize the risk of injury or error. Ensuring worker safety has been, and will remain, a top priority within the tree service and landscaping industries. Nevertheless, mistakes and accidents can occur, making it more important than ever to have robust tree service insurance.
Why Tree Service Pros Need Specialized Coverage
Most people agree business insurance is a must, but companies that provide tree care services require specialized coverages to protect them from the many unique risks they can encounter. Traditional insurance policies for tree care pros might be limited to crane coverages, even though boom and bucket trucks are some of the most popular and versatile pieces of equipment used by forestry and landscaping professionals. In cold weather areas, many tree service companies pivot to snow and ice removal. These operations can be every bit as risky as tending to trees in the warmer months but are often excluded from the policy’s coverages under standard tree trimming insurance.
Tree service professionals and the brokers who help insure them can benefit from accessing specialized tree care risk management policies to cover these risks, including:
Coverage for pesticide and herbicide application
Applying pesticides and herbicides is a routine part of an arborist’s or landscaper’s job. Aside from the risks these chemicals pose to the applicators themselves, companies that spray pesticides and herbicides must consider environmental risks and risks to human, animal, and plant health. For example, if a landscaper inadvertently sprays plants with a concentrated pesticide and kills them, a standard tree care policy may not cover the replacement cost of those plants.
Jobsite pollution coverage
Arborists rely on equipment and machinery powered by diesel, gas, and hydraulic fluid, all of which can cause damage to property and the environment. Though spills may be rare, tree service professionals need jobsite pollution coverage to protect them from liabilities related to spills and the costs of cleanup. Since tree service professionals can work near gas lines and other dangerous chemicals, jobsite pollution is a coverage that’s too often overlooked by average arborist insurance policies.
Arborist errors and omissions
Arborists are skilled professionals, but, like all people, can make mistakes. Given the shortage of arborists, newer arborists or arborists overburdened with work are more prone to errors. Arborist errors and omissions can provide coverage for damage to property caused by workers’ mistakes. A common case where errors and omissions coverage can come into play is if a tree trimming crew accidentally removes the wrong trees or too many trees.
Wildfire liability
Wildfires have become a serious problem across the U.S., particularly in California and Texas. Though wildfires can occur naturally, the vast majority are caused by humans. In some cases, tree trimming companies working around power lines can be held responsible for a wildfire traced back to the utility line. To protect themselves and to satisfy the utility company’s requirements, wildfire liability coverage should be an essential piece of an arborist insurance policy.
Snow and ice removal
For tree service businesses that plow snow or remove ice, the risks of operating in winter weather create new and additional liabilities. According to Occupational Health & Safety, there are over 20,000 occupational injuries connected to winter conditions like snow and ice. On top of that, snow and ice removal operations, though profitable, can cause property damage. Conversely, snow and ice damage can also affect business property, creating an additional risk for tree service businesses.
The Advantages of Specialized Coverages for Tree Care Professionals
Whether you’re a broker serving arborists or the owner of a tree service business, you know how important it is to have access to the best insurance policies. As a complex business with significant risk exposure, the tree care industry regularly goes where others won’t, helping protect our infrastructure from the dangers of falling trees.
TreePro brings over 35 years of experience, industry-leading expertise, and superior customer service, not to mention some of the most comprehensive coverages and competitive rates. General liability and workers’ compensation are the bare basics of commercial insurance coverage and can leave tree care businesses exposed to dozens of non-covered perils. If you’re a broker, your clients and prospects in the tree care business shouldn’t settle for anything less than the robust specialty coverage NIP Group provides and the TreePro program dedicated specifically to arborists and tree care professionals.
