In the traditional sense, tree care is not a “seasonal” business any longer. Companies that once wound down operations in the fall and prepared for the spring are now expanding into year-round work, which presents opportunities but also challenges.
Spring is the broker’s busy season, whether finding the right level of tree service coverage for a residential business, evaluating a client for commercial arborist insurance, or simply understanding what risks a client may face. As clients elongate their work seasons, the nature of risk evolves.
This is when brokers should wrap their arms around what each client needs, and prepare for what prospective clients may ask for.
Clients can fall into three main categories of tree care
In 2024, there were more than 165,000 tree care businesses in the United States —more than a five percent increase over the year prior. Many of these companies specialize in residential and commercial tree care, which we’ll get into below, but brokers should pay attention to each case’s unique risk profile.
We’re talking about an industry that’s currently worth around $40 billion USD with forecasted growth to $48 billion USD by 2028, a huge opportunity for brokers if they’re prepared. Not every client is going to fit the generic insurance mold.
Where the client works (in a geographical sense, and the implications of their location), what type of work they do, and external considerations (government complications, prior incidents, etc.) can turn their insurance needs from basic to high-hazard. Brokers should conduct a thorough tree care exposure evaluation to determine if clients are a high-hazard tree care prospect, because the last thing anyone wants is to be underinsured when an incident occurs.
Good news, brokers: There’s an insurance solution that is not only tailored to high-hazard tree care clients, but directly addresses their risk profile in a unique way. And it will help your business and theirs for years to come.
Residential tree care
Residential-focused businesses represent the bulk of smaller companies in this category. The average tree care business in the United States employs a crew of two people or fewer.
This segment, however, is what most customers are familiar with when they hear “tree trimming.” These are the businesses that help with curb appeal, a sharp-looking, green lawn, and help ensure that trees have a long and prosperous life. Their services include tree trimming and pruning, maintenance, replacement, and stump removal.
Commercial tree care
Commercial arborists play a critical role for their clients. They’re responsible for tree care, much like a residential business would, but they also offer service that include landscape management and planning, and are tasked with being up-to-date and compliant with local regulations and safety standards (like OSHA).
Utility line clearance/high-hazard care
This is where it gets complicated—but with attention to detail and a strong partner on the insurance side, you can take advantage. This is the work that brokers must be on the lookout for. It’s a lucrative business for clients and also for the broker if they can position themselves as a knowledgeable and capable partner, which makes TreePro by NIP Group a valuable asset.
High-hazard tree care is wide-ranging and while a site assessment and prior research can mitigate some risks, workers must be prepared for the unexpected. For that reason, their insurance coverage should be up to the task, as well. Dead or dying trees, storm damage, leaning or broken roots, utility line interference…these are a few immediate “high hazard” placements.
Why TreePro is a trusted partner for high risk tree service insurance
The right insurance for high-hazard tree care clients is about so much more than the work. These jobs require specialized equipment and skills like crane assists, complex rigging, aerial lifts and climbing. Not only does the work present risk to the workers, but also to people and property in the area.
TreePro by NIP Group is the industry leader in high-hazard tree care. Our dedicated team is staffed with experts in arboriculture, who understand the regulatory and insurance considerations of work that routinely puts workers in harm’s way. For more than 35 years, tree care business owners have trusted TreePro to deliver coverage that’s specialized, well-researched, and flexible to meet their needs.
To learn more about TreePro and high-hazard tree care insurance placements, fill out the form and a member of our team will contact you.
