Tree Surgeon Insurance
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Being a tree surgeon is demanding, but finding tree surgeon insurance shouldn’t be.
The following is an extensive guide on all the ins and outs of finding the tree surgeon business insurance package you need.
What is tree surgeon insurance?
Tree surgeon or surgery insurance, also known as arborist or forestry insurance, is a bespoke type of business insurance that caters to tree surgeons. Like most types of insurance, its primary function is to protect all arboricultural specialists from the risks associated with the trade and liability claims from members of the public.
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Why you need tree surgeon insurance
Tree surgery comes with several dangers. Besides obvious risks such as falling from a tree and sustaining a bodily injury or just operating high-powered machinery, tree surgeons are often on the receiving end of liability claims.
Depending on how far they go, claims can be quite costly. Some companies have closed because they have taken too long to resolve claims – leaving them with hefty legal bills on top of the claim.
As a business owner, you should always seek to take the necessary steps to avoid having to cover hefty and needless expenses. This is why having preventative measures such as safety equipment and forestry insurance is a good idea.
What does tree surgeon insurance cover?
Insurers will always have different takes on what should be part of a standard tree surgeon insurance policy, so bear in mind that some of the following points won’t be a part of every policy.
Professional indemnity insurance
Also known as professional liability insurance, with this type of insurance, you and your company are covered if you make a mistake while rendering your service. This type of insurance is highly recommended as seasoned professionals tend to forget that even they make mistakes.
Employers’ liability insurance
Employers’ liability cover is a legal requirement if your business employs staff. With employers’ liability insurance, your business is protected should an employee file a claim or lawsuit related to events such as a workplace injury.
Public liability insurance
Public liability cover can handle the cost of legal fees or compensation should you be liable for any damage or injury caused by your operations.
Personal accident cover
Personal injury can put you out of work for a substantial time, particularly because many tree surgeons operate alone. If you are injured and thus unable to work, personal accident cover can be very useful in keeping you afloat.
Additional tree surgeon insurance
Tools cover
Tools cover is effectively an extension of public liability insurance. If, for example, your climbing equipment gets damaged while you’re on the job, this additional layer of insurance can cover the cost of repairing or replacing the tool, thus ensuring that you can carry on your tree surgery work as normal.
Plant cover
With plant cover, your business will be protected should there be a loss of or damage to any plant or piece of equipment.
What affects the cost of tree surgeon insurance?
Like most types of business insurance, insurance for tree surgeons can vary greatly in price. Here are some factors that affect the cost of tree surgery insurance:
- Frequency – Because tree surgeons are generally needed on an ad hoc basis, insurers often adjust premiums according to how much work they do. The general rule is that the more work you do, the more often you are putting yourself at risk.
- Equipment – Tree surgeon equipment is costly, but there are tiers in terms of how technologically advanced the equipment is, and some surgeons have more equipment than others. If equipment coverage is part of your policy, then the exact specifications of your tools can impact the cost of your premiums.
Why compare tree surgeon insurance with Utility Saving Expert?
Time is an essential component of running a business; this is why Utility Saving Expert has a team dedicated to giving your business its time back in a simple yet highly effective way.
Our insurance comparison tool was specifically designed to provide professionals with a fast and easy way to compare prices from the UK’s top insurance providers.
If you’re ready to find an insurance policy that suits your business’s needs and budget, use our free comparison service today!
How you pay for your insurance depends on your personal preferences or the options an insurer gives you. Insurers will typically let you pay in monthly installments or a lump sum. Paying a lump sum is usually cheaper and can reduce premiums; however, it may not be the most financially viable option for some.
If you want to find other ways to spread the cost of your premium, you can either consult Utility Saving Expert’s team or talk directly to your insurer.
Due to the high-risk nature of the job, tree surgery insurance claims are almost inevitable. Here are some of the most common claims:
- Property damage – A branch that you are moving may fall into and smash the window of a nearby house. Or, a heavy piece of equipment, such as your chainsaw, could fall and land on a parked car, causing considerable damage.
- Injury to members of the public – A nearby bystander could get hit by a loose chunk of wood that flies out of your chipper and obtain serious injuries. Injuries to members of the public can drive your legal expenses through the roof.
While getting insurance is a good way to remedy these situations, it’s always better to have preventative measures in place prior to starting an arborist job. Showing a potential or current insurer that you have good safety measures may also result in a reduced premium.
The short answer is that insurance for tree surgeons is not a legal requirement in the UK. However, certain industrial bodies, such as Arboricultural Association, require tree surgeon businesses to have, at the very least, public liability insurance or professional indemnity insurance to be members of their organisation.
Additionally, if your tree surgeon business has employees other than yourself, employers liability insurance is a legal requirement. This regulation extends to part-time employees.
Foregoing this insurance is a good way to run yourself out of business. Even if you didn’t cause an incident or property damage, members of the public might go to great lengths to say that you did, for various reasons.
Whether wrong or right, if someone brings a claim against your business and you don’t have public liability insurance, you may have to bear the brunt of legal fees or pay a large settlement fee.
The risk is never worth it; get in touch with Utility Saving Expert today or use our comparison tool to compare quotes and find a policy at a competitive price.
Insurance brokers are consults that manage the procurement and fulfilment of insurance. Depending on the scope of work they specify, insurance brokers can run comprehensive assessments to determine your business’s needs or even handle the entire claims process.
