Tree Surgeon Insurance
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Why Compare Tree Surgeon Insurance With SimplyQuote?
Being a tree surgeon is demanding, but finding tree surgeon insurance shouldn’t be.
That’s why SimplyQuote has designed the 100% free, online comparison tool to streamline the entire process for you.
Access a wide range of suitable insurance quotes from leading UK insurance providers in just a few clicks. Finding better insurance for tree surgeons has never been this simple
What Do You Need To Get A Quote?
Please provide the following info so we can give you a list of quotes:
- Personal info – name, surname, UK address
- Business info – company registration details, VAT details
- Employee info – the number of staff you employ
- Policy info – the level of cover you’re interested in
- Insurance info – claims history
Why Do 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 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.
As a business owner, you should always seek to take the necessary steps to avoid costly expenses.
This is why having preventative measures such as safety equipment and forestry insurance is a good idea.
Who is tree surgeon insurance designed for?
- Tree surgeon
- Forestry contractor
- Groundsman
- Utility arborists
- Stump grinding contractor
To avoid confusion, tree surgeon insurance is also called:
- Forestry insurance
- Arborist insurance
- Tree surgery insurance
What Types Of Tree Surgery Insurance Are Available?
There are no types or levels of this insurance per se, as insurance for tree surgeons is a type of public liability insurance in itself.
What Does Tree Surgeon Insurance Cover?
This is what’s typically covered by tree surgeon insurance:
Professional indemnity insurance
Also known as professional liability 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 can 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 to other persons.
Personal accident cover
A 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.
What Add-Ons Are Available For Tree Surgeon Insurance?
There are several optional extras available for tree surgeons which can be particularly beneficial if you’re self-employed:
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 and equipment cover
With plant cover, your business will be protected should there be a loss of or damage to any plant or piece of equipment.
Variable limits
Policies can be tailored to the specific heights you climb.
Related trade cover
This covers complementary services you may offer such as landscape gardening or stump removal.
Legal expenses cover
As the name suggests, this policy add-on covers legal and litigation costs that may be brought against you/your business including action under the Health and Safety at Work Act, Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act.
Motor insurance
Cover all vans/pickups and trucks used within your business with a motorcar insurance policy.
How Much Does Tree Surgeon Insurance Cost In The UK?
Like most types of business insurance, insurance for tree surgeons can vary greatly. On average, you can expect to pay between £400 to £2,000 per year for this type of insurance.
Insurance premiums are calculated based on several factors such as the nature and frequency of your work, the number of employees you hire and the equipment you use.
What affects the cost of tree surgeon insurance?
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 you do. The general rule is that the more work you do, the more often you are putting yourself at risk.
- Employees: The number of staff you employ impacts premium prices. For instance, a medium-sized tree surgeon business with four employees will pay higher rates than single self-employed businesses.
- 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 cover is part of your comprehensive policy, then the exact specifications of your tools can impact the cost of your premiums.
How Can You Get Cheaper Tree Surgeon Insurance Rates?
Here are a few ways to reduce your insurance premiums:
- Compare quotes from multiple insurance providers with SimplyQuote to find the best deal.
- Opt for annual payments as opposed to monthly instalments.
- Only hire skilled workers to reduce the risk of serious bodily injury and accidents.
- Keep an eye on your workforce as the more employees you have will drive up insurance prices.
- Regularly inspect and service tools, machines and equipment to ensure safety.
- Use safety gear (e.g. goggles, helmets, gloves, etc.) when on the job to prevent injuries.
- Provide additional staff training to prevent hazardous risks, mishaps and damages.
- Keep tools, vehicles and machines secure when not in use (e.g. locked sheds, garages).
How To Compare Tree Surgeon Insurance Quotes With SimplyQuote?
Comparing tree surgeon insurance quotes with SimplyQuote is quick and easy:
- Fill in the online form with details about yourself and where you are based.
- Select optional extras you want to include in your policy.
- Compare quotes effortlessly with SimplyQuote’s 100% free comparison tool.
- Save money and start saving today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tree surgeon insurance is a type of public liability insurance that caters to tree surgeons. Its primary function is to protect all arboricultural specialists from the risks associated with the trade and liability claims from members of the public.
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 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.
No, tree surgeon insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. However, certain industrial bodies, such as the 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, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement if your tree surgeon business has employees other than yourself (including casual/part-time workers).