Tree Service Insurance in Massachusetts

Who in Massachusetts is arborist insurance for?

Massachusetts businesses offering any type of tree services may want arborist insurance. It can make sense for tree removal, tree pruning and trimming, stump grinding, and municipal tree care businesses. Similar businesses might find this type of policy suitable, too.

Importantly, this recommendation generally applies regardless of business size. Things can happen to self-employed arborists, local tree service companies, and those offering statewide or regional commercial tree services.

What protections do arborist policies come with?

Arborist policies can provide a wide variety of protections, most of which are either liability coverages or property coverages. Liability ones are normally for situations where an arborist is liable, or responsible, for another’s harm. Property ones generally protect what a tree service business owns.

Some examples of liability coverages that are frequently found in arborist policies include:

• General Liability Coverage: Normally for common accidents that result in the injury of a third party, who could be a customer, bystander, or someone else who’s not an employee.
• Product Liability Coverage: Normally for injuries or illnesses caused by the products that an arborist uses or sells, possibly including many different chemical treatments.
• Errors and Omissions Coverage (E&O): Normally for incorrect advice that an arborist or employee gives to a customer, wherein the customer suffers injury illness, or property damage.
• Commercial Umbrella Coverage: Normally for an extra layer of liability protection, in case there’s a lawsuit exceeds the limits of another liability coverage.

Some of the property coverages that these policies frequently offer are:

• Commercial Building Coverage: Could cover a garage, storage facility, or office that an arborist has.
• Commercial Contents Coverage: Could cover chippers, trimmers, and loppers that an arborist uses. Coverage might also include climbing gear and rigging, helmets and safety gear, hand tools, and other items.
• Inland Marine Coverage: Could cover the chippers, trimmers, loppers, and other equipment and gear as it’s transported between a facility and customer locations.
• Equipment Breakdown Coverage: Could cover major equipment, such as chippers, trimmers, and loppers, in the event of a sudden breakdown.

An insurance agent who specializes in arborist insurance can help with selecting the right liability and property coverages.

Is workers compensation available through arborist policies?

Workers compensation can provide important protections against work-related injuries, which are an obvious risk when cutting trees and grinding stumps. 

Most tree service businesses in Massachusetts that have employees are required to carry workers compensation. Self-employed arborists likely don’t need it.

Businesses that need workers compensation might get the coverage through an arborist insurance policy, or they might get it as a separate workers comp policy. Coverage is generally easy to find, and something that a knowledgeable insurance agent can help with.

How much are the insurance premiums arborists pay?

The cost of arborist insurance can vary significantly. Rates are calculated according to numerous factors, which might include what tree services are offered, what equipment is used, what region is served, and where an arborist’s facility (if any) is located. Past claims, chosen coverages, and chosen limits are a few of the many other factors that can directly impact rates.

To find out how much insurance will be in a specific situation, arborists can work with an independent insurance agent. An independent agent will be able to request quotes from several companies, and then compare protections and prices.

Where can arborists find tree service insurance?

If you’re an arborist in Massachusetts, let us at PIKE Insurance help you find insurance. We’ll work closely with you to determine coverage needs, and then compare different policies that meet your particular coverage needs. Together, we can find the right tree service insurance for your business.