Who this page is for
This page is for Virginia arborists, tree-removal companies and vegetation-management contractors. Ford Agency works with smaller owner-operated tree businesses, established tree-service companies and difficult-to-place operations that need a specialized market review.
Typical tree-service operations
- Tree pruning, trimming and removal
- Stump grinding and debris cleanup
- Arborist and plant-health services
- Storm cleanup and debris hauling
- Crane, bucket-truck or right-of-way work when disclosed
Important differences within this trade
Two tree-service contractors can present very different exposures. Helpful distinctions include:
- Maximum climbing and working height
- Tree-felling and removal methods
- Cranes, bucket trucks, chippers and heavy equipment
- Work near structures, roads, utilities or energized power lines
- Logging, land clearing and vegetation-management work
- Pesticide, herbicide or other chemical application
Tree work combines height, falling-object, equipment, employee and vehicle exposures. Underwriters commonly need loss history, equipment schedules, driver information, safety practices and details about utility-line work.
Coverage conversations to have
General liability and property damage
Tree-service operations can cause severe third-party bodily injury or property damage. Falling trees, limbs, equipment and debris may damage buildings, vehicles, utility lines or neighboring property. General liability may respond to certain claims, subject to the issued policy, endorsements and exclusions.
Commercial auto, bucket trucks and trailers
Pickups, dump trucks, chip trucks, bucket trucks and service vehicles generally call for a commercial-auto discussion. Trailers and permanently attached equipment should be disclosed. Driver histories, vehicle weight, operating radius and hauling practices can materially affect the review.
Chippers, cranes, stump grinders and other equipment
Chippers, stump grinders, chainsaws, loaders, cranes and other mobile equipment may need inland marine or contractors-equipment coverage. Review owned, financed, leased, rented and borrowed equipment, along with deductibles, valuation, attachments and transportation.
Employees and workers’ compensation
Climbing, chainsaw use, falling limbs, chippers, lifting, machinery and driving create significant employee exposures. Payroll and duties should be classified accurately. Virginia requirements depend on the facts, and subcontractor employees can affect the statutory count. Use the official Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission guidance for current rules.
Work near power lines
Work near utility lines or energized conductors requires clear disclosure. Some insurers restrict or exclude this exposure, while other markets may require specialized experience, training, contracts and safety controls. Never assume a general tree-service classification includes line-clearance operations.
Chemical application and pollution liability
Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, fuels, hydraulic fluids and spills can create pollution exposures that may not be fully addressed by ordinary general liability insurance. Tell us whether chemicals are stored, transported or applied and whether applicators hold any required licenses.
Commercial umbrella
Tree-service losses can be severe, and commercial customers or municipalities may require limits above the primary policies. An umbrella may add limits over scheduled underlying coverage, but it does not automatically cover every exclusion.
Subcontractors, certificates and written requirements
Keep written agreements and evidence of insurance from climbers, crane operators, haulers and other subcontractors. When a customer asks for additional insured, waiver of subrogation, primary-and-noncontributory wording or special limits, send the written requirement. A certificate is generally evidence of insurance and does not ordinarily amend a policy.
What to send Ford Agency
- A detailed description and percentage of each operation
- Maximum climbing and working height
- Details about work near structures, roads, utilities or power lines
- Annual sales, payroll and employee count
- Employee experience, safety procedures and training information
- Subcontracted cost, services subcontracted and risk-transfer practices
- Vehicle, driver, trailer and hauling information
- Schedules for bucket trucks, chippers, cranes and other equipment
- Current policies, recent loss runs and requested effective date
- Contracts, bid specifications or certificate requirements when available