Tree Surgeons Insurance
Protect your tree surgery business from property damage claims, chainsaw injuries and equipment theft with specialist arboricultural cover.
Get in touchWhat is tree surgeons insurance?
Tree surgeons insurance is a specialist policy designed for arborists and tree care professionals who carry out tree felling, pruning, stump grinding and other arboricultural work. It typically includes public liability, employers liability and equipment cover.
Tree work is classified as high risk due to chainsaws, working at height, falling timber and proximity to buildings and power lines. A single falling branch can cause thousands of pounds of property damage.
Find cover options from specialist insurers who specialise in covering tree surgeons, so your policy accounts for the specific hazards of arboricultural work.
Public Liability
Covers claims for property damage or injury caused by your tree work.
Employers Liability
Required by law if you employ anyone, covering injury and illness claims.
Tools and Equipment
Covers your chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders and climbing equipment.
Commercial Vehicle
Covers your trucks and any vehicle-mounted chippers or cranes.
Who needs tree surgeons insurance?
Arborists
Providing expert tree care, pruning and health assessments
Tree felling contractors
Carrying out tree removal and sectional felling
Stump grinding specialists
Removing tree stumps using grinding equipment
Hedge trimming services
Maintaining hedges for domestic and commercial clients
Emergency tree services
Responding to storm damage and dangerous tree situations
Licensing and accreditation for tree surgeons
Tree surgeons are not legally required to hold insurance, but virtually all clients expect proof of public liability cover. Domestic clients often ask for evidence before allowing you to work on their property; commercial contracts and local authorities typically demand a minimum of £5m to £10m.
The Arboricultural Association (AA) and the National Register of Contractors (NRC) set professional standards and accreditation. Professional membership demonstrates competence and compliance with Health and Safety at Work regulations. Many insurance providers offer preferential rates for AA-registered contractors.
If you use climbing equipment, chainsaws or access equipment such as cherry pickers, you must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and relevant regulations. Insurance does not replace your duty to maintain equipment, conduct risk assessments and ensure safe working practices.
Tree work on protected species or in conservation areas may require planning consent or an arboricultural impact assessment. Environmental liability cover is sometimes requested for work in sensitive habitats. Public liability is essential for protection against third-party claims from falling branches or damage to property.
How much does tree surgeons insurance cost?
£300 – £700 per year for most sole traders working on domestic properties; arboricultural teams with access equipment and larger contracts may pay £700 – £1,800 annually
Real claims: what tree surgeons insurance covers
A tree surgeon fails to secure a falling branch properly, and it strikes a neighbouring property, damaging the conservatory roof and guttering.
The policy covered the cost of conservatory roof repairs and new guttering installation. Public liability settled the claim at £4,300.
£4,300
A tree surgeon is using a chainsaw at height and drops the saw from the tree, which lands on a pedestrian passing below, causing a deep laceration requiring emergency surgery.
The policy covered the pedestrian's emergency treatment, surgical follow-up and a settlement for pain and suffering. The claim was settled at £5,800.
£5,800
A tree surgeon's work causes structural damage to a client's garden wall when an uprooted tree falls onto it. The wall requires professional rebuilding.
The policy covered the cost of wall reconstruction and professional surveying. Public liability settled the claim at £2,900.
£2,900
WHY CECIL
Built differently.
Specialist cover for high-risk work
Tree surgery is rated as high risk by insurers. Cecil works with specialist markets that cover arboricultural work without excessive loadings.
Equipment covered properly
Chainsaws, chippers and climbing equipment represent a major investment. Cecil ensures your gear is covered at replacement value.
Property damage risks managed
Falling branches can damage buildings, vehicles and fences. Cecil makes sure your public liability covers the full range of tree-related property damage.
Qualifications recognised
Insurers value NPTC and City and Guilds qualifications. Cecil works with insurers who reward your training with better terms and lower premiums.
Common questions about tree surgeons insurance
Do tree surgeons need public liability insurance?
Public liability is essential for tree surgeons due to the high risk of property damage and personal injury. Most clients require it.
What level of public liability do tree surgeons need?
Most tree surgeons carry between £2m and £5m. Local authority contracts may require £5m or £10m.
Does tree surgeons insurance cover damage to client property?
Yes, public liability covers accidental damage from falling branches, felled trees landing on structures, and root damage from stump grinding.
Do I need insurance for stump grinding?
Yes, stump grinding carries risks including damage to underground services and flying debris. Your policy should specifically cover stump grinding.
What qualifications affect tree surgeons insurance?
NPTC certificates, City and Guilds qualifications or Arboricultural Association membership can help lower your premiums.
What level of public liability do tree surgeons typically carry?
Most tree surgeons carry between £5m and £10m of public liability cover. Domestic work may be done with £5m, but commercial contracts with local authorities or large estates often demand £6m to £10m or more.
Does tree surgery insurance cover damage to a client's property if a tree falls naturally?
Damage caused by a naturally falling tree that you did not fell or damage is generally not covered by your public liability, as you are not liable. However, if you contributed to the tree's instability through improper work, the policy may cover the claim.
Do tree surgeons need insurance if they only prune small branches from ground level?
Yes. Even if you only carry out ground-level work, public liability is essential as there is always risk of accidental damage to property or injury. Commercial clients will always request evidence of cover.
Is professional indemnity insurance needed for tree surgeons?
Professional indemnity is not mandatory but is recommended if you provide specialist advice about tree health, structural risk or conservation value. This covers costs if your advice is wrong and the client suffers financial loss.
Are tree surgeons required to be registered or certified?
Tree surgeons are not required by law to be certified, but professional membership with the Arboricultural Association or National Register of Contractors is widely sought and demonstrates competence. Many insurance providers offer better rates for AA members.
Interested in Tree Surgeons insurance?
We will be in contact when Cecil launches.