Tree Service Insurance Cost & Coverage Guide
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Tree Service Insurance
As a tree service professional, you have the equipment and necessary skills to protect people and property from the risk of falling trees. No doubt, it’s a dangerous job. A tree trimmer could fall from a tall tree, or a large tree could land on a dwelling. Either way, it could cost your business many thousands of dollars.
Just as you protect others, tree service insurance can protect you, your workers, and your business.
This guide outlines the essential small business insurance policies tree service businesses buy, what they cost, and how to get the protection your business needs. We’ve got you covered.
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What is Tree Service Insurance?
Tree service insurance, also known as arborist insurance, is a collection of policies that tree service professionals typically buy, designed to help protect your business from the financial fallout of third-party injuries, property damage, and business interruption. Without the right coverage, your business could be directly responsible for paying someone’s medical bills or costly legal expenses. You may also have to pay for equipment repairs or incur unexpected costs due to a business interruption.
Many clients will require you to demonstrate that you have proof of insurance before you can even start a job, making it essential for growing your business.
How Much Does Tree Service Insurance Cost?
Here is a breakdown of median costs¹ for tree service businesses, based on our recent customer data.
Median Costs1
| Insurance Policy | Median Monthly Cost | Median Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| General liability | $117 | $1,404 |
| Workers’ compensation | $132 | $1,584 |
| Inland marine | $27 | $324 |
1Data from Simply Business customers specializing as “tree services” who purchased at least one or a combination of general liability, workers’ compensation policies, and inland marine insurance from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. The median costs shown are for illustrative purposes only; actual premiums vary by state, coverage limits, and individual business risk.
Tree service insurance rates vary, and your final premium is based on several factors including your location, number of employees, the types of services you provide, and your claims history.
What Insurance Does a Tree Service Business Need?
General Liability
General liability (GL) typically covers expenses if your company causes someone other than an employee to be hurt or if your company causes property damage. It’s a foundational business insurance coverage to help handle costs from third-party accidents, property damage, and bodily injury.
Why You Need It:
Large tree removals don’t always go as planned. A general liability policy will help pay medical expenses for injuries if a tree falls on someone who is not an employee. Your policy will also typically pay to repair or replace a building if a tree falls on it or your company damages it in some other way.
Starting at
$145.83
/month*
Workers’ Compensation
If you have employees — even just one apprentice — most states require you to carry workers’ compensation. This policy covers medical bills and lost wages for employees who get injured or become ill on the job.
Why You Need It:
Suppose one of your employees is injured by a chainsaw kickback while working or suffers an eye injury from flying debris. Workers’ compensation coverage will help cover medical expenses and lost wages for you or your employees due to a work-related incident or illness.
Starting at
$38.91
/month*
Inland Marine
Your tools and equipment are vital to your operations. Inland marine insurance, sometimes called “tools and equipment coverage,” allows you to quickly repair or replace your business equipment, reducing downtime and helping you land new work. An inland marine policy also usually covers tools and equipment that you rent or lease – called contractor’s equipment floater.
Why You Need It:
Imagine someone stole tools from a locked trailer at a jobsite, or equipment was damaged on its way to the site. An inland marine policy will generally pay to repair or replace your equipment up to the policy limit.
Starting at
$20.83
/month‡
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the main factors that influence my tree service insurance premium?
The premium is generally based on the overall risk level, so it varies by company. Typical factors include, but are not limited to, the type of services you provide (e.g., tree trimming, stump removal), payroll amount, crew size, and equipment types.
Does the height at which my crew works affect my insurance cost?
Yes. Work at high elevations increases risk. Work involving tall trees or aerial work may result in higher tree trimming insurance costs. Some policies have limits on how high your workers can go and still be covered. For instance, general liability policies often have height exclusions (e.g., nothing above 15 or 30 feet), whereas workers’ compensation rarely excludes by height but will significantly increase the premium based on the “Classification Code.”
Do I need special coverage for heavy equipment like bucket trucks or cranes?
Typically yes. Depending on the type of equipment you have, you may need an inland marine policy, a commercial auto policy, or both. Speak with your broker or agent for help on finding a policy that will fit your needs.
Why is workers’ compensation so expensive for tree removal businesses?
Workers’ compensation rates for tree service providers are typically higher than premiums for office workers because of the high risks in the tree services industry. Your workers are exposed to falls, chainsaw injuries, and heavy equipment use, which typically increase the tree trimming insurance costs.
How can I lower my arborist insurance rates through safety certifications?
TCIA accreditation and OSHA safety programs may qualify your business for extra discounts. Safety training and certifications that follow industry standards demonstrate to insurance companies that your business has a lower-than-expected risk level and may help lower your rates.
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Why Arborists Choose Simply Business
Small business insurance is what we do. Whether it’s covering you for accidents and errors, meeting workers’ compensation requirements, or protecting your shop and your tools and equipment, we can help find the coverage you need for your tree service business.
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*The displayed price for each product is a monthly estimate calculated from the 10th percentile of relevant policies sold by Simply Business (e.g., General Liability data is used for General Liability estimates). This estimate uses data from relevant policy sales between January–June 2025. Final price and payment terms, which may include an initial down payment, are subject to change based on your state, selected insurance provider, and specific business details.
‡ Displayed price is based on the lowest available coverage limit for Equipment and Small Tools policies.