Tree surgery is one of those trades where “a normal day at work” can involve chainsaws, chippers, working at height, falling timber, traffic management, and unpredictable weather. That mix makes tree surgeons a higher-risk part of the wider construction and contracting world — and it’s exactly why the right insurance matters.
If you’re a self-employed arborist, a small tree surgery firm, or a growing contractor taking on larger commercial work, this guide explains the key covers, why insurers treat the trade as high-risk, and how to build a practical insurance package that protects your people, your kit, and your contracts.
Tree surgery combines several risk categories that insurers price carefully:
Work at height: climbing, MEWPs, ladders, rope access, rescue plans.
Powered cutting equipment: chainsaws, pole saws, stump grinders.
Falling objects and uncontrolled movement: limbs, whole trees, rigging failures.
Third-party exposure: public footpaths, roads, neighbouring properties, parked vehicles.
Manual handling: heavy timber, awkward loads, repetitive strain.
Environmental factors: wind, rain, unstable ground, hidden decay in trees.
Because claims can be severe (property damage, serious injury, long legal disputes), insurers will often ask more questions than they would for lower-risk trades. The upside: if you can demonstrate strong risk management, you can usually access better terms.
Tree surgeon insurance is rarely a single policy. It’s typically a package built around public liability, employers’ liability, and protection for tools, plant, and vehicles.
Public liability covers your legal liability if your work causes injury to a third party or damage to third-party property.
For tree surgeons, common claim scenarios include:
A falling limb damages a roof, conservatory, fence, or greenhouse
A chipper throws debris and cracks a window or damages a parked car
A member of the public trips over cones, signage, or equipment
Timber falls into a neighbour’s garden and damages landscaping
How much cover do tree surgeons need?
Many domestic jobs can be done with £2m–£5m public liability, but commercial clients, councils, and main contractors often require £5m or £10m. If you’re working near roads, public spaces, schools, or large commercial sites, higher limits are common.
If you employ staff — including part-time workers, apprentices, or labour-only subcontractors under your control — employers’ liability (EL) is typically a legal requirement in the UK.
Tree surgery has a higher likelihood of injury claims due to:
Chainsaw accidents
Falls from height
Crush injuries from timber
Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
Noise-induced hearing loss
Standard EL limits are often £10m. Even if you think you’re “just using subcontractors,” it’s worth checking your working arrangements, because the wrong setup can leave you exposed.
Tree surgery is equipment-heavy. Losing a chainsaw, having a chipper stolen, or damaging climbing gear can stop work immediately.
A good tools/equipment policy can cover:
Theft (often from locked vehicles or secure storage)
Accidental damage (drops, impact, water damage)
Fire
Vandalism
Typical items to include:
Chainsaws, pole saws, hedge cutters
Climbing kits: ropes, harnesses, karabiners, ascenders
Chippers and stump grinders
Rigging gear and lowering devices
Hand tools, blowers, PPE (where insurable)
Key detail: insurers may apply different rules for:
In-vehicle theft (often requires forced entry + overnight security conditions)
Unattended vehicles (time limits, visible items exclusions)
Trailers (hitch locks, wheel clamps, tracking)
If you’ve ever had a van broken into, you’ll know why getting these conditions right matters.
If you own or hire larger kit, you may need contractors’ plant cover. This can insure:
Owned plant (your chipper, stump grinder)
Hired-in plant (if your hire agreement makes you responsible)
Plant left on-site
It can also include hired-in plant liability, which protects you if you damage hired equipment and the hire company charges you.
Tree surgery often sits inside the construction insurance world, especially when you’re working as a subcontractor on a wider project (site clearance, enabling works, highways, rail, utilities, or large estates).
Contract works (often part of a CAR policy) can cover:
Damage to works in progress
Materials on site
Sometimes temporary works
Tree surgeons may need this when their scope includes:
Site clearance as part of a build
Work on commercial developments
Large-scale landscaping and groundworks packages
Most tree surgeons don’t automatically buy PI, but it can be relevant if you provide advice or reports, such as:
Tree condition surveys
Risk assessments for landowners
Recommendations for felling/pruning
Consultancy for planning applications
If your advice is alleged to be negligent and causes financial loss (for example, a client relies on your report and later faces costs), PI can help.
A standard “social, domestic and pleasure” policy won’t cover trade use properly.
Tree surgeons often need:
Commercial vehicle insurance for vans/pickups
Tippers and specialist bodies declared correctly
Trailer cover (including chipper trailers)
Goods in transit (if you carry tools/kit, though tools cover may be separate)
If you operate multiple vehicles, a fleet policy can simplify admin and sometimes reduce cost.
If you’re self-employed, an injury can stop your income overnight.
Personal accident cover can provide:
Weekly benefit if you can’t work
Lump sums for serious injuries
Optional cover for fractures, hospital stays, rehabilitation
For a high-risk trade, this can be one of the most practical covers you buy.
Tree surgeons often straddle two worlds:
Domestic and commercial property maintenance (homeowners, landlords, estates)
Construction and contracting (site clearance, enabling works, main contractor supply chain)
When you’re in the construction supply chain, you’ll often see stricter insurance requirements:
Higher public liability limits (often £5m–£10m)
Proof of employers’ liability and training
Contractual liability clauses
Method statements and RAMS
Evidence of plant inspection and LOLER compliance
This is where a “generic tradesman policy” can fall short. You need cover that matches the reality of high-risk work at height with powered cutting equipment.
Not all tree surgeon insurance is equal. Here are common issues that can cause problems at claim time.
Some policies restrict work above a certain height (for example, 10m or 15m). If you climb higher trees or use MEWPs, make sure your policy reflects that.
Less common in tree surgery, but if you do any hot works (grinding, cutting metal, repairs), declare it.
Working near high-risk environments may require specific underwriting approval.
Insurers may differentiate between light pruning and full felling/dismantling. Be clear about your scope.
If you use subcontract climbers or ground staff, confirm whether they’re treated as employees for EL purposes.
Many theft claims fail because security conditions weren’t met (no forced entry, vehicle left unlocked, tools visible, overnight rules breached).
When you apply for tree surgeon insurance, expect questions like:
What percentage of your work is felling vs pruning?
Do you use climbing, MEWPs, or both?
What’s the maximum height you work at?
Do you work near roads, public areas, or rail?
What qualifications do you hold (e.g., chainsaw and climbing tickets)?
Do you have RAMS, rescue plans, and training records?
How do you secure tools and plant overnight?
Any previous claims or incidents?
To improve terms, be ready to show:
Documented risk assessments and method statements
PPE policies and enforcement
Equipment maintenance schedules
LOLER inspections for lifting/climbing equipment
Vehicle and yard security (alarms, CCTV, tracking, locks)
A typical package might include:
Public liability: £2m–£5m
Tools cover: sized to your kit value
Personal accident: weekly benefit
Van insurance: declared for business use
A more robust package may include:
Public liability: £5m–£10m
Employers’ liability: £10m
Contractors’ plant: chipper/stump grinder + hired-in plant
Tools cover: including in-vehicle theft conditions
Professional indemnity: if you provide reports
Often requires:
Public liability: £10m
Employers’ liability: £10m
Contract works/CAR: if contractually required
Higher scrutiny on RAMS, training, and site controls
Insurance is the safety net — but the best outcome is avoiding incidents in the first place.
Pre-job checks: tree condition, decay, lean, wind exposure, drop zones
Traffic and pedestrian management: signage, cones, banksman
Clear communication: toolbox talks, hand signals, radio comms
Rigging discipline: rated equipment, correct anchor points, controlled lowering
Maintenance: sharp chains, serviced chippers, inspected ropes/harnesses
Security: lockboxes, deadlocks, trackers, secure compounds
These steps don’t just keep people safe — they also make you more insurable.
When you request tree surgeon insurance, be specific. A vague description like “gardening” or “landscaping” can lead to the wrong cover.
Use clear trade descriptions such as:
Tree surgery / arboriculture
Tree felling and dismantling
Stump grinding
Use of chainsaws and chippers
Working at height (climbing/MEWP)
And be ready with:
Turnover and wage roll
Claims history
Equipment values (owned and hired)
Vehicle details
Typical contract types (domestic vs commercial vs construction)
Tree surgery is skilled, specialist, and high-risk — and your insurance should reflect that reality. The right package protects you against the big liabilities (injury and property damage), the day-to-day operational risks (theft and damaged kit), and the contractual requirements that come with construction and commercial work.
If you want, tell me:
Are you mainly domestic, commercial, or construction site work?
Do you do full felling/dismantling, or mostly pruning?
Rough value of your tools/plant and how you store them overnight?
…and I’ll tailor a recommended cover checklist and a “quote-ready” description you can copy into proposal forms.
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