Tree work is hard to insure. I place it.
General liability, workers' comp, equipment and commercial auto for tree trimming, removal and arborist businesses, from one-truck operators to crane crews.
Quick answer A tree service business needs general liability, workers' comp, equipment and commercial auto coverage, set up for its trimming, removal or arborist work, from one-truck operators to crane crews.
- General liability for a tree service covers damage to homes, cars and property from falling trees and limbs.
- Workers' comp for tree crews is among the most expensive classes in California, because climbing and chainsaw work bring serious injury risk.
- Many standard carriers exclude tree work because of large property claims and high injury rates; specialty markets write it, priced on height, crane use and the work done.
- Crane and bucket truck work must be disclosed to the insurer, because it changes the rating and some policies exclude it unless it is listed.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Why carriers turn tree work away
A falling limb can land on a house, a car or a power line, and climbing and chainsaw work bring serious injury risk. Many standard carriers won't write tree work at all, and workers' comp for tree crews is among the most expensive classes in California.
I work with the specialty markets that do write it, and set the coverage up around how you actually work: height, crane use, removal versus trimming, and whether you work near power lines.
- General liabilityDamage to homes, cars and property from falling trees and limbs.
- Workers' compClimbing, chainsaw and chipper injuries.
- EquipmentChippers, stump grinders, saws and lifts.
- Commercial autoBucket trucks, dump trucks and trailers.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Work: trimming, removal, stump grinding or land clearing, with rough percentages.
- Height: the highest you climb and whether you use a crane or bucket truck.
- Utility lines: whether you work near power lines.
- License: CSLB classification, if you have one, and ISA certification.
- Payroll and revenue: employees, subcontractors and gross receipts.
- History: current policies and loss runs.
Tree service insurance, answered
Why is tree service insurance hard to find?
Falling trees cause large property claims and tree work has high injury rates, so many standard carriers exclude it. Specialty markets write it, priced on height, crane use and the work you do.
Do I need a license for tree work in California?
Tree work on a job worth $1,000 or more in labor and materials generally needs a CSLB license; tree service has its own classification. I can help you line up the coverage a license requires.
Does general liability cover a tree falling on a house?
Yes, damage you cause to someone else's property is the core of general liability. Damage to the tree you're working on and to your own equipment is covered separately.
Is crane work covered?
It has to be disclosed. Crane and bucket truck work changes the rating, and some policies exclude it unless it's listed.
Do you offer tree service insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Tell me the work you do. I'll shop it.
Work types, payroll and your current declarations page are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.