How much public liability cover does a tree surgeon need?
What councils and contractors usually ask for.
Tree SurgeonInsurance
Tree Surgeon Insurance
Public liability and employers’ liability for tree surgeons and arborists. A dropped limb on a roof, car or fence is the claim this trade makes most, so your cover is built around it.
Public liability and employers’ liability for tree surgeons and arborists. A dropped limb on a roof, car or fence is the claim this trade makes most, so your cover is built around it.
Working at heightChainsaws & climbing kitDamage to property
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What is tree surgeon insurance?
Tree surgeon insurance brings together the covers an arborist needs to work safely around other people’s property: public liability for injury or damage you cause, employers’ liability if you have staff, and cover for your chainsaws, chipper and climbing kit. Most claims come from a branch or section of trunk landing somewhere it shouldn’t, so your liability limit matters more than anything else on the policy.
Tree work happens next to houses, roads, parked cars and power lines. One misjudged cut can damage property you were never working on.
Tree surgeon insurance can include:
Public liabilityEmployers’ liabilityTools and equipment coverPlant cover for chippers and stump grindersProfessional indemnity (tree reports and surveys)Business van insurance (separate policy)
Cover often bought alongside tree surgeon insurance
Public Liability
Covers claims if a falling branch, rope or tool injures someone or damages their property.
Employers’ Liability
Often a legal requirement once you employ staff, including groundworkers and climbers.
Professional Indemnity
Covers claims that a tree report or survey you produced was negligent.
Business Contents
Protects kit, stock and equipment kept at your yard or unit.
Personal Accident
Can pay a benefit if an injury at work stops you climbing and earning.
How much public liability cover does a tree surgeon need?
How much public liability cover does a tree surgeon need?
There is no single answer. Domestic garden work can often be covered at £2 million, but councils, housing associations, utilities and principal contractors set their own minimums for tree work, and these are often higher.
There is no single answer. Domestic garden work can often be covered at £2 million, but councils, housing associations, utilities and principal contractors set their own minimums for tree work, and these are often higher.
| Level of cover | Typical for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
£2 million | Domestic garden and hedge work | Often too low for council or contractor work |
£5 million | Commercial clients and housing associations | A common minimum for council and housing association contracts |
£10 million | Work near roads, rail or utility lines | Often required by utilities and principal contractors |
Beyond £10 million | Major infrastructure or specified contracts | Usually only needed if the contract states it |
Top Tip
Check what the council, housing association or contractor requires before choosing a limit. Many set a minimum for tree work, and you may need to show your certificate before you start.
How much does tree surgeon insurance cost?
There’s no fixed price. It depends on the type of work you do, how you access the tree, your team, your equipment and your claims history. Insurers also ask about chainsaw certification, typically NPTC or Lantra units, for anyone using a saw.
Type of work
Domestic, commercial, utility and rail work each carry a different level of risk.
Climbing or MEWP
Insurers ask whether you climb, use a MEWP or work from the ground.
Number of staff
More employees increase your employers’ liability exposure.
Felling and stump grinding
Felling or dismantling near buildings, roads and cables raises the risk of a claim.
Equipment you own
Chippers, stump grinders and saws you own add equipment risk to the policy.
Claims history
Insurers look at any previous claims when they assess your cover.
How to get tree surgeon insurance
How to get tree surgeon insurance
Getting tree surgeon insurance takes four steps: tell us about your work, choose your cover level, compare specialist insurers, then get covered, often the same day.
Getting tree surgeon insurance takes four steps: tell us about your work, choose your cover level, compare specialist insurers, then get covered, often the same day.
1
Tell us about your work
The type of tree work you do, how you access the tree and whether you have staff.
2
Choose your cover level
£2 million up to £10 million or more, based on your clients.
3
We compare specialist insurers
We search our panel of 20+ UK insurers.
4
Get covered and working
Receive your documents, often the same day.
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Trusted by thousands of businesses across the UK
From everyday business insurance to complex specialist cover, our customers trust Insurance Revolution to find the right protection and provide expert support when it matters.
From everyday business insurance to complex specialist cover, our customers trust Insurance Revolution to find the right protection and provide expert support when it matters.
Tree surgeon insurance guides
Tree surgeon insurance guides
Practical advice on cover levels, equipment and working safely around property.
Practical advice on cover levels, equipment and working safely around property.
Tree surgeon insurance FAQs
Tree surgeon insurance FAQs
Straight answers on public liability, equipment, certification and cost.
Straight answers on public liability, equipment, certification and cost.
Tree surgeon insurance is a combination of covers for arborists and tree surgeons: public liability for injury or damage you cause, employers’ liability if you have staff, and cover for your chainsaws, chipper and climbing kit.
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