Tree Service Insurance in
Minnesota
Insurance Built for Minnesota Tree Service Companies
Tree work in Minnesota isn't ordinary business.
From routine trimming and pruning to storm cleanup and hazardous tree removal, your crews may be climbing, operating chainsaws, working from bucket trucks, running chippers and stump grinders, and working around homes, vehicles and commercial property.
Tree Trimmers Insurance Agency specializes in insurance for Minnesota tree service companies and arborists.
Whether you operate one crew or manage multiple crews, trucks and equipment, we'll help you review your operation and explore insurance options designed around the work you actually perform.
What Insurance Does a Minnesota Tree Service Company Need?
Every operation is different, but a Minnesota tree service insurance program may include several important coverages.
General Liability Insurance
Tree work creates significant liability exposures.
A falling limb could damage a home or vehicle. Equipment could accidentally damage customer property. Someone could be injured while your crew is working.
General Liability Insurance may help protect your business against certain covered claims involving third-party bodily injury and property damage.
Your coverage should accurately reflect the tree trimming, tree removal and other services your company performs.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Minnesota generally requires employers to provide Workers' Compensation coverage for their employees, with limited statutory exceptions.
There is no minimum employee threshold. Even an employer with only one part-time employee generally must provide coverage.
For tree service companies, this is especially important because employees may be exposed to risks involving climbing, chainsaws, falling limbs, heavy equipment, chippers and physically demanding work.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Your trucks keep your tree business moving.
Minnesota tree companies may operate:
- Pickup trucks
- Dump trucks
- Bucket trucks
- Chip trucks
- Service vehicles
- Trailers
- Vehicles towing equipment
Commercial Auto Insurance can provide liability and optional physical damage coverage for eligible business vehicles.
Your vehicles, drivers and coverage limits should be reviewed regularly as your operation grows.
Tree Trimmer Equipment Insurance
Think about the equipment your crews depend on every day.
Chippers. Stump grinders. Skid steers. Chainsaws. Loaders. Grapples. Climbing equipment.
Replacing even one major piece of equipment can be expensive.
Equipment coverage, often provided through inland marine or contractors equipment insurance, may help protect eligible equipment against covered losses while it's being stored, transported or used at different job sites.
Commercial Property Insurance
If your Minnesota tree service owns or leases a shop, garage, office or other business location, Commercial Property Insurance may help protect eligible buildings, contents and other business property against covered causes of loss.
Property that remains at your location and equipment that travels with your crews may require different types of insurance.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance
Tree service accidents can potentially result in significant liability claims.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance can provide additional liability limits above certain underlying policies when a covered claim exceeds the applicable underlying limit.
As your tree company grows, adds vehicles and employees or begins taking larger jobs, your liability limits deserve another look.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance
As your company grows, you're managing more than trees and equipment.
You're managing people.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance may provide protection for certain covered employment-related allegations involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation and other employment practices claims.
Minnesota Workers' Compensation: What Tree Companies Should Know
Minnesota has broad Workers' Compensation requirements.
Generally, employers are required to purchase Workers' Compensation Insurance or receive approval to self-insure. There is no minimum number of employees before the requirement applies.
That means a Minnesota employer with just one part-time employee generally must provide Workers' Compensation coverage, although specific exceptions exist under Minnesota law.
For a tree service company, it's also important that payroll and employee classifications accurately reflect the work being performed.
Climbers, groundspeople, drivers, equipment operators and office employees may have very different job duties and exposures.
Minnesota Tree Care Companies Must Register
Minnesota has another requirement tree service owners should know about.
Commercial tree care providers, tree trimmers and employers directing employees to remove trees, limbs, branches, brush or shrubs for hire are required to register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Tree Care Registry.
Registration is required before conducting these activities and must be renewed annually.
Companies must provide information including their business name, address, telephone number and the Minnesota counties where they provide services.
Minnesota also prohibits businesses required to register from advertising tree care or tree trimming services in the state without being registered.
Insurance and registration are separate requirements, but both should be part of the conversation when operating a professional tree service company in Minnesota.
Minnesota Weather Can Change the Job Quickly
Minnesota tree companies know that the work isn't always scheduled weeks in advance.
Severe weather, wind, heavy snow and ice can create damaged trees, broken limbs and emergency cleanup work.
That can mean:
- Longer workdays
- Additional crews
- Temporary or seasonal employees
- More driving
- Increased equipment use
- Hazardous tree removal
- Work around damaged structures
- Emergency jobs in unfamiliar locations
When your operations change significantly, it's worth considering whether your insurance still reflects the work your company is performing.
Tree Service Isn't Ordinary Landscaping
Removing a large tree isn't the same exposure as maintaining a lawn.
Minnesota tree companies may perform work involving:
- Tree trimming and pruning
- Tree removal
- Hazardous tree removal
- Climbing
- Bucket truck operations
- Stump grinding
- Storm cleanup
- Land clearing
- Crane-assisted removal
- Residential tree work
- Commercial tree work
Your insurance provider should understand the full scope of your operation.
Is Your Minnesota Tree Company Growing?
Growth changes your insurance needs.
Maybe you've recently:
- Added another crew
- Hired additional employees
- Increased payroll
- Purchased another chipper
- Added a bucket truck
- Bought a skid steer
- Expanded into additional Minnesota counties
- Started taking larger commercial jobs
- Added new tree services
Those changes are all good reasons to review your insurance.
The policy you purchased when you had one truck and a small crew may not fit the company you're running today.
Already Have Tree Service Insurance?
Great.
Let us take a second look.
Tree Trimmers Insurance Agency can review your existing coverage, learn more about your Minnesota tree service operation and help identify areas that may deserve additional attention.
Tree Service Insurance From People Who Understand Your Business
Tree Trimmers Insurance Agency specializes in helping tree service companies and arborists protect their businesses.
We understand the trucks.
We understand the equipment.
We understand the crews.
And we understand that tree service insurance isn't ordinary business insurance.
Let's Review Your Minnesota Tree Service Insurance
Whether you're starting a tree service, expanding an established company or wondering whether your current insurance still fits, we're ready to take a look.