Tree Service Insurance in
Wisconsin
Insurance Built for Wisconsin
Tree Service Companies
Tree service businesses face risks that most companies never encounter.
Your crews may be climbing, operating chainsaws, removing large trees, working from bucket trucks, running chippers and stump grinders, hauling equipment and performing jobs around homes, businesses and vehicles.
Tree Trimmers Insurance Agency specializes in insurance for Wisconsin tree service companies and arborists.
Whether you're operating one crew or managing 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 Wisconsin Tree Service Company Need?
Every tree company is different, but a Wisconsin tree service insurance program may include several important coverages.
General Liability Insurance
Tree trimming and removal can create significant liability exposures.
A falling limb could damage a roof, fence 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 policy should accurately reflect the tree trimming, removal and other services your company performs.
Worker's Compensation
Tree work can be physically demanding and hazardous.
Employees may be climbing, operating chainsaws, working around chippers, handling heavy limbs, working at heights or operating specialized equipment.
Wisconsin requires employers meeting certain employee or payroll thresholds to carry Workers' Compensation Insurance.
Workers' Compensation may provide eligible benefits when an employee experiences a covered work-related injury or illness.
Commercial Auto Insurance
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- Pickup trucks
- Dump trucks
- Bucket trucks
- Chip trucks
- Service vehicles
- Trailers
- Vehicles towing chippers and other equipment
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Tree Trimmer Equipment Insurance
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- Wood chipper
- Stump grinder
- Skid steer
- Chainsaws
- Loaders
- Grapples and attachments
- Climbing and rigging equipment
- Other specialized tools
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Commercial Property Insurance
If your Wisconsin tree service owns or leases an office, shop, garage or other business location, Commercial Property Insurance may help protect eligible buildings, contents and other business property against covered causes of loss.
Property that stays at your business location and equipment that travels with your crews may require different types of coverage.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance
Tree service accidents can result in significant liability claims.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance can provide additional limits above certain underlying liability policies when a covered claim exceeds the applicable underlying limit.
As your tree company grows, adds vehicles and crews or begins taking larger jobs, it's important to periodically review whether your liability limits still fit your operation.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance
Growing a tree company means managing people as well as equipment.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance may provide protection for certain covered employment-related allegations involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation and other employment practices claims.
If your company is adding employees, supervisors or additional crews, EPLI is worth discussing.
TREE SERVICE ISN'T ORDINARY LANDSCAPING
Removing a large tree isn't the same exposure as maintaining a lawn. Your insurance provider should understand exactly what your company and crews are doing.
- Tree trimming and pruning
- Tree removal
- Hazardous tree removal
- Climbing
- Bucket truck operations
- Stump grinding
- Storm cleanup
- Land clearing
- Crane-assisted removal
- Residential and commercial tree work
Wisconsin Workers'
Compensation
What tree companies should know about employee, payroll and Workers' Compensation requirements.
Wisconsin has specific Workers' Compensation requirements based on the number of employees and payroll.
Generally, a Wisconsin employer must obtain Workers' Compensation Insurance when it:
- Employs three or more full-time or part-time employees; or
- Employs one or more full-time or part-time employees and pays combined gross wages of $500 or more in a calendar quarter for work performed in Wisconsin.
An employer reaching three employees must generally obtain coverage on the day the third person is employed.
An employer reaching the $500 quarterly payroll threshold generally must have coverage by the 10th day of the first month of the following calendar quarter.
Exceptions and special circumstances can apply, so tree service owners should review their individual operations with an insurance professional.
DON'T ASSUME A SUBCONTRACTOR IS
AUTOMATICALLY A SUBCONTRACTOR
Tree companies sometimes use subcontractors or independent contractors for additional crews or specialized work.
Wisconsin has specific tests for determining whether a worker qualifies as an independent contractor for Workers' Compensation purposes.
Simply calling someone an independent contractor—or paying them as one—doesn't necessarily determine their status under Wisconsin Workers' Compensation law.
If your tree service regularly uses subcontractors, it's important to review those relationships and understand what insurance documentation should be maintained.
DOES YOUR CREW WORK ACROSS
STATE LINES?
Wisconsin tree service companies may perform jobs in neighboring Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois or Michigan.
Workers' Compensation and other insurance requirements can vary from state to state.
If your crews regularly cross state lines, discuss those operations with your insurance professional rather than assuming your home-state policy automatically addresses every exposure.
STORM WORK CAN CHANGE
YOUR BUSINESS OVERNIGHT
Wisconsin weather can create a very different kind of workday. Wind, thunderstorms, snow and ice can result in damaged trees, fallen limbs and emergency cleanup work.
Suddenly your company may have:
When your operation changes, your insurance exposures may change with it.
IS YOUR WISCONSIN
TREE COMPANYGROWING?
Growth can change your insurance needs quickly.
Maybe you've recently:
Added another crew
Hired additional employees
Increased payroll
Purchased another chipper
Added a bucket truck
Bought a skid steer
Expanded your service area
Started taking larger commercial jobs
Added new tree services
Those are all good reasons for an insurance review.
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 Wisconsin tree service operation and help identify areas that may deserve additional attention.
We understand the equipment.
We understand the crews.
LET’S REVIEW YOUR
WISCONSIN 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.