General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance is the cornerstone of any tree service insurance program. It covers third-party bodily injury claims — such as when a falling branch strikes a bystander or a homeowner trips over equipment left on their property. It also covers property damage liability, protecting you when your operations damage a client's home, vehicle, fence, or landscaping. Additionally, it includes personal and advertising injury coverage for claims like libel, slander, or copyright infringement in your marketing materials.

For tree service companies, GL claims are common because your work inherently involves heavy objects falling from height near people and property. A single branch dropping onto a parked car or a section of trunk damaging a roof can result in claims ranging from a few thousand dollars to six figures. Without general liability coverage, these claims come directly out of your pocket — or worse, force you to close your doors.

Tree work is one of the most liability-intensive trades in the contractor space. Every job site involves heavy objects at height, powerful cutting equipment, and proximity to client property. A misjudged fall zone can send a tree section through a roof. A chipper can launch debris into a neighbor's window. A crew member can trip over a root while carrying a chainsaw.

Beyond accidents, most commercial clients and general contractors require proof of general liability insurance before they'll hire you. Municipal contracts, HOA work, and property management companies all demand certificates of insurance. Without GL, you're locked out of the most profitable segments of the market.

General liability also protects you from frivolous claims. Even if you did nothing wrong, you still need to pay for legal defense — and GL covers those costs, which can easily exceed $50,000 for a single lawsuit.