Risk & Business Magazine Nesbit Agencies Spring 2017 | Page 29
ARBORIST INSURANCE
The Importance
Of Arborist Insurance
W
hether working by
themselves or as
part of a small team
for tree companies
and landscaping
businesses, arborists undertake risks
every day that they step into the
field. OSHA statistics show that the
majority of fatalities are experienced
veteran arborists, often because they
were willing to take on riskier and
more difficult jobs. To onlookers,
arborists make the job look easy. The
reality is that trees are unbelievably
heavy, and the risk of an arborist
falling or being hit by falling limbs is
high. Having the right insurance is
essential for all arborists and tree care
professionals, regardless of the size of
their crew. Even though price is always
an issue, it isn’t the be-all and end-all,
especially when it comes to insurance.
While true insurance for tree trimmers
or arborists does not exist, the specific
risks these professionals face are shared
by other industries. Finding the right
coverage can protect you and your
business investments. Risk factors
can include property damage, injuries
to yourself or others, loss or theft of
equipment, on-the-job injuries, errors-
and-omissions exposures, and accidents
stemming from the use of commercial
vehicles. Of course, the work you
perform with your company may
differ from others and it is important
to assess the risks and liabilities you
face in your specific business. There
are a number of general types of
insurance which will apply to arborists
and are important to consider:
•
Professional liability insurance –
Provides protection against liability
claims due to negligence, poor
advice, or recommended services
that result in a loss to clients.
“WHETHER
WORKING BY
THEMSELVES
OR AS PART
OF A SMALL
TEAM FOR TREE
COMPANIES AND
LANDSCAPING
BUSINESSES,
ARBORISTS
UNDERTAKE
RISKS EVERY DAY
THAT THEY STEP
INTO THE FIELD. ”
• General liability insurance – Covers
property damage, bodily injury, and
many other general liability risks.
• Commercial vehicle insurance
– Coverage is similar to personal
automotive insurance but is
specifically for commercial
vehicles and drivers.
• Workers’ compensation – Required
in all states, though laws do
vary from one state to another.
This covers job-related injuries
or illnesses and lost income.
These types of insurance are by no
means exhaustive. The scope of the
work you do, and the extent to which
you and your employees do that work,
will ultimately dictate what type
and how much coverage you need.
It is essential that you speak with a
professional and thoroughly assess
your risks, liabilities, and needs to
ensure that you and your tree care
business are properly covered.
For more information or to get
an appraisal of your current
insurance needs, contact Wayne
Nesbit at 952-746-4312 or
[email protected].
Do your research, weigh your options,
and get the peace of mind that comes
with being properly covered. +
BY: WAYNE NESBIT
NESBIT AGENCIES
Wayne is Executive Vice-President at
Nesbit Agencies and works with a wide
variety of clients on their insurance
programs, including assisted living
facilities,
property
management
companies, and restaurants. Contact
him at is [email protected]
or 952-746-4312.
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