How Much Is Tree Surgeon Insurance?
Insurance. Not the most thrilling part of being a tree surgeon – but one of the most important. Whether you’re a solo climber, part of a crew, or just starting your own business, you’ve probably asked: how much is tree surgeon insurance?
We’ll give you the real figures, explain the cover types you need (and don’t), and share what we’ve actually paid as a Norwich-based team doing this day-in, day-out.
Why tree surgeons need specialist insurance
Tree surgery isn’t landscaping. We work at height, use chainsaws, handle heavy machinery, and often operate near buildings, roads, and live power lines. Mistakes are rare – but when they happen, they can cost thousands.
The right insurance protects:
- The public (if you damage property or injure someone)
- Your team (if someone gets hurt on the job)
- Your tools and plant (if stolen or damaged)
- Your income (if you can’t work after an accident)
Without it, you’re one branch snap away from a major financial problem.
The main types of tree surgeon insurance
Let’s break it down into the essentials:
1. Public Liability Insurance (non-negotiable)
This covers injury or damage to third parties. For example, dropping a branch whilst pollarding through a conservatory roof.
Average cost:
£450–£900/year (depending on cover level, usually £2m–£10m)
2. Employers’ Liability Insurance (legal requirement if you have staff)
Covers injuries to your employees while working.
Average cost:
£200–£600/year (often bundled with public liability)
3. Tool & Equipment Insurance
Covers chainsaws, climbing gear, chippers, grinders, etc.
Average cost:
£150–£500/year (depends on kit value and theft risk)
4. Personal Accident & Income Protection
Pays out if you’re injured and can’t work.
Average cost:
£300–£800/year depending on age, risk level, and income
5. Plant & Machinery Cover
For bigger kit like tracked chippers
Average cost:
£400–£1,500/year, depending on plant value
6. Optional extras
- Legal expenses cover
- Professional indemnity (for consultancy or reports)
- Van insurance (separate from standard car cover)
What we’ve paid as a Norwich-based team
Here’s a real example from our own books:
- Public Liability (£5 million cover): £780/year
- Employers’ Liability (for 3 staff): £390/year
- Tools and Kit Cover (£20k value): £430/year
- Personal Accident Insurance (for 2 climbers): £620/year
Total: £2,220/year – not cheap, but worth every penny the moment something goes sideways.
What affects the cost?
- Number of employees – more staff = higher risk
- Climbing vs. ground only – climbers are higher risk
- Turnover – higher earnings can mean bigger potential claims
- Equipment value – more gear to insure
- Claims history – previous accidents push up your premiums
- Location – theft risk in urban areas can increase costs
Where to get it
You’re best going through a specialist tree surgeon insurance broker, not a generic comparison site. Ones we’ve heard good things about include:
- Arborisk – known in the industry
- Trust Insurance – tree-surgery-specific
- Hiscox / Simply Business – decent for smaller ops
And don’t just accept the first quote. We’ve seen the same policy vary by £400 between providers.
Watch out for exclusions
Read the small print. We’ve seen policies that:
- Exclude aerial work (so climbing’s not covered – madness)
- Cap payouts for tool theft from vehicles
- Only cover UK mainland jobs (check if you do cross-border work)
Always ask: “Am I covered if X happens while doing Y?”
Insurance for part-time or subcontract tree surgeons
If you’re subcontracting under someone else’s team, you might not need employers’ liability – but you still need public liability and your own accident cover. We’ve worked with climbers who thought they were covered under someone else’s policy and got caught out. Don’t assume.
Final tip: include insurance on your quotes
We always mention our insurance level when quoting jobs. Something like:
“Fully insured up to £5 million with trained staff and risk assessments for every job.”
It builds trust and filters out clients looking for a cowboy job.
So, how much is tree surgeon insurance?
If you’re serious about the trade, expect to budget £1,500–£2,500/year for solid cover. And if you’re not sure what you need, we’re happy to share how we built our policy – and what we’d do differently if we were starting again.
