im trying to break into the business and looking 4 some reasonable insurance

[Robh]

Can anybody give me any advice on this matter? Im not looking to get into this full time just on the weekends and Im finding it hard to cough up 5,000 bucks for a part time gig. And is there anything I need to look out for while shopping for insurance? Any help would be appreciated....Rob

 

[treeman82]

I'm just going to back up what Rocky said. If you have some experience then they will be more willing to insure you. Also though, you have to be able to estimate your payroll or gross sales well. The lower that number is, the less your insurance will cost.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

i'd check into that kind of insurance; and the other kind that comes from reading all kinds of stuff here.

Locally NationWide comes to mind as perhaps a big enough name to find in other towns, tree liability insurance wasn't offered at every door here..

Good Luck!

 

[treeman82]

Kenny, I had asked a NationWide rep back in 2001 or 2000 about getting tree insurance through them. At the time they did not offer it. I had recieved a quote from State Farm about a year ago and they seemed very reasonable, and I had heard good things about them from other people in the industry.

 

[kurtztree]

I have West Bend Mutual Insurance. $1,000,000 coverage general liability or commercial liability whatever you call it for $732 a year with one claim on it . I have 500 dollar deductable

 

[NebClimber]

I paid $800 for 6 mos of professional liability insurance. $500,000 of coverage. $500 deductable. I had to call around b/f I found an agent. I was told I would need 3 yrs experience b/f the underwriting would be adjusted.

Work comp is $40 per $100 of payroll here in Nebraska. We arborists all get tossed into the state funded high risk pool.

Biz auto liability policy is $2k / yr for my 1973 International grain truck. This also covers anything I tow with it, e.g., my chipper.

 

[Robh]

Thanks alot guys this is exactly what i was looking for. The agent that i had talked to didnt sound like he really knew what i was looking for and gave me a quote for 5000 for 6 months, thnx again....Rob

 

[Newfie]

Robh,

sounds like the agent was throwing a "go away,don't bother me" number at you. Figured he'd quote you you something outrageous so he didn't have to go through the hassle of getting you the best price. He's probably much happier sitting on his a$$ pumping out homeowners and auto quotes.

I have a half mill and that is running me $2700 a year, no verifiable experience,etc. Well,off to knock down trees.

 

[treeman82]

Rob, that price might have been right on if your payroll / gross sales were high enough. Just a thought.

 

[TREETX]

Shop around, prices vary a lot. Be sure you only get what you need but still get what you need to get jobs and CYA.

Instead of fishing here, ask some local tree companies who they use. That is what I did. You learn a lot real fast. That method requires knowing other locals and having a good relationship.

I network with a handful of other tree company owner/operators locally.

 

[NickfromWI]

Added benefit of Rocky's technique.....

You call them for bid, ask for insurance certificate. You will quickly learn which of your competitors are not insured. This might be valuable information to future potential customers. Don't trash talk competitors, but sharing facts is not trash.

love
nick