Insurance Question

[Greener]

Could I get insurance as a tree worker without ever having worked for someone else? If so, how much am I looking at paying?

 

[fireman821]

getting insurance

I have a part time job trimming trees. Actually it is a handyman job, but with my forestry experience fighting forest fires, it turned into a tree business. Last summer I cut or trimmed maybe 300 trees. I decided at this rate, things are not going to slow down so I went to my dads farm insurance agent. He gets his crop insurance from her. She was able to find me a 1 million dollar policy for just over $500 a year. It is liability only. I thought that was pretty cheap, so I jumped at the opportunity.
I did learn you have to go to an Indipendant agent. The State farm, or Progressive, or other big name companies will not do it. They don't want the hastle with a small time individual. An independant can search around and use whoever they want.
Hope that helps.

 

[joezilla11]

Yes you can but I've heard of some guys paying more for the first few years because of the lack of experience and some guys not. Shop around like fireman said

 

[husqvarna335xpt]

When I called for my quote they just asked how many years I had in the industy and how much I thought I was gunna bring in my first year.... no back ground check so brnd the truth a lil
Mine was 300 $ up front 86 a month there after for 9 monthes
2 million liability

 

[joezilla11]

Everyone has their opinion but the only guy I know with a policy that high is a builder. 1 mill seems common and some guys go even less

 

[joezilla11]

Don't forget insurance agents are salesmen. Mine is a long time friend so I got lucky.

 

[ropensaddle]

Everyone has their opinion but the only guy I know with a policy that high is a builder. 1 mill seems common and some guys go even less

I have 1mil being under insured in business not real prudent too many ambulance chasers!

 

[husqvarna335xpt]

yeah 2 million is alot but my insurance guy said its the same price as 1 million fell in the same catagory so pay what i was gunna pay for a million n get 2 million wasnt gunna argue...

 

[joezilla11]

I can't see that being a buy one get one free deal. I'd get a second quote and atleast compare but it's your money

 

[joezilla11]

Even if you save $10/month that's $120/yr and get yourself a new ladder

 

[Greener]

I have a part time job trimming trees. Actually it is a handyman job, but with my forestry experience fighting forest fires, it turned into a tree business. Last summer I cut or trimmed maybe 300 trees. I decided at this rate, things are not going to slow down so I went to my dads farm insurance agent. He gets his crop insurance from her. She was able to find me a 1 million dollar policy for just over $500 a year. It is liability only. I thought that was pretty cheap, so I jumped at the opportunity.
I did learn you have to go to an Indipendant agent. The State farm, or Progressive, or other big name companies will not do it. They don't want the hastle with a small time individual. An independant can search around and use whoever they want.
Hope that helps.

This is definitely good news. Thanks, Fireman and thanks for all the feedback everyone else.

 

[Pelorus]

To be able to bid on any work for the town I'm close to, you have to have $5 Mil liability coverage. It is the town's insurance provider that has stipulated that. btw, it is a small town of approx. 20,000, and their insurance premium costs about a half million a year. Big bucks.

 

[husqvarna335xpt]

My ladder works just fine lol does it really matter you can't believe its a 2 for1 deal? Thats how it went down

 

[joezilla11]

Aren't u a little sassy today! Lol I meant to reply to greener I got your post mixed up with his. If that's what u got that's fine. Just trying to give advice to OP in regards to comparing quotes which is sometimes a not so common safe practice. Being smart with your money is obviously important but I also read a post somewhere on here about a guy who got landscapers insurance and said he wasn't covered to do any tree work higher than 20ft.

 

[husqvarna335xpt]

20 ft! only good for apple orchards lol.....