Get quotes for public liability, professional indemnity, tools and employers' liability insurance for UK tree surgeons — quotes are provided directly by FCA-authorised insurers, not by us.
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Every trade faces unique risks. Here's what could go wrong and why the right cover matters.
Tree work has one of the highest injury and fatality rates of any UK trade, almost entirely down to two things: working at height and using a chainsaw. Properly trained, certified staff are the single biggest factor in keeping both risks under control.
A branch or section of trunk that falls the wrong way can damage a fence, car, greenhouse or roof in seconds, and these claims can escalate quickly when timber is involved. Careful rigging, a clear drop zone and a realistic assessment of where material will land all help manage this risk.
Aerial work, often well above 10 metres, means a fall is a constant risk throughout the job. Correct use of harnesses, ropes and rescue equipment, and a competent person trained in aerial rescue, are central to managing this — and to employers' liability cover responding properly if something goes wrong.
Chainsaw injuries, whether during aerial cutting or ground-based processing, are a leading cause of serious harm in tree work. Insurers will want to know that anyone using a chainsaw holds the relevant certificate of competence and that equipment is properly maintained.
NPTC and LANTRA certificates — covering chainsaw use, aerial cutting, aerial rescue and felling — are the recognised standard for UK tree work, alongside regular refresher training as recommended by the HSE. Employing only properly certified climbers and ground staff is one of the clearest ways to reduce both accidents and the size of a claim if one happens.
A strong policy covers the specific risks of your trade — from site accidents to equipment theft and client disputes.
Covers legal costs and compensation if a client or third party is injured or has property damaged during your work. Most builders and contractors require you to hold this before starting on site.
Covers your tools against theft from a van or site, and accidental damage. Tool theft is one of the most common claims for tradespeople — check the limit carefully.
Legally required if you employ anyone — including casual workers or labour-only subcontractors you direct on site. Minimum £5 million cover required by law.
Covers work in progress on site against damage from fire, flood, theft or accidental damage before it's handed over to the client. Essential for large or long-running jobs.
Covers owned or hired-in plant and machinery on site — diggers, cherry pickers, compressors and specialist equipment.
Covers legal costs for contract disputes, debt recovery, HMRC investigations and employment tribunal defence.
A few things worth checking before you buy, whichever UK insurer or broker you compare.
Check the limit matches what your contracts, landlord or clients require — common tiers are £1m, £2m, £5m and £10m depending on trade and risk.
Professional and liability covers are often "claims-made" — cover depends on holding a live policy when a claim is made, not just when the work happened.
Read what's excluded, not just what's covered. Sub-contractor work, specific activities, or work carried out overseas are common gaps.
Before buying, confirm any insurer or broker is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority — check the register at register.fca.org.uk.
🤝 We're finalising partnerships with FCA-authorised UK insurers so you can compare real quotes here soon. Check back shortly, or get in touch if you'd like to be notified when comparisons go live.
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