Can You Put A Tree Trimming Tree Service Company In An Llc In Michigan

Insurance coverage for tree work done on your property probably isn't the starting time thing you recall about when hiring someone to clip, remove, care for, or maintain your trees. Just information technology's arguably the virtually important consideration.

We're not saying that you shouldn't check into a tree intendance company's feel, references, and credentials – merely that you should ever also check on their insurance coverage.

Many people opt for the provider who can go the job done the quickest and cheapest. Often, that's a "tree guy" with a pickup body and a chainsaw, or a landscaper who likewise offers "tree trimming" services.

Only what happens if a tree or branch falls on a person or construction while (or even after) the work is existence done? Of if someone falls or gets cut?

The outcome depends on the types and level of insurance coverage held by the person or company doing the work.

Hither's what you need to know about tree service insurance before hiring anyone to practice tree work on your belongings.

See The Real Toll of Poor Tree Care – Information technology'll toll far more in the long run …

TREE WORK IS Dangerous

It's not always obvious just how dangerous tree piece of work tin be, especially for those without the training, equipment and feel to practice it properly and safely. Tree work is done at heights and is affected by heavy objects, unpredictable events, dangerous tools, and more. (One way to increase the rubber factor is to rent a Certified Arborist.)

While landscapers and "tree guys" often take on the dangerous tasks that Certified Arborists are trained to perform, they don't have the aforementioned technical training and experience, nor do they carry the same level of insurance.

That puts you fifty-fifty more at risk – there's a greater chance of something going wrong AND higher odds of you being held liable for any injuries or damages.

TYPES OF INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TREE CARE COMPANIES

There are two types of insurance coverage to look at – general liability and workers' compensation. To be adequately protected, the tree care professional (preferably a Certified Arborist) you hire must accept both.

GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

Although information technology'southward called "general" liability insurance, information technology's extremely specific when it comes to the type of work covered by the insurance policy.

If someone is performing tree work, their insurance policy mustspecifically comprehend tree piece of work.If not, whatsoever damages or injuries arising from tree work done on your propertyvolition non exist covered.

Insurance policies for landscapers are different – they simply provide coverage for work done on the footing and up to about eight or x feet above that. If a person climbs up over x anxiety to work on your tree (or even if they only climb a ladder to reach a branch) and something happens, their insurance will not cover it. In that situation, you may be liable for any injuries, impairment, medical bills, lost wages, etc.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE

Tree work is dangerous, especially if the wrong equipment is used

Here in Massachusetts, all companies are required past constabulary to conduct workers' compensation. (In that location are some exceptions to this – you tin detect details here.)

As with general liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance must specifically cover tree work (non simply landscaping or similar work) in order to be valid.

Although many companies claim to exist fully covered by workers' compensation insurance, they may not always be covered for tree work.

Tree work coverage is extremely expensive (which is not surprising, given the dangerous nature of the work). To cut costs, some companies doing tree work choose to classify themselves equally landscapers instead (or forgo workers' bounty entirely). They can then pass the cost savings on to you lot in the course of a lower toll for tree work. Only don't be fooled – what they've really done is pass the take chances on to you!

Without the correct type of workers' compensation coverage, the business owner is legally required to pay for work injuries to him/herself and whatever crew members. And if they can't or won't? As the belongings owner who hired the visitor, you are on the hook.

While you can sue the company to recover amercement, you lot'll still accept to pay for the injured person'southward medical bills, lost wages and other costs associated with the injury until the example is settled.

COVERAGE LIMITS

The coverage limits on the insurance policy are besides important. The limits should be high enough to pay for whatsoever costs arising from an accident or injury. Some minimum limits to look for are:

General Liability: $one million each occurrence and $ii million amass
Automobile Liability: $1 million each accident
Umbrella Liability: $i million
Workers Compensation: $500,000 per accident

Tree care is inherently dangerous. Make certain the visitor or arborist you hire is well protected with tree care-specific workers' bounty coverage.

Request A Document OF INSURANCE

To ensure that you're fairly protected, always ask for the insurance company to ship you a Certificate of Insurance (COI) so you can be sure that the policy is even so in upshot and covers tree work. A photocopy provided by the business owner is a good first, but you should withal inquire for the "existent" COI. There'southward usually no charge for this.

If a visitor takes offense to your asking for the insurance certificate, yous may desire to rethink whether you should practise business with them.

IN SUMMARY

The next time you get a proposal for tree work (and peculiarly 1 that seems too good to exist true!),enquire to see policy documents for both general liability and workers' compensation.

The low-cost providers generally don't take both types of insurance and/or have very low policy limits, putting you lot and your family unit at hazard should an accident happen on your belongings.

Don't accept the risk! Enquire to come across our COI before you rent us – nosotros're happy to have it sent directly to you.