Commercial Auto Insurance
Commercial Auto Insurance for Tree Service Companies
Your trucks do a lot more than get your crew from Point A to Point B.
Tree service companies depend on vehicles to transport employees, tow equipment, haul debris and move from one job site to the next. When one of those vehicles is involved in an accident, the financial impact can be significant.
Commercial Auto Insurance helps protect the vehicles that keep your tree service business moving.
Why Do Tree Service Companies Need Commercial Auto Insurance?
Personal auto insurance generally isn't designed for vehicles being used primarily for business purposes.
Tree service operations may use:
-
- Pickup trucks
- Dump trucks
- Bucket trucks
- Chip trucks
- Service vehicles
- Vehicles used to tow trailers and equipment
- Other commercial vehicles
Commercial auto insurance can provide liability and physical damage protection for eligible vehicles used in your business, depending on the coverage selected.
What Can Commercial Auto Insurance Cover?
Coverage varies by policy, but a commercial auto policy may include:
Auto Liability
Helps protect your business when an insured driver is legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage resulting from a covered vehicle accident.
Collision Coverage
May help pay for covered damage to an insured vehicle resulting from a collision.
Comprehensive Coverage
May provide protection for covered losses caused by events other than a collision, such as theft, vandalism, fire or certain weather-related losses.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Depending on the policy and state requirements, this coverage may provide protection when an insured vehicle is involved in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or insufficient insurance.
Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection
Availability and requirements vary by state, but these coverages may help with certain medical expenses resulting from a covered accident.
Your Drivers Matter, Too
Your vehicles aren't the only thing an insurance company considers.
Who is behind the wheel matters.
As your company adds employees, it's important to have procedures for determining who is authorized to drive company vehicles.
Consider regularly reviewing:
- Current drivers
- Motor vehicle records
- Driver qualifications
- Vehicle-use policies
- Accident reporting procedures
- Driver safety expectations
Adding a new employee who will be driving a company vehicle? That's a good reason to contact your insurance agent.
How Much Does Commercial Auto Insurance Cost for a Tree Service Company?
Commercial auto premiums can vary based on factors such as:
- Number and type of vehicles
- Vehicle values
- Number of drivers
- Driver records
- Where vehicles operate
- How vehicles are used
- Mileage
- Claims history
- Coverage limits
- Deductibles
- Types of equipment being transported or towed
A tree service company operating one pickup truck has very different commercial auto exposures from a company running multiple crews with bucket trucks, chip trucks and trailers.
What About Trailers and Equipment?
This is an important question for tree service companies.
A commercial auto policy doesn't necessarily provide all the protection needed for the equipment you're towing or transporting.
Your chipper, stump grinder, skid steer, tools, trailers and other equipment may need separate coverage.
That's why your Commercial Auto Insurance and Tree Trimmer Equipment Insurance should be reviewed together.
What About Bucket Trucks and Permanently Attached Equipment?
Tree service vehicles can be more complicated than standard commercial autos.
A bucket truck, chip truck or other specialized vehicle may include permanently attached equipment with significant value.
How the vehicle and attached equipment are insured can vary by policy.
Make sure your insurance professional understands exactly what you're driving—not simply the year, make and model.
When Was the Last Time You Reviewed Your Vehicle List?
Tree companies grow—and vehicle schedules don't always keep up.
Maybe you've:
- Purchased another truck
- Sold an older vehicle
- Added a bucket truck
- Hired another driver
- Added another crew
- Started operating in a new territory
- Purchased or changed trailers
Your insurance company needs accurate information about the vehicles and drivers associated with your business.
Don't wait until there's an accident to discover something wasn't listed correctly.
Are Your Auto Liability Limits Enough?
A serious commercial vehicle accident can result in substantial property damage, injuries and legal expenses.
Tree service companies should periodically review their commercial auto liability limits and determine whether additional protection through Commercial Umbrella Insurance should also be considered.
Commercial Auto Insurance That Understands Tree Service
Tree Trimmers Insurance Agency specializes in insurance for tree service companies and arborists.
We understand that your vehicles are an essential part of your operation.
They're carrying employees, towing equipment and traveling from one job site to another every day.
We'll help you review your vehicles, drivers and current coverage to determine whether your commercial auto insurance still fits the way your tree service business operates today.
Let's Review Your Commercial Auto Coverage
Already have a commercial auto policy?
Send us your current coverage and vehicle list.
We'll review your existing insurance, learn more about your operation and help you explore commercial auto coverage options for your tree service business.
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