Arborist Insurance for Small Businesses
You Bring the Tools. We’ve Got the Insurance
Tree work is never simple. You’re dealing with height, heavy gear, live sites, and public spaces. One wrong move and someone’s injured, something’s damaged, or the job gets shut down.
That’s why we build arborist insurance that actually fits how you work. It’s quick to sort out, easy to understand, and ready for whatever the contract or council throws at you.
You need insurance cover that handles the risk, not just the paperwork.
Risk Strategy That Grows With Your Team. We Keep You Compliant Across Every Site.
If you’re running an established arborist business with teams on site and plant equipment in the field, your insurance needs to go beyond minimum compliance.
It should actively support your workforce, safeguard your equipment, and maintain your ability to meet contract requirements.
All Trades Cover develops tailored arborist business insurance programs for operators managing multiple crews, high-value assets, and projects where reliability and risk management are critical.
Cover That Moves With Active Tree Contractor Crews
If you’re running a tree crew or working solo, your insurance needs to keep up with real risks, not slow you down with red tape.
You might be dealing with:
- Councils and infrastructure firms are asking for Certificates of Currency with specific clauses and wording requirements.
- Contracts packed with terms like Principal’s Indemnity or Cross Liability
- Gear on the ute, trailer, or job site that needs proper cover
- Subbies jumping on and off the job, each with different risks
You don’t need jargon or delays. Just arborist insurance that sorts the paperwork and lets you get back to the job.
Insurance Built for Commercial Tree Contractors
Arborist operations bring layered risks and contractual complexities that standard insurance often overlooks, especially as your business scales.
You may be dealing with:
- Contracts with strict insurance or indemnity clauses
- Work near power lines, roads, or public assets
- Multi-crew teams across multiple sites
- High-value machinery like chippers and cranes
- Compliance audits or project-specific safety plans
- Labour-hire or subcontractor liability exposure
What Insurance Do You Need as a Small Arborist Contractor?
Traditionally known as an arborist, tree loppers face a combination of risks that most trades don’t. Working at height, near powerlines, with high-risk equipment, and often on public or council land adds another layer of complexity to every job.
Here’s the kind of insurance that keeps tree loppers and vegetation crews protected and compliant. We tailor it to suit your trade, the type of work you take on, and how your team operates.
Public Liability Insurance
Personal Accident & Illness
Workers Compensation
Tools and Equipment Insurance
Commercial Motor Insurance
Plant & Equipment Insurance
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Tax Audit Insurance
Public Liability Insurance
Arborist Public Liability insurance is a must-have if you’re working near property, people, or powerlines. It protects you if your work causes injury or damage to third parties, whether it’s a fallen branch, equipment accident, or unexpected site risk, and it’s essential for meeting council, civil, and contractor requirements.
Most tree surgeons are asked to carry between $5 million and $20 million in coverage, depending on the job. Councils and contractors don’t usually ask for site-specific Certificates of Currency, but they will check that your cover includes the right wording, limits, and endorsements before you’re allowed on-site.
This might include naming the principal contractor, including specific clauses, or confirming that your policy meets the contract requirements.
With All Trades Cover, you’ll get tailored cover for:
- Tree removal, stump grinding, and vegetation clearing
- Work near roads, infrastructure, or powerlines
- Use of plant and equipment, including hired gear
- Subbies, height risks, and council contract wording
- Principal’s Indemnity and Cross Liability for Contract Compliance
Certificates tailored to meet council and civil access requirements, including specific wording and clause requests.
Personal Accident & Illness
Tree work is risky business; one slip, strain, or serious injury can put you out of action. If you’re not covered by Workers’ Comp, like most solo operators and small business owners, you’ll need a backup plan to keep the income coming in.
Personal Accident & Illness includes:
- Weekly payments to help replace your income while you recover
- An optional lump sum payout if you suffer a permanent injury or death
- Add-on options for medical expenses, rehab, or hospital bills
- Cover that applies on and off the job, not just during work hours
Whether you’re working at height as a rope access technician, running a crew, or grinding stumps solo, we’ll help you lock in the right level of protection, so if something goes wrong, the money doesn’t stop.
Workers Compensation
If you’ve got people on the books, even just casuals or part-timers, you’re legally required to have Workers’ Compensation in place. Each state has different rules, and it’s easy to get caught out if you’re not sure who counts as a ‘worker.’
We’ll help you:
- Set up the right Workers’ Comp policy for WA, but we can support NT placements and point you in the right direction throughout Australia.
- Classify employees and subbies correctly so there are no surprises at audit time
- Add Principal’s Indemnity where contracts or site requirements call for it
- Assist with wage declarations, estimates, and adjustments, and help you work out whether working directors need to be covered or not
- Lodge claims quickly and gives you advice on when and how to report incidents
- Handle the paperwork, including forms, supporting documents, and submissions
- Coordinate with your insurer to set up return-to-work plans, light duties, and rehab options
- Monitor claims to avoid cost blowouts and long-term premium hikes
- Stay across treatment plans, medical reports, and liability decisions with proactive insurer follow-up
If past claims have pushed up your rates, we can:
- Review your claims history and identify where issues started
- Advocate for fairer rates based on current safety measures or crew changes
- Help bring your premium rate down over time with the right approach
Even if your claims history is clean, we’ll still go into bat for you:
- Negotiate sharper rates with your insurer and make sure your account reflects your track record
Whether you’re running a tight crew or scaling up for council work, we’ll keep you compliant and properly covered.
Tools and Equipment Insurance
Also known as General Property, Tools and Equipment insurance protects the gear that keeps your tree business running, whether it’s locked in the ute, loaded on the trailer, or left onsite between jobs.
If your tools get stolen, damaged, or lost, this cover helps you replace them fast and get back to work without the headache.
What’s typically included under this cover:
- Chainsaws, climbing kits, ropes, and harnesses
- Chippers, stump grinders, blowers, and other machinery
- Gear stored in vehicles, trailers, or at job sites
- Optional extras for open-air theft and remote access sites
It’s a smart add-on to your tree service insurance, especially if you’re carrying expensive gear or moving between jobs often. We’ll help you choose the right cover for how and where you work, make sure high-value items are insured properly, and keep the paperwork tight in case there’s a claim. Most policies have low limits per item, so we’ll make sure your pricier gear is covered to its full value.
Commercial Motor Insurance
Driving between jobs with a ute full of saws or towing a chipper? Commercial Motor insurance covers your work vehicles, trailers, and mounted gear, whether you’re on the road or parked up at a job site.
What’s included in this cover:
- Use on public roads, work sites, and access tracks
- Cover for trailers, chippers, toolboxes, and mounted equipment
- Excess-free windscreen replacement
- Optional hire vehicle cover following an accident
- Options to meet lender or lease requirements if the vehicle is financed
- Cover for additions and deletions of plant and vehicles as your fleet changes
We’ll help you set it up right, so you’re covered for how you actually use your gear, not just how it looks on paper.
Plant & Equipment Insurance
If you’re running bigger tree climber gear like chippers, stump grinders, or Elevated Work Platforms (EWPs), this cover protects your machinery from damage, theft, fire, rollover, and even some mechanical breakdowns, whether it’s onsite, in transit, or stored between jobs.
We’ll include cover for:
- Tracked chippers, stump grinders, EWPs, and tow-behind gear
- Registered and unregistered plant used for vegetation or tree work
- Coverage for site access, off-road use, and transport between jobs
- Optional cover for wet or dry hire setups
- Support for floatage, breakdowns, and recovery if required
We’ll also make sure your tree lopper gear is properly valued, listed, and scheduled, so if something does go wrong, you’re not out of pocket or caught short come claim time.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
If you’re giving advice, writing reports, or signing off on site work, Professional Indemnity should be part of your arborist business insurance.
It protects you if a client claims your advice, like a tree assessment or clearing recommendation, caused them a financial loss, even if the work was done by the book.
You may need this cover if you:
- Provide tree risk reports or vegetation management plans
- Sign off on compliance documents for councils or contractors
- Give advice on clearing zones, access safety, or hazard mitigation
What’s typically covered:
- Legal defence costs, settlements, and investigations
- Claims involving advice, documentation, or certification
- Allegations of negligence, even if the claim doesn’t hold up
This type of cover is often required alongside your tree service insurance if you’re working on council tenders, infrastructure projects, or part of a design-and-clear scope.
Tax Audit Insurance
If the ATO comes knocking, Tax Audit insurance helps cover the cost of getting your books in order, without draining the business.
It covers the accountant or advisor fees you might face during a tax audit, BAS review, or super investigation. If you’re running a crew, using subbies, or working on council jobs, it’s a smart backup to have.
What’s typically included:
- Accountant or bookkeeper fees during an ATO audit
- BAS, payroll tax, super, or income tax investigations
- Help prepare records, reports, and financial statements
Public Liability Insurance
Arborist Public Liability insurance is a must-have if you’re working near property, people, or powerlines. It protects you if your work causes injury or damage to third parties, whether it’s a fallen branch, equipment accident, or unexpected site risk, and it’s essential for meeting council, civil, and contractor requirements.
Most tree surgeons are asked to carry between $5 million and $20 million in coverage, depending on the job. Councils and contractors don’t usually ask for site-specific Certificates of Currency, but they will check that your cover includes the right wording, limits, and endorsements before you’re allowed on-site.
This might include naming the principal contractor, including specific clauses, or confirming that your policy meets the contract requirements.
With All Trades Cover, you’ll get tailored cover for:
- Tree removal, stump grinding, and vegetation clearing
- Work near roads, infrastructure, or powerlines
- Use of plant and equipment, including hired gear
- Subbies, height risks, and council contract wording
- Principal’s Indemnity and Cross Liability for Contract Compliance
Certificates tailored to meet council and civil access requirements, including specific wording and clause requests.
Personal Accident & Illness
Tree work is risky business; one slip, strain, or serious injury can put you out of action. If you’re not covered by Workers’ Comp, like most solo operators and small business owners, you’ll need a backup plan to keep the income coming in.
Personal Accident & Illness includes:
- Weekly payments to help replace your income while you recover
- An optional lump sum payout if you suffer a permanent injury or death
- Add-on options for medical expenses, rehab, or hospital bills
- Cover that applies on and off the job, not just during work hours
Whether you’re working at height as a rope access technician, running a crew, or grinding stumps solo, we’ll help you lock in the right level of protection, so if something goes wrong, the money doesn’t stop.
Workers Compensation
If you’ve got people on the books, even just casuals or part-timers, you’re legally required to have Workers’ Compensation in place. Each state has different rules, and it’s easy to get caught out if you’re not sure who counts as a ‘worker.’
We’ll help you:
- Set up the right Workers’ Comp policy for WA, but we can support NT placements and point you in the right direction throughout Australia.
- Classify employees and subbies correctly so there are no surprises at audit time
- Add Principal’s Indemnity where contracts or site requirements call for it
- Assist with wage declarations, estimates, and adjustments, and help you work out whether working directors need to be covered or not
- Lodge claims quickly and gives you advice on when and how to report incidents
- Handle the paperwork, including forms, supporting documents, and submissions
- Coordinate with your insurer to set up return-to-work plans, light duties, and rehab options
- Monitor claims to avoid cost blowouts and long-term premium hikes
- Stay across treatment plans, medical reports, and liability decisions with proactive insurer follow-up
If past claims have pushed up your rates, we can:
- Review your claims history and identify where issues started
- Advocate for fairer rates based on current safety measures or crew changes
- Help bring your premium rate down over time with the right approach
Even if your claims history is clean, we’ll still go into bat for you:
- Negotiate sharper rates with your insurer and make sure your account reflects your track record
Whether you’re running a tight crew or scaling up for council work, we’ll keep you compliant and properly covered.
Tools and Equipment Insurance
Also known as General Property, Tools and Equipment insurance protects the gear that keeps your tree business running, whether it’s locked in the ute, loaded on the trailer, or left onsite between jobs.
If your tools get stolen, damaged, or lost, this cover helps you replace them fast and get back to work without the headache.
What’s typically included under this cover:
- Chainsaws, climbing kits, ropes, and harnesses
- Chippers, stump grinders, blowers, and other machinery
- Gear stored in vehicles, trailers, or at job sites
- Optional extras for open-air theft and remote access sites
It’s a smart add-on to your tree service insurance, especially if you’re carrying expensive gear or moving between jobs often. We’ll help you choose the right cover for how and where you work, make sure high-value items are insured properly, and keep the paperwork tight in case there’s a claim. Most policies have low limits per item, so we’ll make sure your pricier gear is covered to its full value.
Commercial Motor Insurance
Driving between jobs with a ute full of saws or towing a chipper? Commercial Motor insurance covers your work vehicles, trailers, and mounted gear, whether you’re on the road or parked up at a job site.
What’s included in this cover:
- Use on public roads, work sites, and access tracks
- Cover for trailers, chippers, toolboxes, and mounted equipment
- Excess-free windscreen replacement
- Optional hire vehicle cover following an accident
- Options to meet lender or lease requirements if the vehicle is financed
- Cover for additions and deletions of plant and vehicles as your fleet changes
We’ll help you set it up right, so you’re covered for how you actually use your gear, not just how it looks on paper.
Plant & Equipment Insurance
If you’re running bigger tree climber gear like chippers, stump grinders, or Elevated Work Platforms (EWPs), this cover protects your machinery from damage, theft, fire, rollover, and even some mechanical breakdowns, whether it’s onsite, in transit, or stored between jobs.
We’ll include cover for:
- Tracked chippers, stump grinders, EWPs, and tow-behind gear
- Registered and unregistered plant used for vegetation or tree work
- Coverage for site access, off-road use, and transport between jobs
- Optional cover for wet or dry hire setups
- Support for floatage, breakdowns, and recovery if required
We’ll also make sure your tree lopper gear is properly valued, listed, and scheduled, so if something does go wrong, you’re not out of pocket or caught short come claim time.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
If you’re giving advice, writing reports, or signing off on site work, Professional Indemnity should be part of your arborist business insurance.
It protects you if a client claims your advice, like a tree assessment or clearing recommendation, caused them a financial loss, even if the work was done by the book.
You may need this cover if you:
- Provide tree risk reports or vegetation management plans
- Sign off on compliance documents for councils or contractors
- Give advice on clearing zones, access safety, or hazard mitigation
What’s typically covered:
- Legal defence costs, settlements, and investigations
- Claims involving advice, documentation, or certification
- Allegations of negligence, even if the claim doesn’t hold up
This type of cover is often required alongside your tree service insurance if you’re working on council tenders, infrastructure projects, or part of a design-and-clear scope.
Tax Audit Insurance
If the ATO comes knocking, Tax Audit insurance helps cover the cost of getting your books in order, without draining the business.
It covers the accountant or advisor fees you might face during a tax audit, BAS review, or super investigation. If you’re running a crew, using subbies, or working on council jobs, it’s a smart backup to have.
What’s typically included:
- Accountant or bookkeeper fees during an ATO audit
- BAS, payroll tax, super, or income tax investigations
- Help prepare records, reports, and financial statements
What Insurance Do You Need as a Mid-Sized Arborist Business?
Your company carries risk across every layer of operations, from site activity and equipment exposure to subcontractor management and contract delivery.
Here’s the type of cover you may need to consider, tailored for arborist businesses with growing crews, complex risks, and commercial contract requirements.
Public & Products Liability Insurance
Business Package Insurance
Professional Indemnity Insurance
General Property Insurance
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Contractor Plant & Machinery Insurance
Motor Fleet Insurance
Management Liability / Directors & Officers Insurance
Corporate Travel Insurance
Tax Audit Insurance
Project-Specific Endorsements & Extensions
Public & Products Liability Insurance
Arborist Public Liability insurance is essential for businesses delivering high-risk tree work, particularly on public land, near infrastructure, or under commercial contract. It provides cover for third-party injury or property damage linked to your work, whether during operations or after handover.
Larger contracts often require:
- $10M to $20M or more in coverage
- Principal’s Indemnity and Cross Liability wording
- Contractual Liability inclusions
- Certificates of Currency tailored to contract wording and access requirements
This level of cover is expected for arborist businesses managing vegetation on behalf of councils, utilities, civil contractors, or facility managers, where risk exposure is high and contract terms are tight.
Business Package Insurance
Business Package insurance offers consolidated protection for arborist companies managing physical assets, staff, and contractual risk across multiple sites. It allows you to bring key covers under one policy, structured to reflect the scale and complexity of your operations.
Your Business Insurance Package may include:
- General Property for tools, mobile plant, and hired-in equipment
- Public and Products Liability suited to higher-limit requirements
- Fire and Perils, including storm and impact damage
- Theft and malicious damage at depots or on-site
- Business Interruption linked to insured events
- Transit cover for equipment or materials in movement
For growing arborist businesses with commercial contracts, council work, or depot-based operations, a tailored business package can streamline your risk management, ensuring compliance, reducing gaps, and supporting operational continuity.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Professional Indemnity insurance protects your business if a client alleges that your advice, reports, or assessments caused financial loss or failed to meet contractual standards.
If you provide arborist reports, risk assessments, or consulting as part of your work, particularly for councils, infrastructure projects, or development sites. This type of cover may be required under contract.
It can respond to claims involving:
- Negligent advice or reporting
- Breach of professional duty
- Project delays or contract disputes linked to your input
- Legal costs and damages
General Property Insurance
General Property insurance, often also referred to as Tools and Equipment Cover, protects the smaller-scale physical assets your arborist business relies on every day, whether they’re on-site, in transit, or stored at your depot.
This cover is essential for arborist businesses with mobile crews and widespread exposure to theft, damage, or loss across multiple locations.
It typically includes:
- Hand and power tools used on-site or stored in vehicles
- Smaller plant and equipment, such as chainsaws and blowers
- Assets stored in utes, trailers, or secure site containers
- Protection from theft, fire, accidental damage, or storm events
- Optional cover for hired or leased tools
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
If your business employs staff, Workers Compensation insurance is a statutory requirement in every state and territory where work is performed. For arborist businesses engaged in high-risk activities such as vegetation management, elevated work, and civil or council contracts, maintaining compliance is critical.
Managing these obligations becomes more complex when you’re overseeing multiple crews, engaging subcontractors, or working under formal contract structures. We focus on WA policies and can support NT placements if required. For other states, we’ll guide you on where to obtain cover and how to stay compliant.
We help you:
- Register correctly under WA legislation, and support placements in NT
- Classify employees, subcontractors, and casual workers accurately to avoid audit issues or claim disputes
- Add Principal’s Indemnity where required by councils or head contractors
- Determine whether working directors should be included and ensure correct setup
- Assist with Wages Declarations, premium estimates, and mid-term adjustments
- Lodge claims quickly and advise you on when and how to report incidents
- Manage all claim paperwork, including forms, supporting documentation, and insurer submissions
- Work with your insurer to coordinate return-to-work plans, light duties, and rehab options
- Monitor claim progression to avoid long-tail costs and premium blowouts
- Proactively engage with insurers to track medical reports, treatment plans, and liability decisions
We can support your rate strategy by:
- Reviewing your claims history or current premium structure
- Advocating for improved terms based on risk profile, crew changes, or safety performance
- Negotiating competitive rates for clean accounts with low or no claims
- Assisting in reducing your premium rate over time through a documented, strategic approach
Whether you’re scaling up for council work or managing multiple crews across high-risk environments, we’ll keep your Workers Compensation program compliant, structured, and fit for purpose.
Contractor Plant & Machinery Insurance
Contractor Plant and Machinery insurance protects the high-value equipment your business depends on, whether you own it, hire it in, or lease it under contract.
For arborist companies operating chippers, stump grinders, cranes, elevated work platforms (EWPs), and heavy vehicles, this cover safeguards your machinery from damage, theft, and unexpected breakdown, both on-site and in transit.
Your policy can be structured to include:
- Owned and registered plant and machinery
- Hired-in or leased equipment
- Wet or dry hire arrangements
- Automatic additions and deletions of plant equipment
- Accidental damage, fire, or theft
- Breakdown and recovery costs
- Road risk and public liability (where required)
- Finance protection if the equipment is under loan or lease
Motor Fleet Insurance
Motor Fleet insurance protects the vehicles your business depends on, whether they’re used for transporting crews, towing equipment, or moving plant between sites.
For arborist companies managing multiple utes, trucks, trailers, or heavy vehicles, this cover provides a consolidated solution that supports business continuity and reduces administrative overhead.
Your policy can be structured to include:
- Comprehensive or third-party property damage cover
- Coverage for owned, leased, or financed vehicles
- Windscreen replacement and downtime protection
- Optional cover for hired-in vehicle liability, where required
- Automatic inclusion and deletion of new vehicles (within specified limits)
- Optional tools and equipment cover while in transit
Management Liability / Directors & Officers Insurance
Management Liability insurance protects your business, and the people who run it, from claims relating to mismanagement, governance breaches, or employment-related disputes.
As your arborist business grows, so does your exposure to risks that sit beyond day-to-day operations. Claims can arise from staff management, regulatory investigations, or decisions made by directors and officers in good faith.
Your policy can be structured to include:
- Directors & Officers Liability
- Employment Practices Liability (e.g. unfair dismissal or harassment claims)
- Statutory Liability (e.g. WHS breaches, fines, or investigations)
- Crime cover (internal or external fraud or theft)
- Tax audit and regulatory investigation costs
This cover is especially relevant for arborist businesses with payroll obligations, subcontractor oversight, and commercial contracts, where leadership decisions and business processes are under greater scrutiny.
Corporate Travel Insurance
Corporate Travel insurance provides financial protection for employees and directors undertaking work-related travel, both domestically and internationally.
It offers cover for a range of travel-related risks, including:
- Overseas medical and evacuation expenses
- Trip cancellations, delays, or disruptions
- Loss or theft of business property and equipment
- Rental vehicle excess and associated damage
- Personal accident cover during travel
For arborist companies with personnel travelling for site inspections, project meetings, or training, this policy supports business continuity and strengthens your duty of care obligations.
Tax Audit Insurance
Tax Audit insurance covers the professional fees incurred if your business is subject to an audit, investigation, or review by the ATO or other government agencies.
It provides protection against the often significant accounting, legal, and advisory costs associated with:
- ATO audits or compliance reviews
- Superannuation and payroll tax audits
- BAS, FBT, and income tax reviews
- WorkCover or Workers Compensation audits
- State-based revenue authority investigations
For arborist businesses with growing payrolls, subcontractor arrangements, or complex financial reporting, Tax Audit insurance helps reduce the financial impact of regulatory scrutiny, ensuring you have the right support in place if you’re audited.
Project-Specific Endorsements & Extensions
Project-specific endorsements are policy adjustments that meet the unique insurance requirements of a specific job, site, or contract, ensuring your cover aligns with the terms set by a principal contractor, council, or client.
These endorsements are often required to:
- Name the principal or head contractor as an interested party
- Extend Public Liability or Professional Indemnity cover for a defined scope
- Satisfy contract clauses for indemnity, liability limits, or cross-liability
- Issue Certificates of Currency that align with contract-specific wording, limits, and endorsement requirements
If you’re engaged on council, civil, or infrastructure-adjacent projects, we can help ensure your policy meets contractual obligations without disrupting the core structure of your insurance program.
Public & Products Liability Insurance
Arborist Public Liability insurance is essential for businesses delivering high-risk tree work, particularly on public land, near infrastructure, or under commercial contract. It provides cover for third-party injury or property damage linked to your work, whether during operations or after handover.
Larger contracts often require:
- $10M to $20M or more in coverage
- Principal’s Indemnity and Cross Liability wording
- Contractual Liability inclusions
- Certificates of Currency tailored to contract wording and access requirements
This level of cover is expected for arborist businesses managing vegetation on behalf of councils, utilities, civil contractors, or facility managers, where risk exposure is high and contract terms are tight.
Business Package Insurance
Business Package insurance offers consolidated protection for arborist companies managing physical assets, staff, and contractual risk across multiple sites. It allows you to bring key covers under one policy, structured to reflect the scale and complexity of your operations.
Your Business Insurance Package may include:
- General Property for tools, mobile plant, and hired-in equipment
- Public and Products Liability suited to higher-limit requirements
- Fire and Perils, including storm and impact damage
- Theft and malicious damage at depots or on-site
- Business Interruption linked to insured events
- Transit cover for equipment or materials in movement
For growing arborist businesses with commercial contracts, council work, or depot-based operations, a tailored business package can streamline your risk management, ensuring compliance, reducing gaps, and supporting operational continuity.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Professional Indemnity insurance protects your business if a client alleges that your advice, reports, or assessments caused financial loss or failed to meet contractual standards.
If you provide arborist reports, risk assessments, or consulting as part of your work, particularly for councils, infrastructure projects, or development sites. This type of cover may be required under contract.
It can respond to claims involving:
- Negligent advice or reporting
- Breach of professional duty
- Project delays or contract disputes linked to your input
- Legal costs and damages
General Property Insurance
General Property insurance, often also referred to as Tools and Equipment Cover, protects the smaller-scale physical assets your arborist business relies on every day, whether they’re on-site, in transit, or stored at your depot.
This cover is essential for arborist businesses with mobile crews and widespread exposure to theft, damage, or loss across multiple locations.
It typically includes:
- Hand and power tools used on-site or stored in vehicles
- Smaller plant and equipment, such as chainsaws and blowers
- Assets stored in utes, trailers, or secure site containers
- Protection from theft, fire, accidental damage, or storm events
- Optional cover for hired or leased tools
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
If your business employs staff, Workers Compensation insurance is a statutory requirement in every state and territory where work is performed. For arborist businesses engaged in high-risk activities such as vegetation management, elevated work, and civil or council contracts, maintaining compliance is critical.
Managing these obligations becomes more complex when you’re overseeing multiple crews, engaging subcontractors, or working under formal contract structures. We focus on WA policies and can support NT placements if required. For other states, we’ll guide you on where to obtain cover and how to stay compliant.
We help you:
- Register correctly under WA legislation, and support placements in NT
- Classify employees, subcontractors, and casual workers accurately to avoid audit issues or claim disputes
- Add Principal’s Indemnity where required by councils or head contractors
- Determine whether working directors should be included and ensure correct setup
- Assist with Wages Declarations, premium estimates, and mid-term adjustments
- Lodge claims quickly and advise you on when and how to report incidents
- Manage all claim paperwork, including forms, supporting documentation, and insurer submissions
- Work with your insurer to coordinate return-to-work plans, light duties, and rehab options
- Monitor claim progression to avoid long-tail costs and premium blowouts
- Proactively engage with insurers to track medical reports, treatment plans, and liability decisions
We can support your rate strategy by:
- Reviewing your claims history or current premium structure
- Advocating for improved terms based on risk profile, crew changes, or safety performance
- Negotiating competitive rates for clean accounts with low or no claims
- Assisting in reducing your premium rate over time through a documented, strategic approach
Whether you’re scaling up for council work or managing multiple crews across high-risk environments, we’ll keep your Workers Compensation program compliant, structured, and fit for purpose.
Contractor Plant & Machinery Insurance
Contractor Plant and Machinery insurance protects the high-value equipment your business depends on, whether you own it, hire it in, or lease it under contract.
For arborist companies operating chippers, stump grinders, cranes, elevated work platforms (EWPs), and heavy vehicles, this cover safeguards your machinery from damage, theft, and unexpected breakdown, both on-site and in transit.
Your policy can be structured to include:
- Owned and registered plant and machinery
- Hired-in or leased equipment
- Wet or dry hire arrangements
- Automatic additions and deletions of plant equipment
- Accidental damage, fire, or theft
- Breakdown and recovery costs
- Road risk and public liability (where required)
- Finance protection if the equipment is under loan or lease
Motor Fleet Insurance
Motor Fleet insurance protects the vehicles your business depends on, whether they’re used for transporting crews, towing equipment, or moving plant between sites.
For arborist companies managing multiple utes, trucks, trailers, or heavy vehicles, this cover provides a consolidated solution that supports business continuity and reduces administrative overhead.
Your policy can be structured to include:
- Comprehensive or third-party property damage cover
- Coverage for owned, leased, or financed vehicles
- Windscreen replacement and downtime protection
- Optional cover for hired-in vehicle liability, where required
- Automatic inclusion and deletion of new vehicles (within specified limits)
- Optional tools and equipment cover while in transit
Management Liability / Directors & Officers Insurance
Management Liability insurance protects your business, and the people who run it, from claims relating to mismanagement, governance breaches, or employment-related disputes.
As your arborist business grows, so does your exposure to risks that sit beyond day-to-day operations. Claims can arise from staff management, regulatory investigations, or decisions made by directors and officers in good faith.
Your policy can be structured to include:
- Directors & Officers Liability
- Employment Practices Liability (e.g. unfair dismissal or harassment claims)
- Statutory Liability (e.g. WHS breaches, fines, or investigations)
- Crime cover (internal or external fraud or theft)
- Tax audit and regulatory investigation costs
This cover is especially relevant for arborist businesses with payroll obligations, subcontractor oversight, and commercial contracts, where leadership decisions and business processes are under greater scrutiny.
Corporate Travel Insurance
Corporate Travel insurance provides financial protection for employees and directors undertaking work-related travel, both domestically and internationally.
It offers cover for a range of travel-related risks, including:
- Overseas medical and evacuation expenses
- Trip cancellations, delays, or disruptions
- Loss or theft of business property and equipment
- Rental vehicle excess and associated damage
- Personal accident cover during travel
For arborist companies with personnel travelling for site inspections, project meetings, or training, this policy supports business continuity and strengthens your duty of care obligations.
Tax Audit Insurance
Tax Audit insurance covers the professional fees incurred if your business is subject to an audit, investigation, or review by the ATO or other government agencies.
It provides protection against the often significant accounting, legal, and advisory costs associated with:
- ATO audits or compliance reviews
- Superannuation and payroll tax audits
- BAS, FBT, and income tax reviews
- WorkCover or Workers Compensation audits
- State-based revenue authority investigations
For arborist businesses with growing payrolls, subcontractor arrangements, or complex financial reporting, Tax Audit insurance helps reduce the financial impact of regulatory scrutiny, ensuring you have the right support in place if you’re audited.
Project-Specific Endorsements & Extensions
Project-specific endorsements are policy adjustments that meet the unique insurance requirements of a specific job, site, or contract, ensuring your cover aligns with the terms set by a principal contractor, council, or client.
These endorsements are often required to:
- Name the principal or head contractor as an interested party
- Extend Public Liability or Professional Indemnity cover for a defined scope
- Satisfy contract clauses for indemnity, liability limits, or cross-liability
- Issue Certificates of Currency that align with contract-specific wording, limits, and endorsement requirements
If you’re engaged on council, civil, or infrastructure-adjacent projects, we can help ensure your policy meets contractual obligations without disrupting the core structure of your insurance program.
Where Insurance Gaps Catch Arborists Off Guard
Scenario:
You’ve just secured a solid council clearing job or civil contract. Good money, strong crew, everything lined up. Then the contract lands in your inbox, packed with terms like Cross Liability, Waiver of Subrogation, and Principal’s Indemnity.
You have no clue what half of it means, and your current insurer is unreachable.
If your tree service liability insurance doesn’t match what’s in that contract, you’re not getting through the gate at the job.
What we do at All Trades Cover:
- Breaks it down into plain English, no complicated insurance talk
- Go through the contract line by line and point out what matters
- Spot any holes in your cover that could cause issues
- Talk directly to the insurer to get the wording fixed
- Send you a Certificate of Currency that actually gets you on site
What you avoid when you work with us:
- Delays getting started
- Endless back and forth with your broker
- Losing the job over non-compliant paperwork
Scenario:
You’re ready to roll on a new job. Good crew, good cash, everything in motion. But hidden in the contract is something called a Hold Harmless clause. Basically, if something goes wrong, it’s on you, not the local council. And your insurer might walk away from the claim.
What we do at All Trades Cover:
- Break it down into plain English, no insurance jargon
- Go through the contract line by line, so nothing gets missed
- Flag unfair or risky clauses that could void your cover
- Push back or renegotiate with councils and contractors if needed
- Talk directly to insurers to fix or customise policy wording
- Send you a Certificate of Currency that actually gets you through the gate
What you avoid when you work with us:
- Being left on your own in a legal mess
- Signing a contract that voids your insurance
- Getting caught between your local council and your insurer when things go south
Scenario:
You’ve sent through your Certificate of Currency and think you’re all good to go. Then the local council comes back: ‘Wording’s wrong.’ Now you’re chasing your broker, your crew’s sitting around, and the job’s stalled.
What we do at All Trades Cover:
- Send contract-specific Certificates that match what’s required from the start
- Talk directly to property managers or contract principals if there’s a holdup
- Negotiate and fix wording fast so you’re not left waiting
- Keep you updated the whole way, so you’re never in the dark
What you avoid when you work with us:
- Site delays that cost you time and money
- Playing the middleman between your insurer and the government department
- Looking unprofessional through no fault of your own
When Operational Growth Outpaces Insurance Structures
Scenario:
You’ve secured a contract with a council, utility, or civil contractor; high-value work, strict deliverables, and tight timeframes. Then the contract arrives, packed with requirements like Cross Liability, Waiver of Subrogation, Principal’s Indemnity, and project-specific endorsements.
You recognise the risk, but you’re not sure if your current cover meets the terms. And your existing broker isn’t picking up the phone.
Without aligned arborist liability insurance wording and Certificates that reflect the contract, you risk project delays, non-compliance, or being locked out of the job entirely.
What we do at All Trades Cover:
- Review the contract or scope of work in detail
- Translate insurance clauses into plain English
- Flag clauses that may be unreasonably risky or outside industry norms
- Identify any gaps or non-compliant policy terms
- Support renegotiation by advising on alternative wording or risk mitigations
- Work directly with underwriters to secure required endorsements
- Issue the correct Certificate of Currency for fast site access
- Provide you with a responsive team that understands your contract timelines and acts quickly
What you avoid by working with us:
- Delays to mobilisation or access
- Risk of non-compliance with principal contractor terms
- Losing the contract due to insurance misalignment
Scenario:
You’ve submitted your Certificate of Currency and assume everything is in order. Then the property manager responds: ‘The wording doesn’t meet the contract requirements.’
Your team is on standby, site access is delayed, and you’re now coordinating urgent amendments through your broker, while trying to maintain timelines and meet stakeholder expectations.
What we do at All Trades Cover:
- Provide Certificates of Currency that align with contract specifications from the outset
- Liaise directly with infrastructure firms or principal contractors to resolve insurance wording concerns
- Work closely with underwriters to implement required amendments promptly
- Maintain clear communication throughout, so you’re fully informed at every stage
What you avoid by working with us:
- Delays to site access that impact delivery timelines and project outcomes
- Managing back-and-forth between your insurer and contract stakeholders
- Reputational risk caused by non-compliant or incomplete insurance documentation
The Triggers That Tradies Call Us About Most
These are the kinds of calls we get at All Trades Cover every week:
- ‘I’ve just found out there’s a height limit on my current policy, now I’m not covered for this job.’
- ‘We’re doing fire break work and slashing, does my policy cover that or not?’
- ‘We’ve got to work near powerlines, what’s the deal with insurance for that?’
- ‘We’ve picked up a council job, the contract’s a monster, and I don’t know where to start.’
- ‘They’re asking for Principal’s Indemnity and a Waiver of Subrogation, no clue what that means.’
- ‘Can you review this contract before I sign it? I don’t want to get stitched up.’
- ‘I need an insurance coverage higher than $20m, can you help?’
If any of that sounds familiar, now’s the time to give us a call. Or if you’re flat out, just shoot through a quote enquiry. One of our Aussie-based team members will get back to you within 15 minutes.
Triggers That Signal It’s Time to Call Your Broker
Here’s the kind of support we regularly provide to growing trade businesses and their management teams:
- ‘We’ve secured a new contract. The principal won’t allow site access without evidence of Public Liability, Workers Comp, or Plant cover.’
- ‘We need to add a third party as a named insured. Can you handle the documentation quickly?’
- ‘There are new compliance requirements on our project, including Principal’s Indemnity wording and WA WorkCover updates.’
- ‘We’ve just purchased new equipment and need it added to our policy immediately.’
- ‘Our current broker isn’t supporting us — certificates are delayed, claims are getting ignored, and the service just isn’t there.’
- ‘Our Workers Comp premium has doubled — what strategies are available to reduce exposure?’
- ‘We have a direct market policy, but we’re now working on Tier 1 and mine sites — is it still fit for purpose?’
If any of these situations sound familiar, it’s worth speaking with an insurance broker from All Trades Cover who understands the demands of mining work.
Contact our team today, and we’ll help create a tailored mining contractor insurance program that works for your business.
Trusted by Aussie Tradies for Over 30 Years
Proudly ranked in the Insurance Business Top Brokerages every year from 2013 – 2024.
What All Trades Cover Can Deliver You:
Insurance That Actually Matches the Contract
Got a contract with tricky clauses or insurance demands you’ve never heard of? We’ll thoroughly run our eyes over it and make sure your policy stacks up, so you’re not caught out when it matters.
Read the Fine Print? We Do
You shouldn’t have to be an insurance expert. We’ll read the contract and policy for you and tell you what matters, straight up.
Fast Turnarounds, No Fuss
We sort urgent insurance documents within hours, so you’re not left waiting around while the job’s on the line.
Tenders and Contracts Asking for Insurance You’re Not Sure You Have?
Council and infrastructure contracts in arboriculture often include detailed insurance requirements, covering everything from indemnities and WHS obligations to subcontractor exposure and contract-specific terms. We help ensure your cover is properly structured, compliant, and contract-ready.
Here’s how we support you at All Trades Cover:
Review and translate contract requirements
Review and translate insurance clauses into clear language
Identify gaps or compliance risks
Identify compliance gaps or risk exposures in your current program
Work with underwriters
Work directly with underwriters to tailor cover to contract-specific terms
Provide access to broker-only policies
Provide access to broker-only policies unavailable through standard retail channels
Certificates of Currency
Issue fully compliant Certificates of Currency, ready for submission to councils, civil contractors, or commercial clients
FAQs for Arborists and Tree Contractors
We work with vegetation management crews and tree contractors of all sizes, from sole traders to small teams doing council and civil work.
Whether you’re climbing, grinding, or clearing, these are the most common questions we get from rope access technicians looking to get their insurance sorted properly.
Can I get arborist insurance with no height limit?
Yes, we can help you get cover with no height restrictions, or tailor the limit to suit the type of work you’re doing.
Most standard Public Liability policies have a cap of around 10-15 metres, which may not be enough for climbing or EWP work. If your arborist liability insurance doesn’t reflect how you actually work, you could be left exposed, even with a policy in place.
- We’ll source policies with no height limit, or up to 30-40 metres
- Ensure your insurer knows you do tree work at height
- Provide a Certificate of Currency with the correct height wording
We’ll make sure your insurance lines up with how you actually work, so there are no dramas if there’s a claim.
Can you add a local council or Government body to my insurance?
Absolutely. Most council and Government contracts require specific wording on your policy.
They’ll often request to be added as an interested party, along with clauses like Principal’s Indemnity and Waiver of Subrogation.
- We’ll add the council or authority to your policy
- Include required legal terms in your Public Liability wording
- Provide an updated Certificate of Currency that ticks every box
- Turn around documents quickly for tenders or site access
We work with contractors doing storm clean-ups, clearing, and council maintenance every day, so we know what councils and governments are after.
Can I add a principal contractor to my insurance?
Yes, if you’re working under a government department or head contractor, they may request to be listed on your policy.
We regularly help tree loppers with:
- Adding the principal contractor as an interested party
- Including Waiver of Subrogation and Principal’s Indemnity where needed
- Matching the contract’s insurance wording exactly
- Issuing updated Certificates of Currency fast
- Identify and help you push back on the principal contractor wherever necessary
We’ll review the job details, talk to underwriters if needed, and sort everything without the back-and-forth.
Does my arborist insurance cover hired equipment?
Not by default, you’ll need to make sure your policy includes Hired-In Plant or Machinery Cover.
If you’re using a stump grinder, chipper, or excavator, we can help you get protected for:
- Damage, theft, or fire
- Third-party property damage while operating hired gear
- Hired equipment used on council, civil, or private contracts
- Dry or wet hire (with or without operator)
We’ll also help you meet any insurance conditions from hire companies, so there are no hold-ups when you need to get to a job fast.
Do I need to cover subcontractors under my arborist policy?
If you’re paying them and directing their work, then yes, you usually do.
Even if they’re insured, you may still be legally liable under your Public Liability policy.
We’ll help by:
- Reviewing your use of subcontractors or casuals
- Declaring subbies correctly under your business activities
- Adjusting your policy turnover, your estimated payments, and setting up to match
- Avoiding gaps that could lead to denied claims
We’ll make sure your policy reflects how your team actually operates on-site.
Can I include subcontractors under my insurance?
Sometimes, it depends on how your policy is worded and how the subbies are engaged.
Some insurers allow subcontractors to be covered if they’re working under your control, while others expect them to have their own insurance.
Our team will:
- Clarify what your current policy allows
- Help you choose whether to include or exclude subcontractors
- Adjust the cover to avoid risk to your Public Liability or claims history
We will make sure that your setup is compliant and contract-ready.
Are my tools and gear covered if left in the ute or trailer?
Not always. Most policies exclude open-air theft unless you have the right cover in place.
If your chainsaws, climbing gear, or grinders are stored in your vehicle or trailer, we’ll help you find policies that include:
- Theft (even from unlocked toolboxes, utes or trailers)
- Fire, accidental damage, or storm damage
- Cover Australia-wide, on-site or on the move
- Proper limits for high-value tree surgeon tools
We’ll also show you how to list gear correctly and ensure there’s no guesswork at claim time.
Is stump grinding or tree removal covered under arborist insurance?
Yes, but only if it’s listed under your declared business activities.
If your policy doesn’t specifically include tree removal, stump grinding, or vegetation management, you could be exposed.
We’ll help by:
- Making sure your Public Liability covers every part of your scope
- Including tools like grinders, chippers, or EWPs
- Adjusting endorsements to reflect high-risk vegetation work
- Matching your Certificate wording to council and civil requirements
Not all policies are created equal; we tailor your business insurance for tree service to reflect the real risks you take on, so there are no surprises come claim time.
FAQs for Arborist Contractors
Unsure if your current business insurance for tree services still reflects how you operate today? These FAQs are designed for contractors managing expanding teams, larger scopes, and more formal contract obligations.
Can I obtain arborist insurance with no height limit?
Yes, we can source cover with no height restrictions or align the height limit with your operational requirements.
Most standard arborist Public Liability policies apply a cap of 10-15 metres, which may not be sufficient for elevated work or EWP operations. If your policy doesn’t reflect the heights your team operates at, you could face coverage gaps.
We can:
- Source policies with no height limit or extended limits up to 30-40 metres if required
- Ensure height risk is disclosed and appropriately rated
- Provide Certificates of Currency with accurate height wording
Can you include a council or government body in my policy?
Absolutely. Local government contracts typically require specific insurance endorsements and nominated interests.
Common requirements include being listed as an interested party and having Principal’s Indemnity and Waiver of Subrogation included in your tree service Public Liability insurance wording.
We’ll support you by:
- Adding the council or agency as an interested party
- Ensuring required legal clauses are incorporated
- Providing updated Certificates of Currency for contract submission
- Delivering documentation quickly for mobilisation or tender compliance
Can you add a principal contractor to my policy?
Yes, if you’re working under a head contractor or the local council, they may require specific insurance references.
We regularly assist with:
- Listing the principal as an interested party
- Including Waiver of Subrogation and Principal’s Indemnity
- Ensuring all insurance wording aligns with the subcontract agreement
- Issuing compliant Certificates of Currency without delay
Does my insurance cover hired plant and equipment?
Not automatically. If you’re using hired-in equipment such as chippers, stump grinders, or EWPs, you’ll need to ensure your policy includes Hired-In Plant cover.
We can arrange cover for:
- Accidental damage, fire, or theft of hired equipment
- Third-party property damage while operating a hired plant
- Equipment used under dry or wet hire arrangements
- Meeting the hiring company’s insurance requirements
Do subcontractors need to be covered under my policy?
If subcontractors are working under your direction and being paid by your business, you’re likely responsible for them from an insurance perspective, even if they hold their own cover.
We’ll assist by:
- Reviewing your subcontractor arrangements
- Declaring subbies appropriately under your business activities
- Ensuring your policy structure accounts for this risk
- Avoiding exposures that could lead to declined claims
Can subcontractors be included under my insurance?
That depends on your insurer and how the subcontractors are engaged.
Some insurers allow you to include subcontractors working under your control; others require them to carry their own policy.
We’ll help you:
- Clarify what your current insurer allows
- Decide whether to include or exclude subcontractors
- Adjust policy structure to avoid affecting your liability exposure or claims history
Are our tools and equipment covered in vehicles or trailers?
Not by default. Most policies exclude theft from open-air or unattended vehicles unless additional cover is arranged.
We’ll help ensure your tailored cover includes:
- Theft from utes, trailers, or lockable toolboxes
- Fire, storm, and accidental damage
- Protection for high-value tools, gear, and arborist-specific equipment
- Transit cover for work conducted across multiple locations
We’ll also help correctly list your gear and structure the policy to reduce any claim disputes.
Is tree removal and stump grinding covered?
Only if these activities are listed under your declared business operations.
We ensure that:
- All operational services (e.g. tree removal, stump grinding, vegetation clearing) are included in your tree service Liability Insurance policy
- Tools and plants such as grinders, chippers, and EWPs are noted
- High-risk vegetation work is properly endorsed
- Your Certificate of Currency reflects the full scope of work required by councils or contractors
Not all policies automatically include this. We ensure your cover accurately reflects how your business operates.
What is a project-specific endorsement, and do I need one?
A project-specific endorsement is a formal adjustment to your insurance policy that aligns it with the unique requirements of a particular contract or job.
You may need one if you’re working under a council, civil, or commercial contract that includes non-standard insurance terms, such as naming a principal contractor, extending liability clauses, or adjusting limits specifically for that site.
We help arborist businesses by:
- Reviewing the contract or scope of work
- Identifying where a project-specific endorsement is required
- Liaising with underwriters to make the necessary changes
- Ensuring the final Certificate of Currency reflects all contract terms
- Providing supporting documentation for submission or site access
Project-specific endorsements are common when working on infrastructure projects, vegetation clearance near powerlines, or anything involving joint ventures and public-sector clients. They help ensure you’re not just insured, you’re compliant.
Let’s Get You Covered So You Can Get Back Up the Tree
Starting a new council job? Need paperwork sorted for stump grinding or roadside clearing? We’ll handle your arborist insurance so you can stay focused on the job, not chasing Certs.
- Fast quotes and same-day Certificates of Currency
- Real humans and ex-tradies who speak your language, not broker-speak
- Cover tailored for tree work, plant hire, height risk and subbies
- We make sure your paperwork lines up with council, civil and contractor requirements
Looking for a Broker Who Understands Arborist Contracts Inside and Out?
As your arborist business grows, so does the complexity, tighter contract requirements, higher-risk scopes, and greater pressure to stay compliant across every site. Standard policies often fall short when you’re working with government clients, hired plant, or multi-crew teams.
We build tailored insurance programs for arborist businesses that:
- Deliver services under council, civil, or infrastructure contracts
- Manage internal staff, subcontractors, and operational risk across multiple sites
- Use elevated work platforms, hired-in machinery, and specialised equipment
- Need clear, responsive claims support with minimal business disruption
- Don’t have time for retail-grade cover, vague advice, or brokers unfamiliar with vegetation and clearance work
Talk to an Insurance Broker Who Gets Tree Work
We make it simple. No hold music. No confusing clauses. Just proper insurance for tree contractors who climb, grind, and get the job done. Fill out a quick form, or give us a ring, so we know the scope of your work, and we’ll sort the rest.
Talk to an Arborist Insurance Specialist
When you’re managing multiple teams, subcontractors, high-risk sites, and contract obligations, basic arborist insurance isn’t enough. You need a tailored insurance program that reflects how your business operates across scopes, projects, and jurisdictions.
With All Trades Cover, you get:
- Strategic, fit-for-purpose cover for arboriculture and vegetation management
- Fast turnaround on site access documentation and contract compliance
- Ongoing support that goes beyond policy placement
We work with growing arborist businesses to build coordinated insurance programs that meet council and civil requirements, support operational continuity, and stand up when it counts.