NEXT, The Hartford and Nationwide earned our top spots for the best small business insurer for tree service companies because of their excellent customer service and comprehensive coverage. However, we recommend comparing quotes from our other top picks, including Thimble.
Best Tree Service Business Insurance
Updated: July 14, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
NEXT, The Hartford and Nationwide are tied as the best business insurance companies for tree service contractors because of their excellent customer service and comprehensive coverage.
The cheapest overall commercial insurance provider for tree service businesses is Thimble, with low monthly rates for various coverage types.
To shop for business insurance for your tree service business, assess the risks in your industry, consult agents and other similar organizations and compare multiple options.
Best Business Insurance for Tree Service Companies
| NEXT Insurance | 93 | 92 | 94 |
| The Hartford | 93 | 93 | 91 |
| Nationwide | 93 | 93 | 91 |
| Thimble | 91 | 98 | 81 |
| biBERK | 91 | 92 | 91 |
| Coverdash | 88 | 87 | 83 |
| Chubb | 88 | 85 | 87 |
| Progressive Commercial | 87 | 90 | 81 |
| Hiscox | 87 | 88 | 87 |
| Simply Business | 85 | 80 | 83 |
*All scores were based on a tree-service business with two employees across professional liability, general liability, workers' comp and BOP policies.
1. NEXT
pros
Exceptional customer service rating
Strong all-around coverage pricing
Fast, online policy management
cons
Limited options for large-scale tree removal
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
NEXT takes the top spot for tree service companies because of its excellent customer satisfaction and competitive pricing across all major policies. With a 4.7‑out‑of‑5 rating, it’s especially well-suited for owner-operators or small teams handling residential tree work.
NEXT’s streamlined digital experience makes quoting, purchasing, and managing policies easy from any device. While coverage may be less customizable for high-risk or multi-crew operations, its speed and reliability make it a standout.
2. The Hartford
pros
Cheapest professional liability pricing
Strong financial strength and reputation
Excellent for commercial contracts
cons
Slower quote process than newer carriers
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
The Hartford works well for tree care professionals who need dependable coverage and industry credibility. It offers the lowest-cost professional liability insurance in our analysis, critical protection when damage occurs during pruning, removal, or consulting.
Backed by an A+ from AM Best, The Hartford works well for established businesses that bid on commercial jobs or work near power lines. Its legacy systems aren’t the quickest, but its coverage quality and claims support are among the best.
3. Nationwide
pros
Strong pricing for general liability
Reputable nationwide service network
Good fit for mid-size tree companies
cons
Limited online policy tools
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Nationwide works well for growing tree care businesses that want a reliable, name-brand carrier. It ranks second for general liability affordability and provides consistent customer service across all 50 states.
With a wide agent network, it's especially helpful for companies managing several vehicles or crews. Though its online tools aren't as robust as digital-first competitors, Nationwide's scale and experience make it a solid long-term choice.
Cheapest Business Insurance for Tree Service Firms
Based on our study of business insurance pricing, Thimble offers the cheapest overall commercial insurance for tree service companies across most policy types. However, this applies only to tree service companies with two employees, and you may find lower rates elsewhere. Below are the most affordable providers by major coverage types.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance for Tree Service Companies
With an average monthly rate of $49, Thimble offers the lowest-cost general liability insurance for tree service companies. Even so, consider getting quotes from the next-most-affordable insurers: Nationwide and biBerk.
| Thimble | $49 | $590 |
| Nationwide | $86 | $1,035 |
| biBERK | $107 | $1,285 |
| The Hartford | $110 | $1,320 |
| NEXT Insurance | $111 | $1,327 |
| Progressive Commercial | $132 | $1,588 |
| Hiscox | $145 | $1,738 |
| Coverdash | $159 | $1,908 |
| Chubb | $163 | $1,955 |
| Simply Business | $257 | $3,088 |
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance for Tree Service Companies
For tree service businesses shopping for workers' comp insurance, Thimble tops our list as the most affordable insurer, with average rates of $95 per month or $1,135 yearly.
However, you may find more affordable rates with Progressive Commercial, Simply Business, Hiscox and The Hartford.
| Thimble | $95 | $1,135 |
| Progressive Commercial | $102 | $1,224 |
| Simply Business | $105 | $1,264 |
| Hiscox | $106 | $1,268 |
| The Hartford | $107 | $1,287 |
| Coverdash | $108 | $1,298 |
| NEXT Insurance | $110 | $1,322 |
| biBERK | $111 | $1,336 |
| Nationwide | $119 | $1,425 |
| Chubb | $127 | $1,528 |
Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance for Tree Service Companies
The Hartford offers the most affordable professional liability insurance options for tree service companies, with low average monthly rates of $68. You may also want to compare prices from other low-cost providers like NEXT, Progressive Commercial and Thimble.
| The Hartford | $68 | $813 |
| NEXT Insurance | $70 | $841 |
| Progressive Commercial | $72 | $867 |
| Thimble | $73 | $881 |
| Hiscox | $75 | $899 |
| Simply Business | $75 | $894 |
| Coverdash | $76 | $915 |
| biBERK | $78 | $933 |
| Nationwide | $81 | $976 |
| Chubb | $88 | $1,056 |
Cheapest BOP Insurance for Tree Service Companies
Thimble provides the most affordable business owner's policy (BOP) coverage for tree service companies, with an average yearly cost of $907 for bundled general liability and property protection. That’s a savings of roughly $646 annually compared to Nationwide, the second most affordable option.
| Thimble | $76 | $907 |
| Nationwide | $129 | $1,553 |
| biBERK | $140 | $1,679 |
| The Hartford | $140 | $1,682 |
| NEXT Insurance | $160 | $1,919 |
| Progressive Commercial | $200 | $2,399 |
| Hiscox | $217 | $2,607 |
| Coverdash | $231 | $2,775 |
| Chubb | $244 | $2,924 |
| Simply Business | $385 | $4,624 |
What Type of Coverage Do You Need for a Tree Service Business?
Most companies with employees are legally required to carry workers' comp insurance, and businesses with vehicles must have commercial auto coverage. Many clients or contracts also require businesses to carry general liability insurance before starting work. You might also need a surety bond in certain industries, especially when contracts require guarantees of service or compliance.
RECOMMENDED TREE SERVICE BUSINESS COVERAGE
Tree service companies should carry general liability insurance because it covers common risks like bodily injury, property damage and legal defense costs. Professional liability insurance also helps businesses that work under client contracts or provide specialized services. It's particularly helpful for tree service businesses with commercial contracts or high-risk jobs, like power line work, storm cleanup or large removals.
How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance for Your Tree Service Company
Here's a step-by-step method for finding the best and cheapest business insurance for your tree-service company.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs before buying
Think about what could go wrong in your tree service business, get advice from similar businesses, talk to agents and research the types of business insurance. This will give you a balanced perspective on your coverage needs and prevent you from being convinced to get excessive coverage.
- 2
Research costs
Research average costs for your business profile and find which providers offer the cheapest rates overall. This helps you see how much you're saving when comparing quotes and which companies to start with.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
Research what customers say on online rating sites and forums for a better look at company services. Also, research coverage options to make sure you're covered for what you need now and as your business grows.
- 4
Compare multiple quotes through different means
The best way to find a good deal is to compare multiple quotes for the same coverage. Pricing differs by your comparison method, whether with captive agents, comparison sites, company websites or independent agents.
- 5
Reassess annually
Your business situation will change, influencing your rates and coverage needs. Repeat these steps annually to ensure you still have the best deal.
How to Decrease Your Tree Service Business's Liability Risk
Reducing risks helps tree service businesses keep insurance costs down. We've organized risk mitigation strategies by business type and risk tier to help you find the best fit for your needs.
Tree Service Business Risk Type | Included Types of Tree Service Businesses | Risk Mitigation Tactics |
|---|---|---|
Highest | Crane-assisted removals, storm cleanup, power line clearance | Require ISA certification and utility clearance training. Use ANSI Z133 standards for chainsaw and rigging work. Conduct daily site briefings, pre-climb inspections, and enforce aerial rescue readiness. Maintain written protocols for weather and electrical hazard response. |
Moderately High | Large tree felling, stump grinding, commercial lot clearing | Train on directional felling and equipment safety. Use PPE (chaps, helmets, eye and ear protection). Establish drop zones and barricades. Ensure equipment inspections and signed site prep checklists. |
Moderate | Residential trimming, aesthetic pruning, mid-size removals | Provide training in tree biology and weight distribution. Use ladder and harness safety procedures. Get signed client agreements outlining scope and potential property impacts. Use visual walk-throughs before and after jobs. |
Moderately Low | Hedge shaping, brush clearing, minor limb removal | Use electric equipment where possible to reduce fuel and fire risk. Keep updated MSDS sheets for any herbicide use. Train workers on terrain safety and heat-related illness prevention. |
Lowest | Tree consulting, arborist reporting, risk assessments | Maintain professional liability insurance. Use detailed written reports and photo documentation. Avoid speculative advice without site inspection. Get signed acknowledgments for findings and limitations. |
Best Insurance for Tree Service Business: Bottom Line
NEXT is the best insurer for tree service business insurance, while Thimble offers the cheapest option overall. We also recommend getting quotes from The Hartford, Nationwide and biBerk. For the best deal, talk to agents, research providers and pricing, and compare multiple quotes side by side.
Tree Service Business Insurance: FAQ
Below, we answer common questions about insurance for tree service businesses.
Who offers the best tree service business insurance overall?
NEXT, The Hartford, and Nationwide provide the best business insurance for tree service firms, achieving an impressive MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100, thanks to their high customer service ratings.
Who has the cheapest business insurance for tree service companies?
Here are the cheapest business insurance companies for tree service companies by coverage type:
- Cheapest general liability insurance: Thimble at $49 per month
- Cheapest workers' comp insurance: Thimble at $95 per month
- Cheapest professional liability insurance: The Hartford at $68 per month
- Cheapest BOP insurance: Thimble at $76 per month
What business insurance is required for tree service organizations?
You need workers' compensation insurance if you have employees and commercial auto insurance if you own business vehicles, with requirements that vary by state. While not legally mandated, most commercial clients and property leases require general liability insurance and surety bonds.
How much does tree service business insurance cost?
Business insurance costs for tree service companies vary based on risk level, services offered, and team size. Below are average monthly costs for essential coverage types:
- General liability: $132 per month
- Workers comp: $109 per month
- Professional liability: $76 per month
- BOP insurance: $192 per month
How We Chose the Best Tree Service Business Insurance
We selected the best business insurer for tree-service companies based on the following criteria:
- Affordability (50% of score): The lower a company's costs compared to the competition based on our base profile for four core coverage types, the better it performs.
- Customer service (30% of score): We scored providers on overall customer satisfaction using industry studies, customer review forum ratings and public forum sentiment analysis from sites like Reddit.
- Coverage (15% of score): We scored business insurance for this category based on the flexibility, payment and actual coverage options.
- Financial stability (5% of score): Using financial stability industry ratings from companies like AM Best and Moody's, we created an overall rating to judge how likely a company is to pay out claims compared to the competition.
All pricing in this article is based on the following base profile to represent the vast majority of small businesses in all states:
- Three-person business with two employees
- Coverage: $1 million per occurrence and $2 million total per year for all but BOP, which includes the same coverage plus $5,000 of business property coverage
- $150,000 in payroll
- $300,000 annual revenue
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
sources
- AM Best. "Hartford Fire Insurance Company." Accessed June 16, 2025.
- NEXT. "Customer Reviews." Accessed June 16, 2025.