Tree work has a higher fatality rate than almost any other residential trade — and the most common source of serious injury and property damage is work done by uninsured, undertrained operators using inadequate equipment near structures and power lines. The insurance and safety questions aren’t bureaucratic formalities. They are the primary protection between you and a potentially devastating outcome.

“The insurance question is where I lose the fly-by-night competition most of the time. A qualified tree service carries $5 million in liability and has a workers’ compensation coverage Clearance Certificate that verifies in 30 seconds online. An uninsured operator can’t show you either of those things. When a homeowner insists on seeing both documents before any work begins, they’ve immediately filtered out the operators who represent the most risk.”

— Tomasz Kwiatkowski, ISA Certified Arborist and tree risk assessment qualified practitioner with 20 years of experience in residential and municipal tree management in the local area

Insurance Questions

Arborist uses a chainsaw to cut a tree.

What are the specific coverage amounts on your liability policy?

For residential tree work, the coverage amounts matter:

Near structures (house, garage, fence): A minimum of $2 million general liability coverage. For any tree work directly over or adjacent to a structure, $5 million is the more appropriate standard.

Near power lines: Coverage at least $5 million. Some insurance policies specifically exclude power line incidents — ask whether your policy covers incidents involving utilities.

Ask to see the declarations page of the insurance certificate — this shows the policy limits, not just confirmation that a policy exists.

Is the certificate of insurance current, and does it cover the dates of my project?

Certificates of insurance have expiry dates. Ask the company to provide a current certificate — dated within the last year — that covers the specific dates your work will be performed. A certificate from 18 months ago on a policy that’s since been canceled protects nobody.

Will your company be named as an additional insured on the certificate for my project?

For significant tree work, ask whether you can be named as an additional insured on the liability certificate for the duration of the work. This gives you direct rights under the policy if a claim arises.

Is the workers’ compensation coverage Clearance Certificate current?

A workers’ compensation coverage Clearance Certificate confirms that the company is registered with workers’ compensation coverage and has no outstanding premiums — meaning workers injured on your property are covered by workers’ compensation coverage and cannot pursue you personally for medical costs and income replacement.

Verify the certificate yourself at your workers’ compensation board’s website — don’t rely on a printout the company provides without checking it independently.

Are subcontracted workers covered?

Some tree companies subcontract portions of the work — a company may bring in a separate ground crew, a separate chipper truck, or a separate stump grinder operator. Ask whether all workers and subcontractors on your property are covered under the company’s liability and workers’ compensation coverage, or whether they carry separate verified coverage.

Safety Protocol Questions

Firefighter in protective gear using chainsaw to cut tree branches outdoors.

What is your policy for working near power lines?

In many regions, working within the established safe approach distance of power lines requires:

  • Notification to the utility (Hydro One or local distribution company) before work begins
  • Qualified workers trained for work in proximity to energized conductors
  • For work within 1 meter of energized distribution lines: the utility must de-energize, ground, or insulate the conductors

Ask specifically: how close to power lines will your crew be working, and what is your protocol for utility notification and coordination?

What a good answer looks like: A described utility notification process, with the crew remaining outside the established safe distance unless lines have been de-energized or properly insulated.

What a red flag looks like: “We’ve worked near power lines before, it’s fine.” No mention of utility coordination.

What personal protective equipment (PPE) does your crew use?

For tree work, standard PPE includes:

  • Chainsaw-resistant chaps: Required when operating a chainsaw, protecting the legs from laceration
  • Helmet with face shield: Required for all crew in the work zone
  • Hearing protection: Required when running chainsaws
  • Eye protection: Required for all operations
  • Climbing harness and saddle: For climbing operations
  • Rigging equipment: Ropes, blocks, and hardware rated for the loads involved

Ask specifically whether chainsaw chaps are worn by all ground crew operating saws, and whether helmets are required for all crew in the work zone.

What training do your ground crew and climbers have?

Ask specifically about training beyond ISA Certified Arborist status:

ISA Tree Worker Specialist: A credential for climbers demonstrating advanced climbing and rigging skills.

TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualified): Specifically for hazard tree assessment.

First Aid/CPR: Given the injury risk in tree work, ask whether crew members hold current first aid certification.

Chainsaw safety training: Ask whether crew have completed formal chainsaw safety training (not just on-the-job experience).

What is the plan if something goes wrong?

Ask the company: what is your emergency response protocol if a worker is injured on site? Who calls 911, who manages the scene, and how quickly can emergency services access the work area?

Questions About Equipment

Is your equipment rated for the size of tree being removed?

Removing a large tree requires equipment rated for the loads involved — rigging hardware, ropes, and pulleys with appropriate working load limits for the weight of sections being lowered. Ask whether the company has assessed the weight of sections to be removed and confirmed their rigging hardware is rated accordingly.

Do you use a chipper, and is it maintained?

A commercial wood chipper is essential for debris processing. Ask whether a chipper is part of the crew’s equipment and whether it’s regularly maintained. A poorly maintained chipper is a significant safety hazard.

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