# Tree Surgeon Insurance: What to Ask For and How to Check It

> Public liability, employers' liability and professional indemnity explained in plain English, with the minimum levels to look for and what North London firms say they carry.

Source: https://northlondontreesurgeons.com/guides/tree-surgeon-insurance-what-to-check/ · Published 2026-09-05 · Updated 2026-09-05 · By North London Tree Surgeons

Tree work can go wrong in expensive ways. A branch through a neighbour's roof. A fence flattened. A worker hurt on your property. Insurance is what stands between you and that bill. Every firm says it is "fully insured". This guide explains what to ask for and how to check.

## The three types of cover

**Public liability.** Pays if the firm damages property or injures someone who is not an employee. This is the one that protects you and your neighbours. Look for at least £5 million.

**Employers' liability.** Pays if a worker is hurt. Any firm with employees must have this by law in the UK. Sole traders working alone may not.

**Professional indemnity.** Pays if the firm's advice is wrong. Matters if you are buying a tree report or survey, not just cutting.

## What the trade body requires

The Arboricultural Association requires ARB Approved Contractors to hold a minimum of £5 million public liability cover with a maximum excess of £250 per incident, plus employers' and professional indemnity insurance where applicable. ([Why should I use an ARB Approved Contractor?](https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/Why-should-I-use-an-ARB-Approved-Contractor)) That is a good benchmark for any firm, approved or not.

## What North London firms say they carry

These figures are from the firms' own websites, checked on 5 September 2026. They are claims, not verified facts. Ask for the certificate.

| Firm | Stated cover |
|---|---|
| Custom Cutters | £10m employers' liability, £5m public and products liability, £1.5m professional indemnity ([source](https://www.customcutters.co.uk/)) |
| North London Tree Surgeons | £10m public and employer liability ([source](https://northlondontreesurgeons.co.uk/)) |
| M. Parkin Tree Specialists | £10m third-party public liability ([source](https://tree-specialists.com/)) |
| Clear Cut Trees | Insured up to £10m ([source](https://www.clearcuttrees.co.uk/)) |
| LG Trees | £5m public liability, £10m employers' liability ([source](https://lgtrees.co.uk/)) |
| Tree Matters | Employer and public liability up to £5m; certificate downloadable ([source](https://www.treematters.co.uk/)) |
| Artemis Tree Services | "Full public liability insurance", no amount stated ([source](https://www.artemistreeservices.com/)) |
| Denny's Tree Surgery | "Fully insured", no amount stated ([source](https://www.dennystreesurgery.com/)) |

Some directory sites check insurance for you. TrustATrader profiles we looked at showed the insurer's name and an "insurance verified through" date. A1 Town & Country's profile showed cover verified to 1 April 2026; Trees A Crowd's showed cover verified to 3 July 2026. ([A1 profile](https://www.trustatrader.com/traders/a1-town-country-ltd-tree-surgeons-hertsmere), [Trees A Crowd profile](https://www.trustatrader.com/traders/trees-a-crowd-london-tree-surgeons-en1-en2-and-en6)) Note those dates may have passed. Check the profile for the current one.

## How to check a certificate in two minutes

1. Ask for the certificate by email before you accept the quote.
2. Check the insured name matches the firm on your quote. Trading names and limited company names should line up.
3. Check the policy dates cover your job.
4. Check the public liability limit. £5 million is the benchmark.
5. Look for exclusions. Some policies exclude work above a set height or work with certain machinery.
6. If in doubt, call the broker named on the certificate.

## Questions to ask

- "Can you email me your public liability certificate?"
- "Does your policy cover working at height and chainsaw use?"
- "Do you have employees, and do you hold employers' liability?"
- "If you give me a written report, do you hold professional indemnity?"

A real firm answers these without fuss.

## Frequently asked questions

### What insurance should a tree surgeon have?

Public liability of at least £5 million is the benchmark used by the Arboricultural Association. Firms with staff must also hold employers' liability. Firms giving written advice should hold professional indemnity.

### Can I rely on "fully insured" on a website?

No. Ask for the certificate and check the name, dates and limit.

### Does my home insurance cover damage by a tree surgeon?

Sometimes, but you would claim on your own policy and may lose your no-claims discount. The firm's public liability should be the first line of defence.

## Sources

- [Arboricultural Association: Why should I use an ARB Approved Contractor?](https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/Why-should-I-use-an-ARB-Approved-Contractor)
- [Custom Cutters](https://www.customcutters.co.uk/)
- [North London Tree Surgeons](https://northlondontreesurgeons.co.uk/)
- [M. Parkin Tree Specialists](https://tree-specialists.com/)
- [Clear Cut Trees](https://www.clearcuttrees.co.uk/)
- [LG Trees](https://lgtrees.co.uk/)
- [Tree Matters](https://www.treematters.co.uk/)
- [Artemis Tree Services](https://www.artemistreeservices.com/)
- [Denny's Tree Surgery](https://www.dennystreesurgery.com/)
- [TrustATrader: A1 Town & Country Ltd](https://www.trustatrader.com/traders/a1-town-country-ltd-tree-surgeons-hertsmere)
- [TrustATrader: Trees A Crowd Ltd](https://www.trustatrader.com/traders/trees-a-crowd-london-tree-surgeons-en1-en2-and-en6)