Occurrence Form

An occurrence-form policy is the gold standard for tree service companies. It protects you against claims stemming from any covered event that happens while the policy is in force — even if the injured party does not file a lawsuit until years later. For example, if your crew removes a tree in March 2025 and the root ball shifts a retaining wall that does not crack until 2027, an occurrence policy active in March 2025 would respond to that claim.

This is a significant advantage over claims-made policies, which only cover claims both occurring and reported during the policy period (or within a specified window). Most commercial general liability policies for tree services are written on an occurrence basis, but you should always confirm. Some excess and surplus lines carriers may try to place coverage on a claims-made form to reduce their exposure.

The practical benefit for tree service owners is peace of mind after retirement or business closure. If you carried occurrence-form coverage throughout your operating years, you do not need to purchase extended reporting period coverage (tail coverage) when you stop working. The old policies continue to respond to claims from incidents that happened during their respective terms.

When reviewing your policy, look for the words "occurrence form" on the declarations page or in the coverage form number (e.g., CG 00 01 is the standard ISO occurrence form for commercial general liability).