Can I get tree service insurance with no experience?

Starting a tree service company with no prior experience creates significant challenges in obtaining insurance. Underwriters view new ventures — especially in high-hazard industries like tree care — as elevated risks because there is no claims history to evaluate, no established safety culture, and statistically higher loss ratios in the first few years of operation.

Many admitted (standard market) carriers require a minimum of two to three years of business experience, a clean claims history, and sometimes specific credentials like ISA Certified Arborist certification before they will offer coverage. Some require five years. If you cannot meet these requirements, you will likely need to obtain coverage through the E&S (excess and surplus lines) market, where carriers specialize in risks that standard insurers decline.

E&S coverage for new tree service ventures is available but comes with trade-offs. Premiums will be higher — often 25 to 50 percent more than what an established company with a clean record would pay. Policy terms may be more restrictive, with higher deductibles, lower sublimits, or exclusions for specific activities like crane work or utility line clearance. The coverage is still comprehensive enough to operate legally and meet most client requirements, but it is not as favorable as what the standard market offers.

To improve your insurability as a new company, there are several steps you can take. Obtain ISA Certified Arborist certification, which demonstrates formal knowledge of tree biology, pruning standards, and safety practices. Complete TCIA's Tree Care Safety Professional training. Document any prior experience working for other tree service companies — underwriters may credit this experience even though you did not own the business. Develop a written safety program based on ANSI Z133 standards before you apply for insurance. Purchase quality equipment and maintain it properly. Start with less hazardous services (trimming, pruning) before expanding into removals and crane work.

Your broker should present your application in the most favorable light possible, emphasizing any training, certifications, and safety protocols you have in place. After two to three years of operating with a clean claims history, you should be eligible to transition from the E&S market to the standard market, where coverage is broader and premiums are significantly lower.