Overview — Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc. Tree Trimmers Insurance
Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc. offers a specialized Tree Trimmers Insurance program designed for agents placing tree care and arborist risks. This program provides both property and liability solutions on a mono-line or packaged basis for insureds whose primary operations are planting, transplanting, pruning, fertilizing, applying pesticides/herbicides, bracing, and removing trees. It is not intended for logging, lumbering, or large-scale land-clearing operations.
Policy Highlights
The program combines flexible property options with robust commercial general liability and ancillary coverages tailored to tree care contractors. Coverages are available through admitted markets in select states and non-admitted/Excess & Surplus (E&S) placements where required.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
- Independent tree trimming and pruning contractors serving residential and commercial customers
- Arborists who provide transplanting, fertilization, bracing, cabling, and tree removal services
- Companies that apply pesticides/herbicides as part of tree care (pesticide applicator coverage available)
- Operations that own and use contractor’s equipment, bucket trucks, and specialty tools
The program typically favors small- to mid-sized operations with standard tree care exposures. Risks primarily involved in logging, sawmill operations, or heavy land clearing are outside the appetite.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Property coverages: Building, Contents, Accounts Receivable, Business Income, Computer Equipment, Contractor’s Equipment, Outside Signs, Valuable Papers; options for Basic, Broad, or Special forms and Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value settlement.
- Equipment Breakdown: Optional coverage for mechanical and electrical breakdown of covered equipment.
- Commercial General Liability: Primary limits available up to $3,000,000 occurrence/aggregate with Additional Insured options (blanket additional insured available) and Excess/Umbrella limits up to $25,000,000.
- Pollution and pesticide exposures: Pesticide/Herbicide Applicator Coverage included to policy limits; In-Transit Pollution Coverage typically $25,000 per occurrence / $100,000 aggregate.
- Care, custody & control: Property Damage Extension for customer property (examples: care/custody/control) with typical limits of $5,000/$25,000 and the option for higher limits.
- Errors & Omissions: E&O coverage part available to address professional exposures tied to arboricultural advice and services.
- Loss control: Loss prevention brochure and underwriting guidance available to help reduce frequency and severity of claims.
Underwriting Notes and Minimums
Underwriters will evaluate operations, payroll, revenue, equipment values, pesticide application practices, and loss history. Minimum deductibles and underwriting requirements apply; a $1,000 minimum deductible is commonly required. Limits, terms, and availability may vary by state and carrier.
Common declines or referrals: logging/lumbering operations, large tree removal on development/clearing projects, and accounts with repeated severe liability/property losses without demonstrable loss-control improvement.
Territories and Admitted Status
Available in: AZ, CA, CO, ID, NV, NM, UT, WY. Colonial General places business in both admitted and non-admitted markets depending on state and risk characteristics — some admitted markets are available while E&S solutions are provided where needed.
Why Place This Business with Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc.
As a Managing General Agency and E&S broker, Colonial General offers focused underwriting for tree care contractors, flexible limits, packaged options, and access to multiple carriers (varies by state). Agents benefit from specialized underwriting that understands arborist operations, available E&O and pesticide applicator coverages, and loss control resources to help improve renewability and terms.
You can use this program when you have clients that need contractor’s equipment protection, pesticide applicator limits, or higher umbrella limits tied to tree operations and who do not fit standard admitted markets.
Example Accounts
- Small residential tree service with three crews that prune and remove trees, owns two bucket trucks and assorted equipment — seeking general liability, equipment coverage, and business income protection.
- Mid-size arborist firm that provides pesticide treatments and offers consulting/inspections — needs liability with pesticide applicator coverage and an E&O limit for professional exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of tree service businesses are a good fit for this program?
This program targets tree care and arborist contractors whose primary operations include planting, transplanting, pruning, fertilizing, pesticide/herbicide application, bracing, and routine tree removal. It is best for small- to mid-sized residential and commercial tree service firms, not logging or lumbering operations.
Are pesticide and herbicide exposures covered?
Yes. Pesticide/Herbicide Applicator Coverage is available and typically provided to policy limits. Underwriting will review application practices, licensing, and any required state certifications.
What liability limits and excess options are available?
Primary commercial general liability limits are available up to $3,000,000 occurrence/aggregate, with Excess/Umbrella limits up to $25,000,000 depending on carrier capacity and risk characteristics.
Is equipment coverage available for specialized contractor tools and vehicles?
Yes. Contractor’s Equipment coverage is part of the property package. Equipment breakdown, replacement cost options, and in-transit coverage are also available depending on the submitted values and schedule.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.