Arborist Insurance

Quick, easy, and affordable insurance for arborists

Get quick, affordable quotes for recommended insurance types including: 

  • Public Liability Insurance
  • General Property Insurance 
  • Personal Accident Insurance 
  • Professional Indemnity Insurance
  • Tax Audit Insurance
  • Workers Compensation Insurance (if employing staff)
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Instant, Affordable Cover

20+ Years of Experience

270k+ Businesses Covered

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Recommended Insurance for Arborists to Consider

Public Liability is the number one policy required on most worksites. It covers claims for accidental injury or property damage caused by your work.

Why Arborists Need It

Tree removal, pruning, stump grinding, and working at height all carry risk. If a falling branch damages a roof, a tree hits a fence, or debris injures a bystander, you could face a costly claim. Public Liability protects you when things do not go to plan.

What It Covers

  • Accidental injury to other people
  • Accidental damage to property
  • Legal fees and claims costs
  • Cover required for most residential and commercial sites

Who It Suits

  • Sole traders
  • Subcontractors
  • Small arborist and tree surgery businesses
  • Arborists working on residential, commercial, or council jobs

Your tools and equipment are essential to your work. General Property Insurance protects them against theft, loss, or accidental damage, whether on site, in transit, or stored in your vehicle.

Common Items Covered

  • Chainsaws and pole saws
  • Wood chippers and stump grinders
  • Climbing gear, ropes, harnesses, and rigging equipment
  • Hand tools and power tools
  • Toolboxes and equipment stored in utes or trucks

Why Arborists Rely On It

Arborist equipment is high-risk for theft and damage, especially when left on site or in vehicles overnight. Replacing specialised tools out of pocket can be expensive and delay jobs. Tools cover helps you replace essential equipment quickly so you can keep working.

If an injury or illness stops you from working, Personal Accident Insurance provides weekly income replacement. This is especially important for arborists, as climbing, cutting, and working at height increase the risk of strains, falls, and serious site injuries.

What It Covers

  • Weekly income replacement
  • Cover for work-related and non-work injuries
  • Optional illness cover
  • Lump-sum benefits depending on the level selected

Why Arborists Need It

If you cannot climb, cut, or operate equipment, you cannot earn. This cover helps keep money coming in so you can pay bills and focus on recovery without added financial stress.

While arborists work primarily hands-on, many also provide advice or recommendations. If a client claims your advice caused financial loss, Professional Indemnity Insurance can protect you.

Examples

  • Providing tree health or risk assessments
  • Advising on pruning methods or tree removal options
  • Recommending planting locations or species selection
  • Preparing reports for councils, strata, or property managers

If your work includes advisory or reporting components, this cover adds an extra layer of protection for your business.

If you employ staff, Workers Compensation Insurance is required by law. It covers wages and medical costs for employees injured on the job.

For sole traders, subcontractors, and owner-operators, this is usually not required unless hiring workers.

The Australian Tax Office can audit any contractor. Tax Audit Insurance covers the cost of your accountant’s fees if you are audited.

What It Includes

  • Accountant fees
  • Bookkeeping review costs
  • Responses to ATO queries

A small cost that can save thousands at tax time.

How Much Does Arborist Insurance Cost?

Total Premium = Policy Type + Turnover + Risk Level + Claims History

Your final price depends on the type of arborist work you perform, whether you work at height, the value of your tools and equipment, your chosen liability limit, and whether you add personal accident or workers compensation cover. We arrange cover Australia-wide.

Lower-Risk Arborist Work

(e.g. basic pruning, hedge trimming, ground-based tree work, small residential jobs)

Typical public liability from $500–$1,000 per year

Higher-Risk Arborist Work

(e.g. large tree removals, climbing and rigging, chainsaw work at height, commercial or council contracts)

Typical public liability from $1,000–$3,000+ per year

These figures are general estimates only. Your premium is tailored to your arborist activities, equipment value, height exposure, liability requirements, and optional accident or workers compensation cover. Contact us for a fast, obligation-free quote.

Why Choose Our Contractor Insurance Experts?

We know contractors need reliable cover without the hassle. That is why over 270,000 Aussie small businesses trust us.

  • Contractor-Specific Knowledge: Our brokers understand tradie risks and jobs. Get faster service, practical advice, and cover that suits your work. Check plumbers insurance or electrician insurance.
  • Simple and Fast: Grab a quote online, set up cover, and get documents in minutes. Want to chat? Our team picks up the phone.
  • Backed by Experience: We are part of Elliott Insurance Brokers with over 20 years helping contractors. Enjoy personal service with solid support.
  • Sustainable and Ethical: As a carbon-neutral business, we look after the planet while protecting your crew.
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Our Quick & Easy Quoting Process

Arranging arborist insurance is fast and straightforward with Contractor Cover. Follow these steps to protect your income in minutes.

1

Tell Us About Your Work

Complete our short online form with details about your occupation, income, and the level of cover you want to arrange.

2

Compare Quotes or Speak With a Broker

Review available cover options online or speak with one of our Australian-based brokers to compare quotes, benefit periods, and policy features in plain language.

3

Arrange Your Cover

Once approved, your policy can be put in place quickly, with documents issued so you can get back to work knowing your income is protected.

Note: Cover is subject to policy terms, conditions, exclusions, and insurer acceptance.
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About Us

Contractor Cover broker shaking a contractor's hand

Contractor Cover is the one-stop insurance shop for contractors across Australia.

We understand that contractors require targeted business insurance which offers both value for money and optimal cover. With that in mind, we’ve packaged the most common insurances the average contractor needs into a single policy. This means that you don’t need to waste your time contending with multiple policies – everything you need is included in one convenient package.

Speak with our team today for more information or fill in our easy online quote form.

270k+ businesses covered

20+ years of experience

Instant, affordable cover

FAQs

Public liability insurance helps protect you if your work accidentally injures someone or damages property. This is the most commonly requested insurance for glaziers, contractors, and subcontractors working on residential or commercial sites.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Accidental damage to client property during installation or removal
  • Injury to customers, tenants, or members of the public
  • Legal, defence, and investigation expenses
  • Claims that arise from on-site activities

General property insurance helps protect your tools and equipment if they are lost, stolen, or damaged. This is especially important for contractors who store tools in vehicles or move between multiple job sites.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Theft from locked vehicles or secure sites
  • Accidental damage to tools and equipment
  • Repair or replacement of essential items
  • Portable equipment protection across Australia

Professional indemnity insurance helps protect you if a client claims your advice, design input, or professional service caused them a financial loss.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Allegations of incorrect advice or measurements
  • Claims related to specifications or design recommendations
  • Legal and defence costs
  • Compensation resulting from professional errors

Personal accident insurance provides income support if you cannot work due to injury or illness. This is especially valuable for sole traders who rely on continuous work to maintain their income.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Weekly income payments during recovery
  • Specified injury lump-sum benefits
  • Optional illness protection
  • Support after workplace or non-workplace incidents

Tax audit insurance helps protect you from the professional fees incurred when responding to an ATO audit. Even compliant businesses can be selected at random.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Accountant and bookkeeper costs
  • Audit preparation and lodgement support
  • Assistance responding to ATO information requests
  • Ongoing guidance throughout the audit

Workers compensation insurance helps protect employees who suffer a work-related injury or illness. This insurance is mandatory for employers in most states and territories.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Medical treatment and hospital expenses
  • Rehabilitation and recovery support
  • Partial wage replacement while the worker is off the job
  • Return-to-work planning and assistance

Several factors impact how much contractors pay for insurance. Insurers assess your risk level and the nature of your work to determine your premium.

Key influences include:

  • Trade type and the risk involved
  • Turnover and business size
  • Number of subcontractors or employees
  • Value of tools and equipment
  • Claims history
  • Chosen liability limit and policy options

You should review your insurance at least once a year, or any time your business changes. A quick review helps ensure you remain properly protected.

Common triggers include:

  • Taking on larger or more complex jobs
  • Hiring or removing workers
  • Increasing your turnover
  • Buying new tools or equipment
  • Expanding into commercial work

We take your privacy seriously. Your information is stored securely and used only to provide insurance services, issue documents, manage claims, or support your policy. You may view a copy of our full privacy policy at any time, and we are happy to explain how your information is handled.

Meet Your Insurance Team

At Contractor Cover, we’re proud to have a dedicated executive team that brings decades of experience, strategic insight, and an unwavering commitment to supporting Australian contractors. 

John Elliott

CEO

Rachael Milne

Chief Financial Officer

Kristofer Wright

Head of Technology

Tim Stingers

Insurance Broking Team Leader