FULLY INSURED TULSA TREE SERVICE

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, also known as “Green Country,” there are a lot of tree services to choose from.  One of the most important things to look for when hiring a tree service to work on your property is whether the tree service is fully insured.  Tree services often advertise or claim that they are “fully insured,” but what does it really mean to be fully insured?

In Oklahoma, every tree service should have at least both liability and workers’ compensation insurance.  Liability insurance provides coverage in the event of property damage and workers’ compensation insurance covers medical and rehabilitation costs and wage replacement of employees if they’re injured on the job.  A business is not fully insured unless it carries BOTH liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

In Oklahoma, tree services are not required to have liability insurance, but it is highly recommended.  Tree crews often trim and remove trees that are very close to or over homes and other property and a tree service with liability insurance is covered should property damage occur.

When it comes to workers’ compensation, generally, every business with employees is required by law to have coverage.  Many tree services claim that they do not need workers’ compensation because they use “subcontractors” instead of employees.  You should be cautious of tree services that make this claim.  While a business is not required to provide workers’ compensation coverage for a true subcontractor, many employees are intentionally mislabeled as “subcontractors.”  A true subcontractor sets his own hours, does business for multiple companies, uses his own tools or equipment, and typically, does not wear the clothing or uniform of the contractor company.  Even if a tree service uses true subcontractors and thus does not have workers’ compensation coverage, you, as a property owner, may still be subject to liability if the owner(s) of the tree service or a subcontractor of the tree service is injured on your property.

Unfortunately, the tree care industry has one of the highest workers’ compensation rates of any industry and for that reason, many tree services do not have it.  In Oklahoma, even a tree service with no accidents or claims can be subject to rates as high as 30 percent!  Tree work can be dangerous.  It involves the constant use of chainsaws, extreme heights, and heavy equipment.  The risk for injury is higher than in most other industries and having workers’ compensation coverage is extremely important.  A tree service that invests in and maintains workers’ compensation coverage values its employees and customers by making safety a priority and is a tree service you can trust because it doesn’t cut corners.