We had a policyholder who was recently accused by a client of damaging a brick wall near a tree he worked on. Luckily, the Tree Surgeon had very carefully videoed the whole site on his phone before the work started. Three days after the completion of the works he received a demand for several thousand…
If you have ever wondered why your business insurance costs are going up then read this but be warned it will make your blood boil. A subbie injured himself whilst texting his girlfriend near some equipment. He tripped because he was not looking where he was going as he was too busy arranging his personal…
This is one of our favourite shows and is set in the fantastic Westonbirt Arboretum. Along with the top retailers there will be workshops and competitions, so put the 16th &17th of May in your diary . For further information click on the link below. https://www.trees.org.uk/Training-And-Events/The-ARB-Show
This year’s APF show was fantastic, despite the odd shower. The winner of the Stihl chainsaw was G Egan from Yorkshire. She can be seen in the photo with a big smile after receiving the prize. Congratulations again to her and thank you to everybody who came to see us. We look forward to seeing you…
I hope like us you will be falling silent for 2 minutes at 11am on Monday 11th November to mark the Armistice. Some things are so much more important than work and we will not be answering calls during this period. Please put a reminder on your phone to down tools on Monday morning and…
We are often asked whether people should incorporate and start trading as a Limited Company or remain self-employed as sole traders or partnerships. There are some major advantages to trading as a Limited Company – not least the limitation of liability itself. This can be vital to help you protect your assets if something goes…
The winner of the APF prize draw for the fantastic Stihl MS500i Chainsaw was; G Egan! They have been emailed and we are waiting to hear back. So if you know them please get them to check their emails!
We are at the APF show from Thursday 19th September to Saturday 21st September. Come and visit us on stand L2B and meet some of the team. More importantly, we are holding a free prize draw for a Stihl MS500i Chainsaw and YOU could be the winner! You don’t have to be a customer of…
In order to prevent frivolous allegations of ‘damage’ whilst on site, we are reminding you of the importance of taking photos (or videos) of ‘before’ and ‘after’ when you are on a job. This can be vitally important to defend the ‘You’ve damaged my wall’ allegation that is coming to you soon. A simple video…
The use of drones is fast becoming an essential part of consultants and some contractors work. This in turn has huge implications for your business insurance because many standard liability policies will exclude aviation risks – which drones may well count as. The good news is we can now offer insurance for the use of…
This year’s Arb Show was fantastic, great weather and really busy. The winner of the Stihl chainsaw was Thomas W. He can be seen in the photo with a big smile whilst receiving his prize. Congratulations again to Tom and thank you to everybody who came to see us. We look forward to seeing you…
We are all looking forward to the Arb Show this year and to celebrate we are giving away 20 tickets to this year’s event, via a prize draw. To be entered and have a chance to win a ticket all you have to do is like our post on on Facebook – Free ARB Show Tickets 2024 before…
We regularly get asked the question ‘What level of Public Liability Cover should I have?’. As this type of cover is NOT a legal requirement there isn’t a set minimum required by law. Often you will require a minimum level of cover to get a particular contract, for example with a local authority. This tends to…
I picked up the story on the link below from our friends at the Arb Association – well done to them for publishing this. Firstly, employers must make sure that their staff/subbies are suitably trained and qualified. This can be a minefield when recruiting overseas workers and could mean competent staff are excluded from employment. Another…
This is one of our favourite shows and is set in the fantastic Westonbirt Arboretum. Along with the top retailers there will be workshops and competitions, so put the 17th -18th of May in your diary . For further information click on the link below. https://www.trees.org.uk/The-ARB-Show
The Self-Assessment deadline surely takes the prize. So here is a gentle reminder to make sure that you submit everything and pay your tax bill by midnight on 31st January. The silver lining is of course a big tax bill means you you have earnt load of money. It is comforting to know that the…
I have just heard of another nasty infection from Blackthorn and I have been sent the photo! I don’t want to be graphic, but the hospital had to suck the poison from the joint to avoid a potential amputation. The hospital, which has a specialist skin and joint unit say they have several admissions a…
This caught my eye. Good for the environment, more tree maintenance work and an extra bank holiday!! Click on the link below and see how Kenya is planning for the future. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-67400448
The 11th November this year falls on a Saturday. Whilst we will be shut I know some of you will be working. I am being pressganged into putting up some shelves but I will be stopping everything just before 11 am for the 2 minute silence. Whatever you are doing I hope you will join…
The APF 19 – 21 September 2024 The APF Exhibition is the UK’s largest forestry, woodland, arboriculture, firewood. fencing, trees and timber trade show. It attracts over 320 exhibitors and 23000 visitors. If your a tree surgeon or forestry contactor this is a must. For more information visit https://www.apfexhibition.co.uk/ And the video is the AMAZING…
This one often takes me by surprise, so we thought we’d share a reminder about payments on account for your tax bill, which are due by 31st July. If you are registered for Self-Assessment, check your payment schedule with HMRC and make sure you don’t miss making the correct payment. If you pay late you…
Do you allow your staff smoking breaks or are you allowed them? We heard this week about an employee who noticed that their colleague was taking a smoking break every hour and they complained. That could mean they are working an hour less every single day! It’s almost like they are being rewarded for smoking.…
We have just heard the news that FR Jones & Son has gone into administration. Having known some of the family for several years this is really sad. We know they were very much dedicated to customer service and hope everything is resolved in a way that means people don’t lose out. However, we know…
According to the HSE, there is no upper limit for when it is too hot to work. You have a duty of care to employees/subbies, but how should you implement an effective sun and heat protection policy? Should SPF50 be part of the PPE? What else can you do? Here’s some advice from the BBC…
We are in the middle of nesting season so we thought it was a good time to ask how it affects your business. Are there other areas of your business that you focus on for these months? Or are you doing so well that you can take a three-month break 😉? Some say it doesn’t…
We were really shocked to read in this story on the BBC. 1 in 13 people are unable to work due to injury or health problems! This is a stark reminder to think about how you will pay the bills if you were too injured or too ill to work. Do you have Injury Insurance…
One of our clients has allowed us to share this picture to show how people can break into a purpose made security container. The container was cut using a heavy-duty grinder and items passed out through the hole. We suspect these thieves didn’t hang around, but what more can you do to protect your tools?…
This summer has arrived and we have already had two potential claims for damage to windows caused by strimming. Normally it’s a stone that flicks up and smashes a patio window or door. This is one of the easiest claims to avoid simply by putting boards up in front of the glass. Insurance policy excess…
The extra Bank Holidays for the Coronation mean we now have 3 Mondays off in May. Is this good news for you, or a right royal pain ? Do you have to give your staff the extra days off? And if so, will you be paying them? It’s a complicated subject. It’s not just about…
Good adverting is normally priceless but it turns out, it can also be costly. This subject comes up regularly, but here is another reminder. A contractor put his company logo and contact details all over his van and it looked great. Whilst it said ‘call me if you need some work doing – I am…
To ensure your insurance policy is up to date, you MUST inform insurers if there are any changes to your business such as, but not limited to: If you switched from driving a Ford Fiesta to a new Mercedes and it was stolen, you probably would not be covered if you had not informed your…
When should a subbie be an employee for tax purposes? We are referring to being ‘forced’ to move on to PAYE. There is a lot of chat about this, but unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to this question. The first point to note is that for insurance and health and safety purposes, subbies are…
I have just discussed another Employers’ Liability claim where people have ‘lent’ out their subbies to work for another contractor. The subbie then got injured on ‘someone’ else’s job. The problem arises if you say: ‘go and do that for Max’, you could be seen as having given an ‘instruction’ and it’s a slippery slope from…
The Bad News Unfortunately, in August 2022, Ben, a 32-year-old contractor from Tunbridge Wells, suffered a serious injury at work following an accident with some machinery. This resulted in the amputation of a finger, and he has been unable to work since. Silver Lining Thankfully, Ben had arranged Personal Injury Insurance through us. A few…
If you are thinking about setting up in business, and the idea of going into business as a ‘partnership’ with a friend is appealing – make sure you’ve really thought it through! A partnership is a proper legal partnership that’s registered with HMRC, and not just two friends working together. You may also be referring…
Don’t forget to get your tax return completed in time! The deadline submitting your Self Assessments and making payments is midnight on 31st January 2023. We know it’s one of those annoying jobs. But on the upside – a big bill should mean your business is successful!
The team at Tree Surgeon & Forestry Insurance are looking forward to spending some time away from the office with our families. We will still be available for our customers. Our Christmas opening hours are: Monday 19th December – 9am to 5pmTuesday 20th December – 9am to 5pmWednesday 21st December – 9am to 5pmThursday 22nd…
The Arb Show is back next year on Friday 12th & Saturday 13th May 2023 at the National Arboretum in Westonbirt. Make sure you put the date in your diary. We’ll be there! It is bound to be another brilliant event. Let us know on our Facebook post if you’ll be there! You can find…
My favourite quote from Winston Churchill is ‘Don’t believe everything you read on the internet’. This came to mind because I have just read a post online which said, ‘you don’t need Employer’s Liability Insurance if you are using subbies who have their own insurance’! Hopefully you already know that this is NOT correct and…
Here at Tree Surgeon Insurance, we’ll be falling silent for 2 minutes at 11am on Friday 11th November to mark the Armistice. Will you be honouring this too? In the past, the phone has rung here. It wasn’t answered, but one caller had the audacity to moan. What do you think about this? I am…
One of the things I find most baffling is when somebody appoints a family member as a business partner or a director of their business, without considering the implications. It is often done so they can help out with paperwork while the husband does the manual work (yes, I know it may sound like a…
We think that this year’s APF certainly was one of the best yet! And with an estimated 23,000 visitors, I think many others would agree. Here’s a short collage showing some of our favourite bits of the show. It was an exhausting few days, with lots of visitors to our stand. Poor Simon our MD…
We had a great time at this year’s APF. It was fantastic to see so many of you at our stand. One of our highlights of the event was watching the World Pole Climbing Champion Dan Whelan defend his title for the third time. Here they are in the final – it’s incredible to watch.…
We are excited to announce that Simon from Burnley’s Tree Services Ltd has been drawn at random as the winner of this Stihl MS661 chainsaw. It was great to be able to meet him this week and hand over his prize personally! Well done Simon! We hope you all enjoyed the APF as much as…
We have just drawn the winners for our APF ticket prize draw. Their names are listed below. If you were one of the lucky winners, please check your private messages on Facebook/Instagram for further details. From Facebook: Callum ByrneHarry levyJason HearnAlun BallMichael TaylorFred HarberAlan TophamAndrew KitcherWayne Paul StonehamBilly SaundersJames MarstonLiam HealyWill PackhamWilliam IvesChristian KayeRichard DalgarnoGeorge…
To celebrate the return of the APF, we will be running a prize draw at the event to win a Stihl MS661 (as modelled here by the lovely Mark). So come and visit us on stand H17B and meet the team – and of course enter the prize draw! See you there.
We are all looking forward to the return of APF 2022 this year, so to celebrate we are giving away 30 tickets to this years event. To be entered into the prize draw to win one of these tickets, please like our post on Facebook or Instagram before 11.59pm Thursday 8th September 2022. Entrants must have…
We have had a call from an employed Arborist about whether staff could reduce their PPE due to the heat. He said the risk of heat exhaustion was higher than that of a chainsaw injury. I pointed out that health and safety policy was not down to us, but clearly if it is too hot…
It’s that time of year when we start to get even more claims for damage to artificial grass. This creates headaches for contractors, insurers and customers alike. The reality is that artificial grass is becoming more and more popular, although I am not sure why! The problem is that the synthetic green carpet is not…
For when jobs go WRONG. As this photo shows, jobs don’t always go the way we planned. We can arrange Public Liability Insurance with no height limits. So call us now and make sure you are covered before you start work.
Hi, I’m Simon, the Managing Director at Tree Surgeon Insurance. I want to share my true story with you, as it raises some important points. Six weeks ago, I woke up with a sharp pain in my Achilles. The only thing I had done was play crazy golf with my 14-year-old daughter. The pain got…
We’ve seen lots of posts on social media recently from Tree Surgeons who haven’t got paid for their hard work. There are a few ways to ensure you get paid on time… some perhaps a little more inventive than others! 1. Contracts We’ve talked before about the importance of having a contract in place, and…
We often hear ‘My groundsman is a bona-fide sub-contractor, so I don’t need Employers’ Liability Insurance’. These days everybody should know that it is extremely unlikely that a groundsman or even a climber is a bona-fide sub-contractor. Note the caveat – ‘extremely unlikely’. The reason for this cautionary note is the original law and guidance…
Some time ago, a friend of mine who is a local vicar asked me to recommend a Tree Surgeon. I gave him a list of 5 companies who we insure within 10 miles of his parish. Doing work for churches can be very lucrative and there was also the potential to get on the approved…
This occurred some time ago, but it is a reminder about ‘working together’. A chap, who we will refer to as John, only did hedge laying and the felling of small trees. He had Public Liability Insurance and stated that he works alone. He found he had a lot of work on, so a friend…
Not long to go now until the BIG one, and it’s already looking like the biggest yet! Will we see you there? After being cancelled for two years in a row it promises to be even more popular. The APF is a huge event, and with many top retailers exhibiting, there is nowhere better to…
The recent storms have created a massive spike in demand for Tree Surgeons and Foresters. This in turn has brought out the cowboys. Last night the doorbell rang, and I cautiously opened the door (working in insurance I don’t have many friends!). A very dishevelled looking man told me he was in the area tidying…
Happy New Year! I know we were all hoping to see the back of Covid in 2022, but it looks like it will be hanging around a bit longer. There’s been a lot of talk about Lateral Flow Tests recently with shortages and the increase in cases of Omicron. We’re interested in whether you ask…
The old ones are the best, and we love this classic video. Do you have any favourites? Please share them with us over on our Facebook Post!
January comes every year – hopefully! Besides keeping your new year’s resolutions, the other daunting issue at this time of year is TAX. Most self-employed people and some employees have to make a return to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (along with a contribution towards her upkeep!) Firstly, this is a reminder to submit your…
It’s a subject men never talk about – Prostate Cancer. Despite being almost as common as breast cancer, awareness of this disease is tiny by comparison. Why? I think this can only be down to men’s attitude towards health. The shocking fact is that for far too many men this post will be a surprise.…
As the nights have become longer, sadly the number of tool thefts have started to increase. With this in mind, contractors face a real dilemma. Should you advertise your business on your van? One Tree Surgeon has told us that his vehicle is one of the best sources of business. He even has a leaflet…
The cost of equipment is going up, so why not make a chainsaw? What could possibly go wrong? Check this out and let us know what you think on Facebook. And no… we don’t insure home-made saws.
Check this out and let us know what you think on Facebook. And if you need cover, get in touch!
Yesterday I once again heard how a contractor was not getting paid for work completed. I asked him what it said in his contract, and the reply was ‘I don’t issue contracts’. Even more surprisingly, he stated that this was the 3rd time this has happened since May. At this point, I need to stress…
There appears to be some confusion about the use of staff that are not ‘fully qualified’. Whilst this often relates to the use of chainsaws and/or climbing, this post is applicable to all aspects of work. I am not going to get involved in a health and safety debate about whether a qualified person should…
Watch this video to help you understand what insurance an Arborists or Forestry Contractor needs. This is our MD giving a training lecture to Arb Students as part of the business studies section of their course. The right insurance will help to protect you, your clients and any staff. This video is a must-see for…
Does having a tracker on plant work? We have just heard about another case where a chipper was stolen and despite numerous calls to the police the owner watched it travel down the M2 to Dover, through Poland and it now lives in Ukraine. All that traveling and without it’s jabs! Currently most of our…
Great news! The Chancellor is giving you 30% more tax relief on capital expenditure if you are trading as a Ltd company – check with your accountant. Normally when something is too good to be true it’s a scam, but unless we are missing something this really is AMAZING. Spend £100 and get £130 in…
The Arb Show has also been cancelled this year but the good news is that the Virtual Arb Show is back once again. So put 28th -30th May in your diary and click on the link below. Let us hope for the real thing next year and an end to social distancing! https://www.trees.org.uk/News-Blog/Latest-News/Virtual-ARB-Show-returns-for-2021
Europe’s largest Forestry and Arb Show has been postponed from this September until 2022. I totally get that everybody’s safety is paramount but this show isn’t on for another 6 months and Boris has assured us we will be back to normal by then. Well I guess next year’s show will be even busier. Let’s…
The Supreme Court has made their final call on the Uber case and there really is no going back from here. The implications are ENORMOUS for the Arb & Forestry Industry. I know I will be moaned at, but this has to be positive for this sector in the long term. It can only ‘up’…
Last year we had a run of injury claims for Blackthorn infections. What is it about this thorn that causes such an issue? Can somebody help? A few years ago one client almost lost the end of a finger – yet apparently Blackthorn is not poisonous ? Thankfully he had Personal Injury Cover so he…
A client has recently clipped a phone line. He was expecting a repair bill for £500-£800 but he now finds that he is being sued to replace a phone pole as well! To defend the claim, he has been asked to provide photos – which he has not got. We often hear about utility companies…
This week I heard another reason why a contractor does not need Employers Liability Insurance. ‘I get the client to help – it helps me undercut the competition’. This was from an Arborist who had been trained at a well-known college. I pointed out that this has a few Health & Safety implications and we would…
I recently heard out about a tree surgeon who damaged somebody’s car due to a large branch falling on it. After some ‘persuasion’ the vehicle owner agreed to claim on their car insurance. Matter closed?? Of course not. The vehicle insurer then pursued the tree surgeon for the damage and all the litigation costs. This…
Lest we forget. Make sure you fall silent on Wednesday 11th November at 11am. Remember those who protect our freedom and those who have fallen in previous times. If you donate on-line then the British Legion can reclaim the tax. www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate
Remember you CAN work in a lock down! In the last lock down the Arb Association received the flowing letter from Lord Goldsmith – Minister of State. ‘Arboriculturists should therefore be able to continue with outdoor work, where they can continue to follow Public Health England guidelines’ See the full letter below:- https://www.trees.org.uk/Trees.org.uk/files/c1/c1e54299-9032-4c31-a1fa-65acfa7831c4.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1L5j2741mXGX4frUtuOt8lUUDkW9UxSo9epPiVeYz262VHxFTnm2WoOhk Please share…
Will be on -‘in theory’ Friday 14th & Saturday 15th May 2021 This is the UKs leading annual event, so lets hope that that it happens next year. So put it in your diary and we hope very much to see you there.
Can anybody tell me why contractors are telling their subbies to get their own Public Liability insurance? We are getting loads of calls from people saying ‘my boss says I need to get my own insurance’. Now if they are your boss then surely the buck stops with them? Trying to turn labour subbies into…
The last Domino! Is there any point in incorporating these days? This is a harder call now due recent taxation changes-☹ It is certainly less clear cut now but there are still some big advantages to trading as a Limited Company. The limitation of liability itself is probably the biggest advantage. In a world where the…
If you have ever wondered why your business insurance costs are going up then read this but be warned it will make your blood boil. I personally dealt with this case and I was gobsmacked with the outcome. A subbie injured himself whilst texting his girlfriend near some equipment. He tripped because he was…
To many people, a rhododendron is a beautiful plant which has been ‘encouraged’ to grow. Like many introduced species it is causing havoc to our ecosystem. This plant is responsible for the destruction of many native habitats. It has spread from people’s gardens to many once wild habitats. Apparently, it is a competitive plant that…
Once again the Arb Association have supplied support and guidance. Employers, including those who use subbies have a duty of care, which goes way beyond the ‘we work outside -we will be OK’ approach, that I have heard. Click on the link below and make sure you have a comprehensive Covid 19 Health and Safety…
We keep getting asked about ‘New for Old’ insurance for tools, as some providers no longer offer this. So ‘yes’ – subject to policy limits we can offer this type of cover. So call us now on 01732 373864 and get those tools insured!
We regularly hear about contractors struggling to get payments on time from customers. This always puzzles me because a good contract always stipulates prompt payment. One client offers a £20 discount if paid on the same day. Current technology sharply favours prompt settlement. You can have a mobile card terminal or use Apple or Android…
Europe’s largest Arb, Forestry and Timber event has been postponed. I guess this is the best thing as safety always comes first. The only good news is that it’s on next year instead, along with the Olympics and Euro football. So, put 23rd/24th/25th September 2021 in your diary. https://www.apfexhibition.co.uk/
Its a real shame that this GREAT event has been cancelled this year but the fantastic Arb Association have produced a virtual show. Many people including me would have been there today. Lets hope this great event is back next year and in the mean time, click on the link below and at least get…
Have you ever wondered why Arborists & Foresters business insurance costs go up? Two Arborists have sent me emails they have received, offering £1,000 for any successful referral that results in a lawsuit against an employer! ‘Do you know anybody who has been injured at work?’ This is a real escalation of the ambulance chasing solicitors…
You CAN Work From Lord Goldsmith – Minister of State. ‘Arboriculturalists should therefore be able to continue with outdoor work, where they can continue to follow Public Health England guidelines’ See the full letter below:- You Can Work Well done to the Arb Association and please share this post.
The world has changed in the last two months and, I believe, in some ways for the better. Here are my predictions for the implications for your industry: The end of subbies This will happen for a variety of reasons, not least it is much easier to ‘furlough’ an employee. When we do come out the…
In the last 8 weeks, guess what the number one cause of claims has been? Not having a contract! Despite this being frequently suggested, it appears very few Arborists and Foresters get a written contract drawn up between themselves and their customer. Here is an example of a claim that could have been avoided had…
