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Message
Tree guy has insurance but no license
Posted on 4/22/26 at 11:41 am
Posted on 4/22/26 at 11:41 am
I have a rental property that has four water oak trees in the back yard that I’m having removed. One guy gave me a good price and sent me a copy of his insurance but when I asked him for his license he said he didn’t have one.
Am I at risk at all by hiring him or is he the only one taking the risk by not being licensed?
I called the state’s agriculture and horticulture division and can’t seem to get a straight answer.
EDIT: I’ve decided not to use the guy without a license. I was about to give the job to the other guy I got a quote from who has a license but after looking at his insurance certificate I saw that he only has liability and not work comp. He said he’d sign a liability waiver but I don’t feel comfortable that that’ll hold up if anything were to happen. So I guess I’m gonna start the search over again
Am I at risk at all by hiring him or is he the only one taking the risk by not being licensed?
I called the state’s agriculture and horticulture division and can’t seem to get a straight answer.
EDIT: I’ve decided not to use the guy without a license. I was about to give the job to the other guy I got a quote from who has a license but after looking at his insurance certificate I saw that he only has liability and not work comp. He said he’d sign a liability waiver but I don’t feel comfortable that that’ll hold up if anything were to happen. So I guess I’m gonna start the search over again
This post was edited on 4/22/26 at 5:03 pm
10
Posted on 4/22/26 at 12:00 pm to 4thand20
I’d at least call the insurance company and confirm liability and workers comp.
To cut trees in LA you must be a licensed arborist.
To cut trees in LA you must be a licensed arborist.
Posted on 4/22/26 at 12:07 pm to 4thand20
quote:
According to the Louisiana horticulture law: No person shall receive fees, advertise or solicit business in a regulated profession or occupation unless this person holds the appropriate license or permit, or has a regular employee who holds the appropriate license or permit, or is employed by a person who holds the appropriate license or permit. In addition, all licensees are required to place their license numbers on all business-related vehicles that have advertisements on them.
No license is required for someone doing tree debris removal, which includes cutting up and hauling away fallen trees.
Strain added that any work on a tree or portion of a tree still standing will require an arborist license. Refer to the LDAF website at www.LDAF.la.gov or LDAF Business App for mobile devices to verify the current license status of an arborist.
Posted on 4/22/26 at 12:17 pm to mikie421
quote:
To cut trees in LA you must be a licensed arborist.
Or else what? I guess that’s my main question. He’s obviously working without a license so my concern is if I hire him do I take on any risk? Or is he the only one taking the risk?
Posted on 4/22/26 at 12:17 pm to 4thand20
Wind direction looks good. Let him grab his chainsaw and commence to cutting.
Posted on 4/22/26 at 12:34 pm to 4thand20
I would not let him do it. Can’t believe he got insurance to cover that if no license.
Posted on 4/22/26 at 12:38 pm to 4thand20
quote:
Or else what? I guess that’s my main question. He’s obviously working without a license so my concern is if I hire him do I take on any risk? Or is he the only one taking the risk?
I’d imagine that the insurance policy excludes coverage for services performed without proper licensing
Posted on 4/22/26 at 12:50 pm to 4thand20
Cutting trees is a dangerous job. High probability of some sort of accident on your property. I wouldn't give his insurance or your insurance any way to not cover if something were to happen. Not having a proper license would be a good reason not to cover damages/accidents.
Posted on 4/22/26 at 1:02 pm to 4thand20
quote:
Or else what?
If something happens, your or a neighbor's property gets damaged, or anyone gets injured, your homeowner's or his insurance (assuming it's legit) may refuse to cover it. And you may get sued.
Other than that, nothing will happen. It's 100% an insurance/liability issue.
Posted on 4/22/26 at 1:20 pm to 4thand20
whats the chances those trees can fall on a house? if they are just dropping trees with no risk of it hitting something I probably wouldnt worry much. if its a job where the tree can hit a house or fence or something then pay someone that is licenses and insured.
Posted on 4/22/26 at 2:41 pm to 4thand20
His insurance company probably has a requirement that he's licensed in order for them to issue the policy. I'd call to verify with the insurance company before you let him on your property to do this work. It's possible his license was in good standing at the time he bought the insurance then let the license go after. It's also possible his insurer doesn't require licensure, which if that's the case, he's not properly insured because they wrote him a policy for different work, and that means if he fricks up on your property, he won't be covered.
Posted on 4/22/26 at 2:43 pm to diat150
quote:
whats the chances those trees can fall on a house? if they are just dropping trees with no risk of it hitting something I probably wouldnt worry much
Low, but not non-existent. It's also possible when they drop a tree far from any property that a branch breaks and flings itself or something else towards your property, damaging windows or the roof. All sorts of shite can happen that you don't think about until it happens.
Posted on 4/22/26 at 3:47 pm to 4thand20
quote:
when I asked him for his license he said he didn’t have one.
Move on to the next tree guy then.
Posted on 4/22/26 at 4:17 pm to jdavid1
“Not having a proper license would be a good reason not to cover damages/accident”
Yep.
I got burned on a deal like this.Guy had insurance,showed it to me.I didn’t think to ask about a license.He cut a tree,went the wrong way,hit the power line and jerked the electrical service off the house.Cost me a thousand or so to an electrician to repair.Insurance wouldn’t pay because he didn’t have a license.
I was worried that SWEPCO was going to charge me to restring the wire he took down but they didn’t.
Yep.
I got burned on a deal like this.Guy had insurance,showed it to me.I didn’t think to ask about a license.He cut a tree,went the wrong way,hit the power line and jerked the electrical service off the house.Cost me a thousand or so to an electrician to repair.Insurance wouldn’t pay because he didn’t have a license.
I was worried that SWEPCO was going to charge me to restring the wire he took down but they didn’t.
Posted on 4/24/26 at 3:20 am to 4thand20
Fairly easy to game the insurance to get the coverage but it will not hold water if they deem the job is outside the scope provided for coverage. They will not insure that job without an arborist's license. Waiver for workman comp should hold up if they are hurt while working. Some insurances only require and NAICS code and a short description of services rendered to provide coverage and only ask for license/ certification in the event of a claim so they can still collect the premiums. A jack in a truck with a lawn care LLC and a 500 dollar liability policy can present their self as insured to do the work when they are not if there is a real problem.
Posted on 4/24/26 at 8:37 am to 4thand20
quote:
I have a rental property
Don't ask don't tell, but if you asked I absolutely would not hire him for a rental. Your personal property would be more likely to cover you if you didn't ask, for a rental this is a business decision and you would negligently be hiring this guy.
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