To advance the science of arboriculture for the public benefit

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Insurance

The availability and cost of insurance for arboricultural (and forestry) contracting is causing some considerable concern in the industry. The Arboricultural Association is naturally concerned that insurance remains available and at an affordable price and we are making every effort to secure this.

The Arboricultural Association has provided the material below to help you to understand the issues.

The background to the insurance issue is explained in a question-and-answer format here

(click here) [Insurance FAQs]

Whilst there are plenty of rumours in the industry at the moment the more facts we have at our disposal the more effective we can be in directing our efforts. Help us by completing and returning the questionnaire:

Complete the Fact Find questionnaire and return to the Arboricultural Association

(click here) [Fact Find Form]

As well as completing the above questionnaire there are a number of things you can do to help yourself and the nation's amenity tree resource: we have provided sample letters that you can send to your MP to press the case for a more sensible approach to the current claims culture, and to your clients explaining the issues:

Write to your MP and MEP - template provided for you to download:	(click here) [Sample Letter to your MP]
You may also wish to alert your clients to the issue - tell them to look out for uninsured contractors and tell them why your prices have to go up to cover increased premiums	(click here) [Sample Letter to your Client]

You can also attend our Insurance Open Forum FREE of charge at our annual conference, 4.30 pm, Wednesday 17th September 2003. Places allocated on a first-come first-served basis. See programme and booking form click here to transfer to Conference page.

11th August 2003: Industry Unites on Insurance Issue. Joint Industry Meeting called by the AA

(click here) [Joint Industry Press Release]

The arboricultural industry needs to reduce the number and magnitude of liability claims if insurers are to continue to insure arboricultural operators. To this end a Joint Industry Working Party has drafted and agreed the criteria they believe arboricultural operators should meet in order to demonstrate that they operate safely:

27th August 2003: Health and safety standards for arboricultural operators. Members of the Working Party and the Standard they agreed

(click here) [Health & Safety Standard]

27th August 2003: Letter to the Insurance Industry about Health and Safety standards for arboricultural operators. Agreed by Members of the Working Party.

(click here) [Letter to Insurance Indusrty]

The arboricultural and forestry industries have also invited government ministers to attend the Insurance Open Forum at the AA's Annual Conference to address delegates (you can attend the Insurance Open Forum free but you need to book: click here to transfer to Conference page.) We've asked Government to do other things too - a copy of our letter follows:

29th August 2003: Joint Industry letter to Government

(click here) [Joint Letter to MPs]

The Department for Works and Pensions is coordinating the Government's response to the insurance issue and their reply to the above letter is shown as follows

19th September 2003: Bob Elam on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions replies :-

(click here) [For the DWP Reply]

Arboricultural Association's Annual Conference hosts Insurance Open Forum

17th September 2003: Insurance Open Forum attended by six representative organisations. Background, position statement, actions to date and further actions forecast.

(click here) [Joint Industry Press Release]