Hiring someone to work on your trees sounds simple until a branch falls on your roof, a worker gets hurt in your yard, or a neighboring property takes damage. At that point, the question of insurance stops being a formality and becomes very real, very fast. In Reno, where we get heavy snow loads in winter and fierce winds off the Sierra Nevada that can drop limbs without warning, tree work carries genuine risk. Knowing how to check a contractor’s insurance before the job starts is one of the most practical things a homeowner or property manager can do.
Why Insurance Verification Matters More Than You Think?
Most people assume that if a company shows up with a truck and equipment, they must be covered. That assumption has cost Nevada homeowners thousands of dollars. An uninsured tree crew working on your property can expose you to liability for their injuries under certain circumstances. Your homeowner’s policy may cover some damage, but you could still face higher premiums or denied claims if the contractor lacked proper coverage. The Insurance Information Institute outlines how property owner liability works when contractors are injured on-site — it is not always the contractor’s problem alone.
Tree work is classified as a high-hazard occupation by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, consistently ranking among the most dangerous jobs in the country. That risk level is exactly why legitimate tree care companies carry specific types of coverage.
The Two Types of Coverage You Must Confirm
Before any tree trimming services, tree removal services, or stump removal services begin on your property, confirm that the company carries both general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. These are not the same thing, and you need both.
General liability insurance covers property damage. If a tree falls on your fence, your car, or your neighbor’s shed during a job, this policy pays for it. In Nevada, there is no state law requiring tree service companies to carry a minimum amount of general liability coverage, but reputable companies typically carry at least $1 million per occurrence. American Lawn and Landscaping LLC carries both types of coverage — it is a non-negotiable part of how we operate.
Workers’ compensation is the policy that protects you if a crew member gets hurt on your property. Under Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 616, most employers with one or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. If a tree service company sends workers to your home and does not have this policy, you could potentially be held responsible for their medical bills and lost wages. Do not skip this one.
How to Actually Verify the Insurance — Step by Step?
Asking “are you insured?” is not enough. Any contractor can say yes. Here is how to get real confirmation.
Request a Certificate of Insurance. Ask the company to send you a current COI before scheduling. This is a standard document — any legitimate tree care services provider will have one ready. The COI will list the insurer’s name, policy numbers, coverage types, coverage limits, and the policy expiration date. Check the expiration date carefully. A policy that expired two months ago offers you zero protection.
Call the Insurance Company Directly. The COI lists a phone number for the insurer. Call them and verify that the policy is active and that the coverage limits match what is on the document. This takes five minutes and eliminates the small but real risk of a fraudulent or altered COI.
Ask to Be Named as an Additional Insured. For larger jobs — like emergency tree removal after storm damage or commercial tree service on a multi-property site — you can request that the contractor add you as an additional insured on their liability policy for the duration of the work. This gives you direct rights under their policy if something goes wrong. Not every small residential job requires this, but it is worth knowing about.
Verify the Nevada Business License. The Nevada Secretary of State’s business search lets you confirm that a company is registered and in good standing. A legitimate professional arborist services company will have no trouble with this check.
Check for Contractor Registration with Washoe County or the City of Reno. Depending on the scope of the work, some tree removal projects in Reno may require permits, particularly if the trees are near utility lines or protected under local ordinances. The City of Reno Development Services office can clarify permit requirements for your specific situation.
What Red Flags Look Like in Practice?
A company that hesitates to send a COI, sends one with blacked-out or missing information, or cannot give you the name of their insurer is showing you something important. Likewise, a company that quotes a price far below competitors and waves off your insurance questions with “don’t worry about it” should not be working on your property.
Cash-only operations with no business address and no verifiable insurance are common in the tree service market, especially after wind events or snowstorms when demand spikes and homeowners are anxious to get damaged trees cleared. That urgency is exactly when proper verification matters most.
After You Verify: What Good Tree Care Looks Like
Once you have confirmed coverage, you want to work with a crew that actually knows trees. The International Society of Arboriculture certifies arborists who have passed rigorous testing on tree biology, pruning standards, and safety practices. Ask whether the company employs or consults with an ISA-certified arborist, especially for tree pruning services where improper cuts can damage a tree permanently or create future hazards.
American Lawn and Landscaping LLC handles residential tree service and commercial tree service across Reno and the surrounding Nevada area. Our team handles everything from routine tree trimming and stump removal to emergency tree removal after storm events. You can see what our customers say on our client reviews page — real feedback from real jobs in this area.
If you want to learn more about our team and how we operate, that information is available on our website. We also offer residential maintenance and landscaping and commercial maintenance and landscaping for property owners who want a single, reliable company handling multiple needs throughout the year.
Get Started the Right Way
You now have a clear process: request the COI, call to verify it, check workers’ comp, confirm Nevada business registration, and ask about arborist credentials. Doing these four or five things before signing any agreement takes less than an hour and can save you a serious headache.
If you are ready to work with a fully insured, licensed tree care team in Reno, get in touch with us or call us directly at (775) 618-6801. You can also find our Reno office on Google Maps. We are happy to walk you through our coverage documentation before any work begins — because that is exactly what a trustworthy contractor should do.
