Liabilty Insurance

[Dennis]

For those of you who have liabilty insurance for your logging business, who do you go through for insurance coverage and what all do you have covered. I just received a quote that seemed to be really high for what I was cosidering covering. I’m just trying to get an idea of what else is out there.

[Theloggerswife]

Rates, rules and regulations are different from state to state when it comes to insurance. In Vermont my husband’s $1 million liability policy is $500 year. He needs that limit to work for the some large association landowners and a few foresters are requiring this limit of coverage. Call a round for rates, it is a soft market in the insurance industry still.

[Gabe Ayers]

I am also insured for liability in VT, and my rates are in the same ballpark as mentioned by Missy. I find that about half of my clients want a COI and the other half don’t care one bit. It is worth shopping around, though you will likely find that there are very limited number of carriers willing to write a logging policy, especially one that involves working outside a protective machine cab on the ground with a saw and horses. I have mine written so that it also coves me for backhoe work, which brings down my premiums a bit.
-Brad

[Livewater Farm]

talking about insurance my farm policy just came up for renewal and the company is refusing to cover liability if I keep selling raw milk to members in my community pay them almost 3500 /year and the sobs want my money but not cover me have heard they are pulling sh on flood victims and cancelling policies by the way it is farm family ins some farm policy hah and it is legal to sell raw milk here in Vt following quidelines whats next cant burn wood or eat my own garden grown food bullsh=====
Bill

[Baystatetom]

It has been a while since I asked any loggers about it, but I am pretty sure a Million $ policy cost the cable skidder guys around $500 a year. Interesting that there is no difference from skidders to horses. I guess maybe the pros and cons even out to the same in their eyes? or maybe they just don’t care enough to figure it out, and they consider a logger a logger.
Come to think of it, a lot of guys only carry $500,000. $1mill is required to work in the Quabin Reservoir so some just go for that so they are all set to bid timber there. I have a line in my timber sale contract that requires the logger to have $500,000 but I never ask for proof unless the landowner wants to see it.
~Tom
Tom

[Theloggerswife]

It is my understanding that once someone picks up a chainsaw and fells a tree it becomes a logging rate…regardless if they using horses or skidder. The only difference is if it is 100% mechanical….with no chainsaws involved. This pertains to general liability and workers compensation coverage. People I have met in the past have no desire to obtain insurance. I can respect that decision and I find that is a great idea until you need it.

Bill, it is time to shop local and obtain a local farm insurance company. If you deal with a local company based out of Vermont, I think you will be more satisfied. Even your claims adjusters would be local…just my two cents. Then again after 18 years of being in the industry, I can probably be classified as bias.

[Dennis]

I talked to a couple companies that specialize in logging insurance, they have told me that they will only insure a mechanized company. For them the mules weren’t the problem with them, it was that I would be felling with a chainsaw and not a fellerbuncher or other large piece of equipment. I am waiting for a return call from Timbersure, has any body used them or heard anything about them? What companies do any of you go through?

[Author]

Posts