The Contractor Says They're "Fully Insured." Are They Really?

If you've ever hired a contractor, you've probably heard this before:

"Don't worry, we're fully insured."

Most homeowners hear those words and immediately feel relieved.

They assume everyone working on their property is protected.

They assume they're protected.

They assume the conversation is over.

The truth is...

That's exactly when the conversation should begin.

Most Homeowners Don't Know What to Ask

After more than 30 years in the tree, landscaping, and construction industries, I've learned that most homeowners don't know how to verify a contractor's insurance.

That's not their fault.

Nobody teaches it.

Schools don't.

Banks don't.

Insurance companies don't.

So people naturally assume that if a contractor says they're insured, they must be telling the whole story.

Sometimes they are.

Sometimes they aren't.

That's why you should never stop at the words:

"We're fully insured."

Ask for proof.

Understand what you're looking at.

And ask follow-up questions.

The Two Documents Every Homeowner Should Request

Before anyone starts work on your property, you should request:

• A current Certificate of General Liability Insurance.

• A current Certificate relating to Workers' Compensation Insurance, when applicable.

And don't accept a certificate that the contractor simply hands you or emails from their own account.

The best practice is to have the insurance agent or insurance company send the certificate directly to you.

Insurance agents do this every day.

Professional contractors expect these requests.

This is standard business practice.

Here's the Question Almost Nobody Asks

Now let's talk about something that surprises almost every homeowner.

In many states, the owner of a business can legally choose to exempt themselves from workers' compensation coverage.

Think about that for a moment.

The company may have workers' compensation insurance...

But the owner may not be covered under that policy.

If the owner is sitting in the office all day, that may not matter.

But what if the owner is the one climbing your tree?

Running the skid steer?

Operating the excavator?

Installing your roof?

Building your deck?

Working on your property every single day?

Now it matters.

A lot.

"We're Fully Insured" Doesn't Always Mean Everyone Is Covered

This is where homeowners get into trouble.

They hear,

"We're fully insured."

They see a Certificate of Insurance.

They assume everyone on the job is covered.

That assumption may be wrong.

If the owner has legally exempted themselves from workers' compensation, then the owner is not covered by that policy.

That's why you need to ask a simple but extremely important question:

"Will the owner be working on my property, and if so, is the owner personally covered under the workers' compensation policy?"

Don't assume.

Ask.

Why This Matters

Accidents don't happen because people plan them.

They happen because they're accidents.

A chainsaw slips.

A ladder falls.

A tree behaves unexpectedly.

A machine rolls.

Someone slips on wet ground.

Even the best contractors can have bad days.

That's why insurance exists.

If someone suffers a serious injury while working on your property, you don't want to be learning about insurance coverage for the first time after the accident.

Those questions should be answered before the work begins.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask

One of the biggest reasons homeowners don't ask about insurance is simple.

They feel awkward.

They don't want to offend the contractor.

They don't want to seem distrustful.

Forget that.

You're protecting one of the biggest investments you'll ever own.

You're inviting someone onto your property to perform potentially dangerous work.

Professional contractors should expect professional questions.

If asking about insurance makes someone defensive, dismissive, or uncomfortable, that's information you should pay attention to.

Asking for the Certificate Is Only the First Step

Here's the biggest mistake homeowners make.

They ask for a Certificate of Insurance.

The contractor provides one.

The homeowner files it away and thinks,

"I'm covered."

Not necessarily.

Do you know if the policy is current?

Do you know who is actually covered?

Do you know whether the owner is excluded from workers' compensation?

Do you know what questions to ask if something doesn't look right?

Most homeowners don't.

And that's okay.

But it does mean you shouldn't assume you've protected yourself simply because someone handed you a piece of paper.

Asking for the certificate is only the first step.

Understanding it is what actually protects you.

Why Tree413 Exists

At Tree413, we believe homeowners deserve more than vague promises.

You deserve clear answers.

You deserve to understand what you're being shown.

And you deserve to know what questions to ask before someone starts working on your property.

If you're unsure about a contractor's insurance, don't guess.

Ask us.

We'll gladly help you understand what you're looking at, explain the questions you should ask, and help you make a more informed hiring decision.

Sometimes a five-minute conversation before hiring a contractor can save you thousands of dollars—and provide peace of mind that's worth far more than the time it takes to ask.

Tree413 Tip

Never rely on the words "We're fully insured."

Verify the coverage. Understand who is covered. Ask questions.

Because asking for the certificate is only the first step. Understanding it is what actually protects you.