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Workers' Comp for Tree Service Companies in Florida

Code 0106 — 2026 FL filed rate: $6.09/100 — One of Florida's highest-risk outdoor trades.

Why Tree Service Carries High Workers' Comp Rates in Florida

Tree service work - trimming, pruning, and removal - carries a 2026 Florida filed rate of $6.09 per $100 of payroll under NCCI code 0106. That puts it among the highest-rate classifications for outdoor service businesses in the state.

The reason is the injury profile: arborists and tree crews work with chainsaws at height, often in close proximity to power lines, on uneven terrain, with the added hazard of falling limbs that are impossible to fully control. Florida's frequent storms create additional surge demand - after a hurricane, tree crews work longer hours in more hazardous conditions than normal.

$6.09

per $100 payroll

Code 0106

Tree Pruning & Trimming

$6.18

per $100 payroll

Code 2702

Tree Removal & Logging

$4.14

per $100 payroll

Code 0042

Landscaping (for comparison)

Which Code Applies to Your Tree Work?

Classification matters significantly in tree service:

Code 0106 (Tree Pruning) - applies to trimming, pruning, and maintenance of trees. This is the standard code for most tree service companies that maintain trees without full removal.
Code 2702 (Logging and Tree Removal) - applies when the primary work is complete tree removal, land clearing, or logging operations. Rate is $6.18/100.
Code 0042 (Landscaping) - if your crew primarily does lawn and landscape maintenance with only incidental trimming, some of that payroll may qualify under 0042 at $4.14/100.

If your crews do a mix, payroll should be separated by the type of work performed. Misclassification is a frequent audit finding for tree service businesses - and it almost always results in additional premium owed.

Storm Season and Surge Work

Florida's hurricane season creates a significant - and underinsured - workers' comp exposure for tree service companies. After a major storm, crews work overtime in debris-filled conditions with fatigued workers, degraded equipment, and unfamiliar terrain. Claim frequency spikes sharply in the weeks following a hurricane event.

Pay-as-you-go PEO programs handle surge work naturally: premium adjusts each payroll cycle based on actual wages, so a busy storm-season month is covered proportionally without requiring a separate policy endorsement or mid-term audit.

Frequently Asked Questions - Florida Tree Service

Yes, in almost all cases. Florida requires workers' comp for construction industry employers with one or more employees. Tree service is typically classified as a non-construction trade, so the threshold is four employees - but this can change based on how the work is classified. Given the high injury risk and the steep fines for non-compliance (plus personal liability for injuries to uncovered workers), coverage is strongly advisable even if you're near the threshold.

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Yes. Workers' comp covers injuries that occur in the course and scope of employment, including chainsaw lacerations, crush injuries, and amputations. These are among the most costly claims in the tree service industry. Medical costs alone for a serious hand or arm injury can exceed $100,000, which is why carriers price the classification accordingly.

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Only if those workers carry their own coverage or hold a valid Florida exemption certificate. Florida enforcement of workers' comp compliance is aggressive, particularly for high-risk outdoor trades. If your 1099 tree workers are found to be misclassified employees, you face stop-work orders, fines of $1,000 per day, and retroactive premium. Always collect certificates of insurance before a sub starts work.

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Yes. Tree service is exactly the type of high-risk, hard-to-place trade where our PEO programs shine. We regularly work with tree companies that have been non-renewed or declined by the standard market. Call us and let's discuss your loss history - we have options that most agents don't.

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Stump grinding is generally included under the same classification as the primary tree service work - if your crew is classified under 0106 or 2702, stump grinding by the same crew is typically covered under that code. If you operate a separate stump grinding operation with different crews, discuss the classification with your carrier or PEO to confirm proper treatment.

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