End of the agricultural season
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Arborists and tree trimmers
Professional insurance for SIAQ arborists with general liability
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A program designed for arboriculture professionals
This program covers four types of protection: general liability, errors and omissions (E&O), equipment and tools, and commercial auto.
Eligible profiles are members of the Société Internationale d’arboriculture Québec (SIAQ): arborists, tree trimmers, and self-employed workers in arboriculture.
Work may be carried out in residential, commercial, or municipal settings. Interventions near the Hydro-Québec network are eligible for authorized contractors.
A La Turquoise broker confirms that your activities fall within the program’s scope before underwriting.
SIAQ members can also access discounts on personal auto and home insurance.
A partnership with the Société Internationale d’arboriculture Québec
La Turquoise developed, in collaboration with the Société Internationale d’arboriculture Québec (SIAQ), an insurance program with solutions tailored to the needs of arborists.
You are leaving La Turquoise’s website
This link leads to the SIAQ website, a partner of this program. You will find more information about the association there.
The coverages included in the SIAQ program
See what the program covers- General liability: a tree you fell damages a neighbour’s fence. A passerby is injured during your work. This coverage applies to bodily injury and property damage caused to third parties during and after your interventions. An additional insured may be added under this coverage.
- Errors and omissions (E&O): a client disputes your expert report or your assessment of a hazardous tree. This coverage applies to claims related to professional errors or inadequate advice. It applies to consulting services, felling reports, and expert testimony for legal proceedings.
- Equipment and tools: your chainsaw is stolen from a job site. Your wood chipper is damaged during transport. This coverage protects your professional equipment against damage and theft. Climbing equipment and mobile equipment are included.
- Commercial auto: your work truck is involved in an accident on the way to a job site. This coverage applies to your commercial vehicles and mobile equipment used in your operations.
- Please note: this program is reserved for members of the Société Internationale d’arboriculture Québec (SIAQ). A broker confirms that your activities fall within the program’s scope before coverage is placed.
What the SIAQ partnership concretely offers you
Discover my member benefits- Coverage tailored to arboriculture work: the specific risks of your trade are taken into account. Interventions at height, near the Hydro-Québec network, and in urban settings are covered.
- A policy that covers you during and after your interventions: general liability applies during your work and after its completion. No grey area on the duration of coverage.
- Optional coverage based on your needs: legal assistance, human resources (HR) assistance, and privacy breach protection may be added to your policy.
- Discounts on your other insurance: as a SIAQ member, you may qualify for discounts on auto and home insurance. Your family members may also benefit.
Save on your premium
La Turquoise’s insurance brokers will help you find the discounts that apply to your situation. These savings vary depending on your profile and coverage. They make it easy to lower your rates.
Car and home insurance discounts
Bundling auto and home insurance with La Turquoise can lower the premium. The broker explains the possible savings based on the situation.
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Multiple vehicles
Bundling insurance policies with the same provider may qualify the policyholder for a discount. This option often applies when multiple drivers from the same household are insured together.
Safe driver/personalized premium program based on driving habits
A claims-free driving record may qualify for a discount. Some insurers also offer a program that analyses driving habits and adjusts the premium accordingly.
Recommended coverages
The plan covers professional liability and general liability. Extra coverage may be available to supplement the policy depending on the situation.
Legal assistance
Arboriculture work can sometimes lead to disputes. A client may contest your work or question your assessment. Access to legal support by phone allows you to respond quickly and with confidence.
- A client threatens to sue you following a contested tree removal.
- You need to verify the legality of a service contract.
- You need quick legal advice before responding to a formal notice.
Human resources (HR) assistance
Hiring, managing, or terminating employment involves specific obligations. Specialized support helps you make the right decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
- You need to terminate an employment contract and want to confirm the proper procedure.
- A conflict arises between members of your team.
- You want to structure your employment terms and conditions.
Privacy breach protection
Expert reports, client contact information, contractual data: this information has value, and protecting it is your responsibility. In the event of an incident, recovery costs and third-party claims may be covered.
- An email containing personal information is sent to the wrong recipient.
- Unauthorized access compromises your client files.
- Your data is lost following a system failure.
Your questions about insurance for SIAQ members
Practising arboriculture in Quebec often raises insurance questions. Types of coverage, obligations, limits, or how to handle a loss: this section brings together answers to the most frequently asked questions. It is designed to inform your decisions based on the realities specific to the arborist trade and the Quebec context.
General liability is not required by any general law in Quebec. It is, however, required in many real-world situations. Most commercial and municipal clients request proof of insurance before awarding contracts.
Contractors wishing to work near the Hydro-Québec network must hold general liability insurance. They must also obtain authorization.
The SIAQ also recommends that its members obtain this coverage.
Beyond the obligations, general liability insurance protects your business against the financial consequences of an accident. A single uncovered claim can jeopardize your operations.
These two coverages apply to different situations.
- General liability applies when your work causes physical or property damage to a third party. For example: a felled tree damages a fence or injures a passerby.
- Errors and omissions (E&O) applies when a client suffers harm as a result of your advice or professional expertise. For example, your assessment of a hazardous tree comes under dispute or your felling report is called into question.
Arborists who offer consulting services benefit from holding both coverages.
Yes, provided you have subscribed to the equipment and tools coverage. This includes your chainsaws, climbing gear, wood chipper, and mobile equipment.
Coverage applies in cases of damage and theft. Deductibles and limits vary depending on your policy. A broker can clarify what applies to your situation.
Yes. The SIAQ program includes coverage that applies during and after your interventions. This distinction matters: some standard insurance policies limit coverage to the duration of the work.
Claims can arise weeks or months after a contract ends. For example: a pruned tree later breaks and causes damage. Post-intervention coverage protects you in this type of situation.
Your general liability covers this type of situation. Bodily injury and property damage caused to third parties in the course of your interventions are handled by your insurer.
Legal defence costs are also covered according to the terms of your policy. It is important to report the loss to your insurer as soon as possible.
A broker can guide you through the process.
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