Yesterday I mentioned how Hick was concerned about his tree-trimmer not having the proper insurance. Well. Hick uncovered more facts during his Monday investigation.
Our insurance rep (his office manager, specifically) assured Hick that even some of their company's policies now allow the policyholder to make changes online and submit a document. She said the language in this policy looked like the industry standard.
Hick called the actual insurance company in California that holds the policy of Tree-Trimmer Guy. The agent verified that Tree-Trimmer Guy's policy, while recent, was in full effect, and would provide coverage for the trimming of the Pony House tree. He has paid his monthly premium and the policy is good for at least 30 days. This agent sent Hick a copy of the policy with Hick's name on it as the insured for this job. So Hick is comfortable using Tree-Trimmer Guy, IF Hick approves the final contract that Tree-Trimmer Guy was bringing by Pony House on Monday evening. It contains details such as Hick not paying a cent until some work is done. Hick will pay for what is done, at the end of each day, but not the full amount unless ALL the agreed-upon terms have been met. Such as the limbs being cleared from the property, and six-foot lengths stacked on the concrete pad up by the Pony House garage. Hick is planning to use some of the wood for heating his workshop this winter.
Hick also found out that Tree-Trimmer Guy has formed an LLC (Limited Liability Corporation), so he seems to be trying to go about this in a business-like manner, and not in a shady kind of way like just showing up in a truck and climbing a tree to trim it, then pocket the cash.
However... in talking to our insurance office manager, Hick was reminded that Tree-Trimmer Guy will need a business license issued from the city (of Sis-Town) if he's going to do work within the city limits. Hick says he plans to ask Tree-Trimmer Guy if he has gotten a license, emphasizing: "Look. The mayor is my brother-in-law, and you HAVE to have a business license. I'm not going to have some nosy neighbor saying that the mayor is playing favorites and not requiring a relative to meet all the regulations."
So... for now, Tree-Trimmer Guy is back on Hick's schedule to trim the Pony House tree.
I would never have even thought about the insurance. Does regular homeowners cover accidents by contractors?
ReplyDeleteAccording to Hick, according to our insurance agent's office manager... it does NOT cover accidents if you're paying the contractors.
DeleteI would not have thought of insurance either. You know me, such an optimist, always assuming nothing can go wrong!
Sounds like Hick has dotted all the t's and crossed all the i's. Or something like that.
ReplyDeleteFiguratively, not literally! Hick has been know to LEAVE OUT the t's and i's.
DeleteThis is all good news as long as tree Trimmer Guy gets his business license in time.
ReplyDeleteAfter doing the other stuff right, you'd think he would take that final step. I haven't talked to Hick yet to find out.
DeleteDid he dot his "I"s and cross his "T"s when he was in school? hick knows his stuff.
ReplyDeleteHick was not a fan of school. He refused to make a bug collection for biology, even though his teacher pointed out that he had ample opportunity to collect specimens where he worked at night at a gas station with bright lights.
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