ATCP Leadership Meets with Kentucky Department of Insurance to Discuss Consumer Protection and Industry Standards
“We want to be a resource to you and offer our services that if you have things that are questionable… we have an ethics board that can review those for you… and hopefully streamline that process, make it quicker, cheaper and faster.”
On November 25, 2025, leadership from the Association of Tree Care Professionals (ATCP) met with the Kentucky Department of Insurance (DOI) to discuss a shared mission: protecting homeowners and elevating standards within the tree care industry.
The meeting included ATCP executives and key Kentucky officials, including Commissioner Sharon Clark and the Director of Insurance Fraud, Juan Garrett. Together, they addressed the critical need for better regulation and education to combat bad actors who take advantage of consumers following catastrophic storms.
Tackling Insurance Fraud and Overbilling
During the meeting, Commissioner Clark and her team highlighted specific horror stories regarding tree removal in Kentucky. Officials cited examples of egregious overbilling, such as a company charging $800 for the use of a single orange cone and instances where elderly homeowners faced mechanics liens on their property due to misleading contractor practices. Investigators noted that some companies engage in stacking bills, charging homeowners for every piece of equipment in the area, regardless of whether it was used on their specific property.
ATCP Vice President Stephan LeBlanc reinforced the Association’s stance against these unethical tactics.
He emphasized that the ATCP is fighting against stacking bills and the false promise that insurance companies will automatically pay for everything, a claim that often leaves policyholders liable for massive costs.
Education vs. “Chuck in a Truck”
A primary focus of the ATCP is to distinguish professional tree care companies from untrained operators, often referred to as “Chuck in a truck.”
Joe Whitledge noted that the barrier to entry in the industry is very low, which leads to a lack of understanding regarding proper insurance and safety standards.
The Association aims to bridge this gap through education, teaching contractors how to operate legally and ethically, rather than simply punishing them for not knowing better.
By implementing a code of ethics and offering resources to members, the ATCP hopes to create a recognizable standard.
LeBlanc stated that the goal is for the ATCP logo to serve as a symbol of trust, assuring consumers and officials that the company adheres to strict ethical guidelines.
Clarifying Pricing and Value
One of the key topics raised by DOI Investigator Eric Stone was the massive variance in pricing between different tree care companies.
ATCP Board Member Mark Goodpasture explained that legitimate pricing reflects the immense overhead required to operate safely, including specialized equipment like cranes, proper insurance, and trained personnel.
A fully equipped crane crew may deploy with over $1.5 million in equipment, allowing for safer and faster work compared to a less equipped crew that might take days to complete the same job.
The Association is working to develop data and review processes to help the Department of Insurance determine if invoices are reasonable based on the equipment and labor actually required.
This transparency helps protect both the homeowner from price gouging and the ethical contractor from being underpaid by carriers.
A Collaborative Path Forward
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to collaboration.
Shawn Boggs, Deputy Commissioner, expressed appreciation for the ATCP’s efforts, noting that increased education and a reliable resource for verifying industry standards will be absolutely good for the state.
Both the ATCP and the Kentucky DOI agreed that whether through investigating fraud or reviewing questionable invoices, the ultimate goal is to protect the consumer and ensure fair treatment for all parties involved.
Stefano Devigili,
ISA Certified Arborist
As a Founding Board Member of the
Association of Tree Care Professionals (ATCP)
,
Stefano works with the board to establish ethical standards and consumer protections for the emergency tree care industry. He is the Co-Founder of Grant Brothers Tree Service in Northern Virginia, bridging the gap between national advocacy and local expertise.
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