Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Damage From Fallen Trees?
The good news is that many standard homeowners insurance policies will cover your house or exterior structures, such as a garage, fence, or shed, when they’re damaged by a fallen tree. However, there are exceptions. In this article, we’ll address common questions about insurance coverage for fallen trees.
Is Fallen Tree Removal Covered by Insurance?
Many homeowners policies will not cover tree removal costs if no structural damage is sustained — meaning you will usually have to pay for removal of the tree from your yard. Additionally, some policies have special limits on coverage for tree debris. For example, insurance may pay to get the tree off your house but its removal from your yard may not be fully covered.
What Happens if a Neighbor’s Tree Falls on my Property?
Many people assume that if a neighbor’s tree falls on your home that the neighbor will be responsible for repairing the damage, but that’s usually not the case. If the tree fell from a covered event, such as a windstorm, you will have to file a claim with your insurance company. However, if neglect contributed to the tree’s demise, your neighbor could be liable for the damages.
Will My Homeowners Insurance Cover Preventative Tree Removal?
Preventative tree removal is generally not covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to remove diseased or rotted trees from your property.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Car Damage From A Tree?
Sometimes a falling tree will miss your home and hit your car instead. While your homeowners insurance will not cover the damage to the vehicle, your car insurance might cover its repair or replacement.
What to Do if a Tree Falls on Your House
If a tree falls on your house, you should first make sure everyone in your home is safe. Then, follow the steps outlined below to minimize additional damage and help get your home back in order.
Call emergency numbers if power lines are down.
Falling trees sometimes take powerlines down with them, which can increase the risk of fire or electrical shock. If you notice signs of a downed power line or smell smoke, contact the authorities and your local electrical company immediately. In the event that the downed line is still functioning, shut off your power.
Mitigate home damage and contact your insurance provider.
A fallen tree can break windows and create holes in your roof or siding. Once it’s safe to do so, tarp or board up the damage to protect your home and its contents from things like rain, rodents, and theft. It’s best to leave any needed roof-tarping to the pros as areas of the roof may no longer be stable.
Document damage from the fallen tree and expenses.
Take photos before and after any emergency repairs and keep an accurate record of related expenses. You’ll want to share these with your insurance provider to help them assess the damage and for possible reimbursement purposes. Your insurance provider may also send an adjuster to your home to assess the damage.
Seek alternative shelter.
If the fallen tree hit any major structural supports, affected the integrity of your roof, or is still on your home, you should find a different place to stay. If it is determined that your home is inhabitable because of the tree damage, save all related receipts, including hotel stays and meals for possible reimbursement purposes.
Contact your insurance provider.
As soon as you can, contact your agent or carrier to let them know what happened and begin the claims process.
Get the Coverage Your Home Needs
At Westfield, we know how disruptive damage to your home can be, but you can be prepared with the right insurance coverage. We offer products for every lifestyle — whether you are protecting a house, a condo, or a high-value home, we have coverages that fit your needs. Contact a Westfield agent for tailored insurance that helps you get through disasters like fallen trees and emergency relocation.