doublediamondphoto/getty images
Trees can add curb charm, but if they fall, they can cause serious property damage. In a tornado, tree limbs can quickly become projectiles. Or, if lightning strikes, the falling trees could hit your roof. If the tree falls on your property and hits your home or other structure, your home insurance may be able to help. However, this is usually only case if the tree falls due to what is covered in your policy. If it fell out and hit something due to corruption, old age, or maintenance issues, you probably won’t be able to file a claim for repairs for them.
Does homeowner insurance cover tree damage?
Home insurance can cover damage caused by cut trees. However, this is usually only the case when the risk of the covered policy causes a fall. Let’s say a tree falls into a severe storm, tornado, blizzard, or lightning strike and hits one of the other isolated structures of your home or your property. Your home insurance can help with repairing them. If the cut tree is on your property, your insurance company will need to meet your insurance deduction to cover the remaining repairs. If property damage is caused by fallen trees during a hurricane, losses apply to deductible wind decorations rather than standard policy deductibles.
Importantly, most household insurers don’t pay for the removal of trees and shrubs. Covered danger Blocks covered structures or driveways or handicap access. However, since all policies are different, consider talking to your insurance agent about insurance coverage and insurance coverage before tree damage occurs.
Tree damage is usually covered with home insurance.
- storm
- hail
- Snow and ice
- Fire caused by lightning
Tree damage is not usually covered by home insurance:
- corruption
- year
- Lack of maintenance
- flood
- earthquake
When does homeowner insurance cover tree removal?
Homeowner insurance typically covers tree removal for home or detached property structures if it falls due to covered dangers. Some situations where removal may be covered are:
- If the tree falls into your home itself, garage, gazebo, etc. Insurance structure
- If a fallen tree blocks the driveway
- If a fallen tree blocks a handicap accessible lamp
Your policy includes compensation for damage caused by fallen trees and more limited financial protection to remove the trees themselves. If the tree hits the insured structure, there is a certain amount of the policy allocated for the cost of removing the tree. The amount of range you have depends on the details of your policy, but in general you can expect between $500-1,000.
What factors affect tree damage costs?
Several factors that can affect costs associated with tree damage:
- Tree type
- Tree age
- Tree size
- Tree health
- Property location
- Equipment and labor
- Number of trunks
Tree removal costs vary widely. Depending on the size, species and location of the tree, it is expected to cost anywhere between $350 and $5,000. Perhaps they’ll pay more for larger trees or trees that are hard to reach. Emergency trees removal can also be more expensive.
Will home insurance rise after submitting a tree damage claim?
In most cases, yes. Every time you file a claim with your home insurance, you can usually expect a premium to increase when your policy is renewed. How much the premium increases depends on the extent of the damage. Generally, household insurance offers more, more Expensive billing will bring you a higher premium hike.
A good way to determine whether it is worth filing a home insurance claim for tree damage is to look at the deductibles of your insurance policy. If the repair costs are deducted or less from your home insurance, it may be more economical to pay for the repair. This helps you maintain your premium level.
Does homeowner insurance cover tree damage to neighbor’s property?
If trees from your neighbor’s property fall into your home due to covered risks, your homeowner’s insurance may cover the resulting damages. However, if the tree is already dead or corrupted and the neighbor is negligent, the insurance company should be liable for the costs.
If the trees you own on your property fall into your neighbor’s house and cause damage, their home insurance can cover the costs unless it is already corrupted or visibly damaged. In that case, your neighbor may try to establish on your side by not removing the tree on your side, and you may need to cover the cost yourself.
How does the proxy work if my neighbor’s tree damages my property?
Subrogation refers to the process in which an insurance company pursues a claim against a third party, often another insurance company. It may be used when your neighbor’s tree falls on your property and damages your home or other structure.
If your neighbor’s tree appears to have fallen because it was negligent in its care, they may be liable for the damages. The insurance company may make the initial payment, but will follow up by seeking a refund from your neighbor’s insurance company through the subrogation process. If they succeed, you may be refunded the deduction you initially paid when your claim is paid.
How to prevent damage to the tree
Regularly assessing the health of the tree on your property and taking precautions is the best way to avoid damage to the tree. Below are some ways you can stop the damage to the tree before it occurs.
- Lay trees with particularly long branches regularly.
- Check for signs that your tree is dead or dying by observing a lack of leaves and hollow trunks all year round.
- To rule out rot, look for mushrooms, cracks, or holes at the base of the tree trunk.
- Consider removing trees that are tilted from the center as they may be likely to fall.
- Pay particular attention to the trees hanging down on roofs, driveways, sidewalks and streets that abut the house.
- Consider having a tree expert examine the trees on your property regularly to look for signs of disease or decay, or to find signs of preventive maintenance.
