Does Insurance Cover Storm Damage To Trees?

Homeowners insurance may cover damage caused by a fallen tree, branch, or limb to your home and/or other structures on your property. This could also include coverage when damage is caused by a neighbor’s tree falling onto your property. However, if the neighbor’s tree fell due to negligence, their insurance may cover the damage costs.

Will Home Insurance Cover Tree Damage To Your House Or Property?

Homeowners insurance may pay for any damage to your home, belongings, or other structures on your property minus your homeowners insurance deductible, if the tree falls due to factors outside of a homeowner’s control. It is also possible for the insurance provider to pay for the removal and cleanup of the tree(s).

If the fallen tree was due to your negligence, however, you may be on the hook for the damage and removal costs. No matter how the damage occurred, it’s always best to take as many pictures of the damage as possible before submitting an insurance claim.

Here is a quick breakdown of tree damage coverage scenarios:

Will Insurance Cover Fallen Trees From A Neighbor’s Yard?

If a tree from your neighbor’s property falls in your yard due to a covered peril, homeowners insurance will likely cover the resulting damage to your home, property, or surrounding structures. In the event a tree falls without causing any damage, removal and cleanup is your responsibility, regardless if the tree was clearly rotting or dead.

Of course, you can always ask for the neighbor’s assistance in covering the costs, but if they decline, the costs may ultimately fall on you.

Does Insurance Cover Your Tree Falling On A Neighbor’s House?

If your tree falls on a neighbor’s house, it is possible that their insurance will cover the damage. However, if your tree was visibly rotting or damaged, the neighbor could try to prove you were negligent by not removing the tree sooner.

If you are found liable, your insurance may have to cover the damage costs. If your tree fell on their property without causing any damage, their insurance may cover removal expenses.

Does Insurance Cover Tree Removal?

It depends on the circumstances. Home insurance does not cover the cost of removing a tree that has not yet fallen. You’re responsible for paying for general maintenance of your home and yard, such as pruning trees or removing a dying tree. But if a tree fell in a storm and damaged the house, home insurance generally would pay for repairs to fix the damage and for removal of the tree.

What if the tree simply fell in the backyard without damaging any structures? Then, you would have to pick up the tab. Home insurance generally does not cover the removal of the tree unless it falls on a fence, garage or home and causes damage.

Conclusion

Homeowners insurance will not help you remove any tree that could potentially damage your property or the surrounding areas. Keeping up with regular yard maintenance, including tree pruning when necessary, can prevent tree damage.

If a tree falls and causes damage, your provider could possibly deny your claim due to negligence, as previously mentioned.