A home surrounded by trees is a picturesque scene that can make even small residential home lots feel a little more natural.
Yet those trees can cause a great deal of damage when they fall on the house or drop large branches on the roof.
Depending on the size of the branch or tree and where it falls, the damage can be extensive, requiring tens of thousands of dollars worth of repairs.
The bigger question then becomes - will homeowners insurance cover it?
Did It Happen During A Covered Loss?
While not every homeowner's insurance policy sold by an insurance agency is the same, most seem to cover the damage caused by trees or tree branches and other objects falling on the house if it occurred as a result of a covered loss.
To confirm this, homeowners can speak to their insurance agent if they feel they are at risk for this type of damage or add it to their policy if they are not already protected against it.
What If A Neighbor's Tree Falls On My House?
What if the tree that fell on a policyholder's house belongs to a neighbor - whose insurance agency is responsible for paying the damage claim?
If the tree fell as the result of what would normally be a covered peril, the neighbor’s insurance policy is not required to pay that damage claim.
On the other hand, if the tree fell due to some kind of negligence by the neighbor, that person's insurance should pay for the damage.
Homeowners who have had their houses damaged by a neighbor’s tree should contact their own insurance agents to file a claim and seek reimbursement from their neighbor's insurance.
What About Fallen Trees and Cars?
What about a tree or limb falling on a car?
A car insurance policy will only pay for the damage caused by falling trees or tree limbs if the policy includes comprehensive coverage.
Unfortunately, in cases where there is no comprehensive coverage on the vehicle, the homeowner’s policy typically will not cover it.
If the tree belongs to a neighbor and negligence can somehow be proven, their homeowner's liability insurance might cover the vehicle, but it will depend on the circumstances.
See an Experienced Homeowners Insurance Agent For Help
Generally speaking, falling trees or branches are considered to be acts of nature that no one is responsible for.
The owner of the home or vehicle that is damaged can file a claim with their own insurance agency to have the damage repaired.
Knowing this, home and vehicle owners who are at risk of damage from trees falling should ensure their policies have the right coverage to protect them should it happen.
Adding this protection to a homeowners insurance or vehicle policy in areas where there are many trees or where severe weather is common, can be an inexpensive solution just in case.