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Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Damage?

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Published on September 12, 2022. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

We have insurance to help us pay for damage caused by many of Mother Nature's curveballs, but what if the curveball is a branch or, worse still, a whole tree? Understanding how and when your home, property, or homeowner's insurance policy covers the damage is essential, whether the weather uproots a tree in its whole or only a few branches fall off due to the weather. Is injury from falling trees covered by homeowner's insurance? Today, we'll look at these topics on fire, flood and earthquake insurance and more - keep reading!

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Damage?

An underwriter will schedule an inspection when you acquire a home insurance policy and regularly during the policy's duration. The inspection yields a report and photographs of the property. If the review shows dead trees, the underwriter will recommend or demand that the tree be pruned back or removed (depending on the severity/location of the problem—e.g., branches hanging over the home, shed, pool, etc.). Your insurance might be cancelled or won't be renewed if you don't follow the rules. Additionally, if a claim is filed and it is shown that you did not take the advised measures, the claim may reject.

Tree Damages that are Usually Covered by All Home Insurance Plans:

1. What happened to cause the tree to fall?

To be covered by your insurance, the tree must have been removed by a risk covered by your policy. A "peril" is an incident, such as a fire or windstorm threatening to harm your house or personal goods.

While various carriers and procedures may cover different risks, they usually cover the most basic ways a tree or limb might fall or harm property. This might be wind from a violent storm or hurricane, but it could also be lightning, explosions, vandalism, etc.

2. How is the structural damage insured?

Your property's level of security, including the strength of your fences and other barriers, should also be carefully considered. Remember that the same insurance policy will not cover every structure on your property. Remember that not every building on your property is insured using the same method. Your tool shed, for instance, may not need the same kind of insurance that your house does to protect against specific perils whether a building includes in the dwelling the other structure. Or outbuilding, these designations influence the types of risks for which insurance coverage is provided. Apart from the main home, properties might refer to other structures or outbuildings (your house). A separate premium may require other structure coverage, but you may protect other buildings from the same perils as your house. Depending on the risks involved, detached structures may need to schedule independently.

3. Was the tree in a bad state before the incident?

A fine, healthy tree blown over by a storm and damaging your insured property is probably covered. However, if you have a tree that has been dead for years and might collapse at any time, such an occurrence may not cover it.

This is because house insurance does not cover losses caused by maintenance problems or a lack thereof. That is why it is critical to constantly trim trees, remove dead branches, and ensure that they are carefully removed if they may cause harm to property.

Tree Damages that are Usually Not Covered by All Home Insurance Plans:

While adding trees to your property may boost its value, doing so might be expensive. Typical house insurance covers shrub and tree damage caused by accidents or catastrophes such as:

● Lightning

● Fire

● Theft

● Explosions

● Earthquake

● Someone else's car

If certain events occur, your home insurance will cover your house and any additional buildings on your land, such as a shed or fence, and earthquake insurance. When a tree falls due to wind, hail, or lightning, the damage is typically covered by your home's insurance policy. The cause of the tree damage is an essential consideration in evaluating whether or not your repairs will pay.

Is Tree Removal Covered Under Home Insurance Plans?

In some instances, home insurance may cover tree damage and removal. Generally, if a tree or branch falls on your house, a detached building such as a garage or shed, or blocks your driveway, your insurance may pay the removal up to your policy maximum. However, the cause of the tree's collapse is significant. Reduction may cover if a tree falls on your house, an outbuilding, or your driveway; nevertheless, only if it hits your home, a shed, or your driveway:

● Windstorm

● Storms with hail

● Because of the weight of ice or snow

● The fire caused by lightning

● Other dangers covered by your insurance

 

But keep in mind that every policy is unique. Discuss the contents of your insurance with your agent to better understand what is covered.

Damage to Your House or Property Due to Someone Else’s Tree:

If your neighbour’s tree happens to fall on your property, you need to file a claim with their insurance provider. The insurer would take care of all the associated expenses for the same if the tree did topple over unnaturally or due to a natural disaster. However, if the tree fell due to your neighbour’s negligence, the insurer might not admit the claim. In that case, your neighbour would be responsible for bearing the costs for repairing your house.

How to File a Home Insurance Claim?

If a tree damages your property or house due to any natural calamity, you can simply file a home insurance claim by following this process:

1. Inform the insurer about the incident at the earliest and get a claim registration number.

2. Take pictures as proof of the incidence.

3. Provide all details and documents necessary for the claim.

4. A surveyor might be appointed by your insurance company to physically verify the damage and estimate the associated costs for the repair work.

5. Once the claim is approved, a certain cost would be provided for the repair work.

6. You would be required to submit all original documents and bills for the actual repair work to the insurer for the claim to be settled in your favour.

How Do You Prevent Any Damage to Property Due to Trees?

Much of the property damage caused by trees is generally covered by insurance. In general, if a tree falls on your house or another insured property, the damage to the structure and its contents is covered by your standard home insurance policy.

Trees that are correctly picked, planted, and maintained may offer excellent wind protection for a home, lowering heating expenses and noise from neighbours and traffic. Homeowners may receive these advantages while avoiding significant harm by investing time and effort in planting and upkeep.

To reduce damage from your trees, keep them healthy and adequately prepare them for cold weather and storms.

Conclusion

Your standard homeowner's insurance will cover the structure and any damages if a tree falls on your home or another insured building, such as a detached garage. This is true for trees toppled by wind, lightning, or hail. Read our above guide about tree damage, thunder, storm, and earthquake insurance coverage.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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