5 Things to know about insurance coverage for fallen trees

This is the time of the year when the temperature remains cozy and flowers blossom. However, this is also the time of the year when rash winds blow and thunderstorms occur. According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, aggressive winds and thunderstorms are natural during Spring and Summer months. We are officially in the time we have been talking about. Spring has already arrived and it is time to review your homeowners, auto, and other insurance policies. See if your current policy covers when it comes to damage from fallen trees. Below are five significant things to check for and keep in mind:

1. What damages your insurance company is likely to cover?

If a tree falls on your property and damages one or more insured objects, your homeowners insurance is likely to cover for the costs of tree removal and damages for your home and other structures, like fences. For example, if strong winds knock down a tree over onto your roof or a tree falls on your fence due to lightning, you are eligible to get coverage for the damages. However, if any tree falls due to your negligence, you may not receive any coverage. Hence, check this season if all the trees within and close to your property are in good shape.

2. What if there is no damage?

If there is no damage, there will be likely no coverage. You may think that your insurer will come to cover for the removal costs of any fallen tree. However, this is not always true. If any tree falls on your property without damaging any of the insured structures, you may have to bear the costs of removal on your own. This has to be a fresh one and not an aftershock.

3. Should you still file a claim if the municipality cleans up the trees that fall into the street?

Your city authority or municipality may clean up the trees that fall into the streets. However, still you may need to file a claim. Even if any third party takes the responsibility, they may clean up only certain portions of the streets. Cleaning up any of the fallen trees that lies on your property is completely your responsibility and you may claim for insurance if any insured structure got damaged.

4. What if your neighbor’s tree falls in your property damaging your insured structures?

If a fallen tree damages your insured property, your homeowners insurance have to come to your rescue no matter who owned the tree. However, depending on circumstances, your insurance carrier may try to recover some costs from your neighbor’s insurance.

5. What if your car is heavily damaged from a fallen tree?

If a tree falls onto your car, it’s car insurance and not your home insurance which will be responsible to cover the cost for the damages. No matter where the tree was located, you will get coverage if it was not due to your negligence. However, you won’t be compensated for the costs to remove the tree from atop your car. Undoubtedly, each insurer has it’s own ways to handle fallen tree cases. It all depends on your particular circumstances, your policy particulars, and coverage limits. For more details you should check with the policy, your insurance agent or company.