If you’re keeping an eye on an old, large or fragile tree on your property, you may be wondering what your home insurance can do for you in terms of preventative tree removal costs. Learn where home insurance overlaps with tree maintenance and removal—and where it doesn’t—to help you make informed decisions about protecting your property.
Preventative tree removal and home insurance
Homeowners insurance does not cover preventative tree removal services because it’s considered part of home maintenance. An easy way to think about the role insurance plays in tree care: Preventative work is considered home maintenance, but when the unexpected storm or event happens, insurance is a tool that can help get your property back in order.
Tree maintenance is home maintenance—how to prevent a fallen tree incident
It’s the responsibility of the homeowner to prune trees, remove branches that are at risk of snapping, cut down branches that are in the way of electrical lines or pose other hazards and more. You can also hire a professional to assess and tend to your trees if you don’t feel comfortable or equipped to do it yourself.
In general, if a tree on your property falls from a scenario other than a covered peril in your insurance policy, such as negligence, your home policy likely won’t cover the damage.
There are several ways to maintain your trees and significantly reduce the risk of a fallen tree incident in the first place:
- Work with a local arborist to determine the health and needs of your tree
- Prune trees seasonally or annually, depending on tree type
- Remove branches that are at risk of falling on your home, shed, garage, fence or driveway
- Cut down hazardous branches that are too close to power and electrical lines
- Assess your trees regularly, especially after storms
Chris Karacalidis, Vice President of Property Claims, says, “The best way to prevent fallen trees or branches is to make tree maintenance an active part of your home maintenance routine. Pay close attention to where your tree branches grow and how they hang. A drooping branch may need your immediate attention. Being proactive about tree care can help prevent expensive home damage.”
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Are trees covered by insurance?
After a tree falls, home insurance may cover home damage and fallen tree removal, but there are several factors at play. Use this list of questions and answers to determine if your home insurance will cover fallen tree damage as well as tree removal and cleanup:
1. Who owns the tree?
Whether your neighbor’s tree falls on your property or your tree falls on your neighbor’s property, a standard homeowners insurance policy may cover the damage.
Here’s how it works: If your property is damaged after your neighbor’s tree falls, you should file a claim with your home insurance company. Your insurance company may decide to pursue subrogation, which is the process of seeking reimbursement from the responsible party’s (your neighbor’s) insurance company.
2. How or when did the tree fall?
Homeowners insurance coverage for fallen trees also depends on how or when the tree fell, or in other words, if the cause was a covered peril. Covered perils are typically events such as lightning, high winds, snow or ice. Like the name suggests, a covered peril can be covered by your home insurance policy. However, if a tree falls at random and if it could be proved the tree fell from neglect, the damage would not be covered.
Whether there was property damage from the fallen tree is also a factor. If your home, garage, shed, or fence is dented or crushed by a tree, your homeowners insurance may come into play.
To learn more about the covered perils in your home insurance policy, check out your Declarations Page or contact your Grange Independent Agent with questions.
3. Who pays for fallen tree removal?
Damage is one thing, but fallen tree removal and cleanup is a different part of the equation. Like we said earlier, homeowners insurance can cover fallen trees if the event was a covered peril on your home policy. That coverage would include repairs for your home plus fallen tree removal after you meet your home deductible.
Your home insurance policy may also include coverage for obstructions. For example, if your driveway or main entryway to your home is blocked by a fallen tree even though there was no damage to your home or garage, you may have coverage.
Read your policy’s coverage limits to get an accurate portrayal of fallen tree removal coverage. Talk to your Grange Independent Agent today to learn more.
Am I covered if a tree falls on my car?
It’s easy to assume when you’re parked at home and a tree falls on your car, homeowners insurance will answer the call for damage control. Actually, if a tree crushes your car, it’s your auto coverage that would cover the damage.
For fallen tree damage to your vehicle, comprehensive auto coverage and similar insurance endorsements will help you repair or replace your vehicle. For Grange customers, the Other Than Collision coverage offers protection for events like a tree crushing your vehicle as well as other non-collision events like fire, vandalism, theft or hail damage.
In the event you file an auto claim for fallen tree damage, it’s important to understand how your car insurance carrier will pay out for the claim. Learn about the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost to get a full picture.
References
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Bankrate
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Bankrate 2
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Insurance Information Institute (III)
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Policygenius
Coverages described herein may not be available in all states. Please contact a local independent Grange agent for complete details on coverages and discounts. If the policy coverage descriptions herein conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy applies. The material provided above is for informational, educational, or suggestion purposes and does not imply coverage. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO QUOTE ANY INDIVIDUAL PREMIUM RATE FOR THE INSURANCE HEREIN ADVERTISED. Grange Insurance policies are underwritten by Grange Insurance Company, Trustgard Insurance Company, Grange Indemnity Insurance Company, Grange Insurance Company of Michigan and Grange Property & Casualty Insurance Company*. Not all companies are licensed in all states. *Not licensed in Pennsylvania.