Fallen Trees & Homeowners
Updated January 1, 1 . AmFam Team
Roots usually keep trees firmly in the ground and standing upright. But sometimes — such as when high winds, lightning strikes or if a tree isn’t properly taken care of — those roots aren’t strong enough to hold the tree, which means it could potentially topple over and cause damage to your home. Depending on what caused the tree to fall, your homeowners insurance policy can help cover the disaster.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Damage?
If a tree falls on your home, your first step is to get you and your family to safety. Calling your insurance company should also be on the top of your to-do list. They’ll determine if your home insurance will help cover the damage.
Usually, your homeowners insurance policy covers damage if a tree on your or someone else's property falls on your home.
Is Tree Damage From A Neighbor Covered By Insurance?
During storms, trees and tree branches can cause significant damage to your home. If your neighbor’s tree fell on your house, you might be left wondering who’s responsible to pay the damages. It may not seem fair, but if your neighbor’s tree falls onto your property after a wind storm (or other covered peril) and causes damage, it’s your responsibility to file a claim with your insurance company.
And, if your neighbor’s rotting tree fell on your property, you’ll still be the one to file a claim with your insurance company. Your insurance company will investigate, and if they believe the neighbor was negligent and legally liable for the tree falling, the neighbor and their insurance company may have to pay for the damages, rather than you and your insurance company.
If the situation is reversed and a tree on your property damages your neighbor’s property, it works the same way: Your neighbor may want to consider filing a claim with their insurance company. If their insurance company finds that the tree fell because you didn’t maintain it, you and your insurance company may be responsible for the covering those dmages.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Removal?
If a tree fell because of something like lightning, fire or damage from a vehicle, we’ll pay a limited amount to have the trees removed.
Protect Your Home from Tree Damage
Maintaining the health of the trees on your property is a good homeownership practice and helps to prevent damage that can happen during storms. By performing regular maintenance on your trees, you can lower the risk of a tree falling on your property. And, if you notice a tree on your property is starting to rot, get the tree removed right away to prevent costly damages down the road. Contact a local arborist or tree expert if you’re unsure about your trees. They can provide helpful advice and tree trimming services to ensure that your trees are not a hazard to your property.
Get proactive about your protection by having the right homeowners coverage in place — so if a tree does fall on your home, we can help you take care of the mess. Connect with an American Family Insurance agent (Opens in a new tab) to get protection today.
Related Articles
- 9 Steps to Create a Home Inventory for Insurance Claims
Your home is more than a roof over your head. It’s where your dreams grow, your family thrives and memories are made. But the possessions you keep inside are important, too.
Whether you’re renting an apartment or own your home, you’ve most likely got an insurance policy designed to protect your dwelling and the things inside. Should the unthinkable happen and you have to use that insurance policy, it’s important to have a plan in place. And a home inventory list is a great way to get started!
We’ll walk you through how to create a home inventory so — in the event of the unexpected — you’ll be more prepared and have a streamlined recovery.
What Is a Home Inventory?
Quite simply, a home inventory is a complete list of all the items, especially valuables, in and around your home. The best home inventories include photos, descriptions and dollar values of each of your belongings. The more detail, the better! It’ll help you provide a comprehensive list to your agent of items lost in the event your home is damaged or destroyed, allowing you to get the most out of your coverage.
When your describing the items in your list, remember that the more information, the better. Here’s a quick reference list of the type of information you should include in your home inventory list:
- An in-depth description of the items. For example, rather than writing down “diamond ring,” be more descriptive, such as: “an emerald cut diamond ring, with white gold shank, accent stones and initials inscribed below the bridge.”
- Make, model, and/or serial number of the items.
- Date of purchase, receipts and photos.
- Estimated replacement cost if you bought it today. Do note that the value of the items might be different today than it was when you first bought them. This is especially true with jewelry, and other valuables.
- Appraisals at time of purchase. Especially if your items were appraised for insurance purposes.
Why Do I Need a Home Inventory?
Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, everyone can benefit from a home inventory!
If you ever have to make a claim, a home inventory is a great asset to have, especially after stressful events like theft, storm damage or a fire (take a look at how one renter used their home inventory after facing an apartment fire).
When you make a claim, you typically submit information on everything that was lost — which can be difficult to do off the top of your head for all your possessions. Remembering to replace your TV or computer are no-brainers, but when it comes to remembering each piece of jewelry in your jewelry box, things tend to get overlooked. Having a personal property inventory will help, along with knowing how to properly insure your jewelry.
When you have your home inventory checklist, you know exactly what needs to be replaced, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your entire household is protected.
- Reasons Why a Roof Leaks
You’re admiring the rain from the comfort of your home when you notice a sound — the unmistakable drip of water dropping onto your floor. The first and hardest step is figuring out why your roof is leaking. And with these tips, you’ll find the culprit in no time!
Here’s Why Your Roof Is Leaking
The list of reasons why your roof is leaking may seem long, but don’t worry — when it comes to finding the leak and fixing it, the finding is the hardest part. And the good thing about these problems? They can all be fixed. Check out the list and see what’s troubling your roof:
Your roof is old
Roofs don’t last forever. Protecting your home and everything inside it from the elements comes with a cost. And with all that rain, snow, ice, wind and even sunlight wearing down your roof, it becomes more susceptible to leaks. Every roof will eventually need to be replaced, so learn more about how long your roof should last based on what it’s made of.
- How to Check Your Roof for Storm Damage
There’s no good time to find out your roof needs repair — but you may be able to mitigate that pain by routinely checking your roof for damage after severe weather. Waiting for a leak or damage to present itself gives the problem time to grow and worsen.
And sometimes, you’ll be faced with expensive roof and interior damage repairs if you’re not diligent. By being proactive and checking your roof for damage after severe weather hits can help your roof — and your savings — stay healthy.
