Homeowners insurance is there to financially protect you, your home, and your belongings in the event of weather damage, fire, theft, and vandalism. If you have trees on your property, what if a tree falls and needs to be removed? Will your homeowners insurance cover the cost of removal? In this article, Kingsport arborists at Promier Tree looks at different situations you’re your homeowner’s insurance will pay for tree removal—and when it won’t. Keep in mind that not all situations and insurance policies are the same and may vary. So, it’s important to consult with your homeowners insurance company on specifics regarding coverage for fallen trees on your property.
When your insurance should pay for tree removal
Typically, determining if a homeowners policy will cover the cost of tree removal is based on two factors: what caused the fall and if any other insured property was damaged in the incident.
The situations where homeowners insurance should cover the costs include:
- If the tree falls on your home and damages any part of the house
- If the tree falls on a garage that is attached to the home
- If the fallen tree is blocking your driveway
- If the tree fell on or damaged a wheelchair ramp, making your home inaccessible for residents with a disability
There are a few situations where your insurance might cover the cost of tree removal. If your policy includes coverage for other structures in your property, which might be listed as “Coverage B,” then your insurance will pay for tree removal.
Certain scenarios also exist where your insurance company should pay for tree removal, whether the tree damaged anything or not. These situations relate to what caused the tree damage. If the tree is damaged by lightning, explosion, fire, vandalism, riot, or a fallen aircraft, you should be reimbursed for the cost of tree removal by your insurer.
When your insurance will not pay for tree removal
A homeowners insurance policy is likely not going to cover the costs of tree removal in these situations. The common trait here is that the tree did not damage any other property.
In these instances, you will be responsible for the financial cost of tree removal
- When a tree falls due to wind, a snowstorm, hail, or ice
- When flooding or an earthquake make a tree fall
- When a tree falls due to disease, old age, or death
Insurance typically will not cover removal costs if a tree that is on your property falls on your neighbor’s home. In these cases, your neighbor’s homeowner insurer gets stuck with the bill, though there are exceptions—such as if you were in the process of cutting the tree yourself or if the tree fell due to neglect on your part.
Working with your insurer on tree removal
In any situation where a tree falls, even if your homeowner policy does cover the cost, you can expect to pay something out of pocket. This is because any homeowners coverage has a deductible, which is money you have to pay before your coverage kicks in for any remaining cost. Many homeowner policies also limit tree removal costs, usually at $500 or $1,000, although this may vary by policy. If the cost of removal exceeds your coverage limit, you’ll be paying any remainder in addition to your deductible.
Tree Removal in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
The best way to know for sure if your policy covers tree removal is to examine your insurance documents. In the event of tree damage, you need to trust the job to professionals like us. We understand that tree damage doesn’t occur on your schedule; that’s why we offer emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all throughout the year. To find out more, contact us today by calling (423) 765-2626.