If a Tree Falls in the Forest, Does My Insurance Pay?

Much of the country fell victim to Mother Nature's tremendous winds last week.  In the light of day, many of us found twigs, branches and sometimes entire trees had been downed in the storm.  As we begin cleanup and assess damage, the question comes to mind - "Does my insurance pay for any of this?"

Several scenarios come to mind.  First, if your tree is blown down in your yard and hits nothing or no one - yea!  Thank you Mother Nature for not hurting anyone or damaging anything.  However, most home insurance policies will provide no coverage for this situation - boo!  Most policies require that a covered structure be damaged or a driveway or a handicap access ramp be blocked by the tree in order for any debris removal coverage to apply.  So, if a tree is merely blown down in the yard, no coverage for removing the tree is available.

Second situation - If your tree is blown down and damages your neighbor's structure or car, will your insurance respond?  If you are legally liable for the tree blowing down, yes, your liability insurance will cover your neighbor's damage and expenses.  How could you be liable for a tree blowing over?  Isn't that an Act of God?  The only way you could be liable is if you were negligent in regards to the care of the tree; i.e. if the tree was known to be dead or dying.  As a a prudent homeowner, you have a duty to take care of your property so that no one or their property is damaged.

So, in the instance where an Act of God puts your tree on your neighbor's property, your neighbor's insurance will have to respond.  This has caused many neighborhood feuds, I can assure you.  Especially when Neighbor Hatfield does not carry "full" coverage on his car and Neighbor McCoy's tree smashes the car, courtesy of Mother Nature.

Third situation - Your tree is blown over and falls smack dab on top of your home.  Thank goodness no one was injured during the fall, but you have a 100 year old oak tree laying on your two-story home.  Who is going to pay for that?  Subject to your deductible, your home policy will pay for the damage to your home, removal of the tree from the house and then a maximum of $500 for removal of the tree from the premises.

Bottom line, trees are a "sticky wicket" when it comes to home insurance.  Make sure you are working with a Trusted Advisor so that you can receive all of the coverage you are entitled to when Mother Nature blows through your neighborhood!



Remember, a mailbox, a fence and a gazebo are "structures".