It's a Familiar Scenario: Storms Unleash Rain, Lightning, Snow, Ice, and Wind, Sometimes Proving Too Much for Trees.
Here’s what to do if a branch or tree lands on your property.
What to Do When a Tree Collapses onto Your House?
After the tree falls, take these three steps immediately.
1. Ensure Everyone Is Safe
Evacuate everyone (and your pets) from the house as soon as it’s safe to do so. If you have already packed an emergency kit — with supplies such as food, water, first aid, batteries, flashlights, copies of important documents and more — bring it along just in case.
Step 2: Dial 911 and Notify the Electric Utility Company if the Tree Has Affected Power Lines
Once you’re safely out of danger, check to see if the tree knocked down any power lines. If you smell smoke or see sparks or flames, call 911 immediately. If you have nearby neighbors, let them know what’s going on, too.
Carefully check to see if the tree is touching the power lines. If so, turn off the breaker. If the power is out, call the power company and let them know.
3. Prevent More Damage
When a tree falls on your house, it may break windows, damage your roof and siding, and even crash through bricks and mortar.
Where possible, tarp or board up any holes to keep the elements out. Don’t risk going on the roof, though, as that’s a job best left for professionals.
A fallen tree may also damage gas lines. If you suspect the fallen tree is hitting a gas line, turn the gas off at the meter and call the gas utility company.
Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Damages Caused by Falling Trees?
Once Safety Is Ensured and Your Home Is Protected, Documenting the Incident: Will Insurance Cover a Fallen Tree on Your Home?
It’s an important question, as the damage caused when the tree fell on house tends to be both extensive and expensive. After the storm has passed, start the process by gathering documentation for your claim.
Take pictures and videos of all the damage. Be sure to includes shots from different angles, both inside and outside the home.
Look for and document issues such as:
Broken windows
Damaged siding
Roof damage
Damage to your home’s contents
Structural damage
Damage to your landscaping
Next, call your insurance agent to start the claim process. The agency may send a claim adjuster to your home, or they may want you to provide them with estimates of work costs from several contractors.
In most cases, you’ll be responsible for paying a deductible. Take a look at your policy to determine how much you’ll have to pay. Deductibles often run into thousands of dollars, depending on the policy you purchased.
Policy Considerations: Potential Coverage for Repair Costs Minus Deductibles for 'Acts of Nature.
My Neighbor's Tree Fell on My Property: What Should I Do?
If a neighbor’s tree falls on your house, who’s responsible? The answer lies in the ownership of the tree, says NOLO.
As a general rule, if the trunk of the tree is on their property, they own it. If the trunk of the tree is on your property, it’s your tree.
When the Tree Straddles the Property Line: Shared Ownership and Responsibilities
Typically, in instances of a Fallen Tree, the Homeowner Whose Property Was Damaged Will Initiate a Claim on Their Own Insurance Policy. In Most Cases, Insurance Will Cover Repair Costs for Natural Causes
How Much Will Insurance Contribute to Tree Removal Costs?
Per the Insurance Information Institute, Most Homeowner's Policies Cover Tree Removal Expenses if It Damages an Insured Structure. Typically, Costs Range Between $500 and $1,000.
The specific amount insurance pays toward tree removal and repair depends on your homeowner’s policy. Be sure to read the fine print, and talk to your agent to get full details on what’s covered and what’s not.
A few key terms to understand include:
Limit: The highest amount your insurance will pay for a covered claim
Dwelling coverage: Pays for damage to your home
Other structures coverage: Pays for damage to structures such as sheds, detached garages, or fences
Identifying Trees at Higher Risk of Falling
Laws may vary from state to state but in most places, if a tree falls and causes property damage, the tree owner isn’t liable… if the tree falls due to an act of nature. However, if it’s determined that the tree fell due to the owner’s negligence, then the tree owner nay be held liable.
For instance, perhaps the tree’s trunk is on your neighbor’s property. For several years, a large, dead branch has stretched across property lines and hangs over your roof. You’ve asked your neighbor to trim it back several times, but they just never got around to it.
One day, the branch falls, causing damage to your roof and siding. In this case, the neighbor’s negligence likely caused the branch to fall. Therefore, the damage is their fault. You may be able to prevail in court in such a case.
Which Trees are More Likely to Fall?
But under certain conditions, any tree can become unbalanced and pose a risk. How can you tell if a tree is going to fall? Look for warning signs such as:
Injured trees
Rotting wood
Loss of branches on one side
Damaged roots
Trees that lean to one side after a windstorm
Trees that grow in saturated soil or boggy sites
Trees with roots that run under the pavement
Tall trees with heavy canopies
Trees that grow in shallow or rocky soil
For many homeowners, coming up with that kind of cash (or running up credit card debt) simply isn’t feasible. Fortunately, you have options: Sell your house to Creative Housing Duo.
Creative Housing Duo buys houses as-is. That means you don’t have to worry about paying for expensive repairs. Creative Housing Duo will provide you with a firm, same-day offer. In many cases, the sale will close within just two weeks.
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