Home Insurance Articles
How Trees On Your Property Affect Your Home Insurance Policy
2010-01-31
Trees can make a yard beautiful. This natural beauty, however, can cause ugly circumstances. It can fall and damage either you or your neighbor's property. When this situation occurs, you have a bigger issue: Whose home insurance will cover it?
Though this issue may seem complicated, it is actually simple. Your home insurance policy is provided to protect your property and not your neighbor's. Therefore, when a tree falls on your property and damages other structures such as a fence, then your insurance provider will cover the damages and repairs. In addition, your homeowner's insurance will pay for the tree's removal. It does not matter if the tree fell due to bad weather or it was rotted, this responsibility lies with your insurance company. However, there is a twist to this matter. If this same tree falls in your yard and not on your property or structure, then the insurance company is not financially responsible. This is because there was no damage to your property or structure. Therefore, despite your home being insured, you are responsible for this fallen tree's removal.
As mentioned earlier, your policy protects your property, not your neighbor's. So if your tree falls in your neighbor's yard, then their insurance will cover the damage and repairs necessary. Again, there is a twist: your neighbor's insurance company could seek financial recovery from your insurance provider. Even worse, your neighbor could sue you for negligence in taking care of the tree. If the courts find you guilty of this claim, then your insurance company will pay for your court ordered damages. This information is covered in your policy's liability. Check it thoroughly to see how it works if such a disaster were to occur. The good news, however, is that you are unlikely to face a premium increase from your insurance company based on this incident.
So it clearly does not matter who owns the fallen tree. The interest lies more so in who's property it damages. Therefore, be a smart property owner concerning what's on your property. If you have a tree that looks like it is rotting or is leaning, have it removed immediately. Call various tree companies in your area for a good estimate. If your neighbor has a tree that looks like it might fall, do the neighborly thing by informing them. Let them know you're concerned about the tree damaging your property. Furthermore, when you're getting home insurance quotes, mention this concern to your agent. They can guide you for liability coverage. Enjoy your beautiful trees without later facing their ugly consequences.