Managing tree removal resulting from a storm, disease or accidental damage may be a troublesome, and costly chore for homeowners. Given the expense involved, homeowners are wondering if their insurance will cover the removal of trees. Being aware of the detail of your homeowner’s insurance is very important in deciding whether or not these costs may be covered.
Understanding Homeowners Insurance
Homeowners insurance aims at ensuring your assets are protected from all moisture, fire, theft and other perils of nature. However, its extent of coverage depends on the type of policy and the type of damage/ event.
Policy Variations
Insurance policies have differed greatly, so study your own plan. Not all policies are the same, and the things which may be covered under a policy does not necessarily have to be covered under another. Normally, if a tree damages your home or any other covered structure then homeowner’s insurance will cover its removal.
Tree Removal and Damage
While it’s important to look for the difference between the destruction of the tree and the destruction caused by the tree, when determining whether or not your insurance will cover tree removal.
Damage Caused by Tree
If a tree falls over and smashes up your home or anything else a covered building such as a fence or a garage, your insurance is more likely to pay to have the tree removed. The logic is that it is needed to remove a tree to repair the covered structure.
Example Scenario
Picture a storm breaking a tree in your backyard and ruining your roof. In this scenario, your homeowner’s insurance would cover this incident as the tree removal is crucial for including the roof for the repair of your home that is covered.
Tree Is Just Blocking a Driveway or Lawn
On the other hand, if a tree falls and only blocks your driveway or lawn without destroying a covered structure, insurance companies don’t take care of the removal costs. Such conditions are usually regarded as routine home maintenance.
Exclusions and Deductibles
Even though your insurance policy may cover tree removal in the event it has been damaged there are situations that it will not cover tree removal and there are also deductibles to be considered.
Policy Exclusions
Insurance policies usually have a number of exclusions. For example, a tree fell because of poor maintenance and if you can show that the tree was a hazard that you knew existed, that insurance firm may reject your claim.
Deductibles
Before your insurance starts to cover the costs, you will probably have to pay a deductible. The deductible is how much you agree to pay out of your own pocket when you file a claim. For instance, if your deductible is $500 and the total price to remove something is $1,500, you will pay $500 and the insurance will take in the remaining $1,000.
Special Considerations
Disease or Decay
Covering trees which fall through disease or decay, can be challenging. There may also be some policies which would disqualify the affected individual unless the tree had been adequately maintained. However, in the event of unexpected collapse of a tree injuring a covered structure, there are some insurers that would cover for it even though there is decay.
Tree Removal Before Planting
Insurance coverage should be one of the considerations of homeowners when planting new trees. Make sure trees are not planted near to power lines and roofs so that there won’t be any further complications in the future.
Additional Coverage
Some homeowners opt for different coverage of trees and shrubs. This is beneficial if you have some valuable landscaping. Inquire from your insurer regarding this option.
What to Do When Damage is Done by Tree
In case your property is damaged by a tree, proceed to do the following to establish coverage and make a claim.
1. Assess the Damage: Look whether the tree has damaged a covered structure.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company: File a report on the incident and understand your coverage better.
3. Document Everything: Take photos and notes of the damage for yourselves and your claim for the insurance company.
4. Get an Estimate: Get estimates for tree removal and repairs to be submitted to your insurance company.
5. Hire Professionals: Engage professionals who use their license and insurance for tree removal to avoid accidents in addition to compliance with local authorities.
Depending on a variety of variables, such as the reason for the tree fall, the damage that results, and the details of your insurance policy, homeowner’s insurance can either cover or not cover tree removal. By knowing through your policy what is and what is not covered, what is and is not excluded, your aftermath of a tree-related incident will be far easier to manage. If you ever are in doubt, it’s always best to reach out to your insurance agent and seek an explanation for what your coverage is and what maybe some other things that would be well for your situation.
Being knowledgeable about your homeowner’s insurance policy will help you save time, money and give you an easy time of filing a claim in case you need tree removal.
