With weather patterns changing we all need to check our policies to see what is covered.
During intense windstorms, trees, shrubs and branches can easily become airborne projectiles. This can cause considerable damage to property – from broken windows, damaged roofs and even structural damage. If a tree crashes on your home, damaging any part of it, you can file a claim with your insurance company. Your standard homeowner’s insurance policy may cover your home or other insured structures, such as a detached garage, and its contents, if a tree falls by wind, lightning or hail.
Should your neighbor’s fallen tree be responsible for damaging your home, a process known as subrogation may be used by your insurance company to collect from his insurer for the damage it caused and their payout to you. However, you will normally have to pay the preset deductible as stated in your policy before work will begin.
On the bright side, if an insurer is successful in proving the neighbor’s tree was in poor health or lacked proper maintenance, you may be eligible for a reimbursement of your deductible.
Depending on your policy, you may also be covered for the cost of removing the tree. These amounts can range from about $500 to $1000, if your insured house or garage is damaged by the tree. But, if there’s no damage to any covered structures, the cost of tree removal may be your responsibility – unless your insurance company opts to pick up the tab.
What about if a tree falls onto your car on your property? Your auto insurance and not your homeowner’s insurance will cover the repairs for damage to your vehicle. But, because every insurance company is different, you may not be covered for the cost of removing the tree from your crushed car.
Be sure to check your policy and review it regularly so you know ahead of time what’s covered and what isn’t. That way you can make the appropriate adjustment to your policy to fill in any potential gaps in coverage.
You also want to make sure you’re not paying more than you should for your homeowners insurance by getting a free homeowners insurance quote today!
