With some of the most unstable weather in Northern Ohio in a decade, the question we hear quite often is about fallen branches and whole trees causing damage on personal property. Who is responsible, and better yet are you covered?
Fortunately for all, the answer is straightforward. If a tree hits a home or other insured structure such as a detached garage, standard homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for the damage the tree does to the structure and the contents within it. This includes trees felled by a windstorm, hail, weight of ice, snow or sleet.
Furthermore, it does not matter whether or not a tree was actually growing on your property; if it lands on your home, you should file a claim with your insurance company. After a hurricane or windstorm trees, shrubs and branches can become projectiles capable of traveling significant distances. Insurance companies do not waste time trying to locate exactly where the tree originally lived.
There are some instances where insurance companies may pursue the insurance of the property where the tree was located. But that will not effect a homeowner from getting damaged repaired as it is a company to company matter. In most instances, unless the tree of a neighboring property were known to be in poor health of in danger of falling, the damaged properties insurance would be responsible.
If a tree hits an insured structure, there is also coverage for the cost of removing the tree, generally up to about $500 to $1,000, depending on the insurer and the type of policy purchased. If the fallen tree did not hit an insured structure, there is generally no coverage for debris removal; however, some insurance companies may pay for the cost of removing it if the felled tree blocks a driveway or a ramp designed to assist the handicapped.
Cars damaged or destroyed by falling trees are covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy.
For more detailed information about your coverage or for any question you may have please contact TEAM ATD
(A special thanks and acknowledgement to www.ohioinsurance.org for source material)
