What is usually covered
If a tree falls on your home because of a covered event, such as wind, lightning or the weight of ice or snow, your homeowners policy will typically cover:
- Roof repairs
- Structural damage
- Interior damage caused by the opening in the roof
- Temporary emergency repairs, like tarping, to prevent further damage
If you can’t live in the home
Most homeowners policies include additional living expense (ALE) coverage. It helps pay for a hotel or temporary housing, and certain extra costs, while repairs are being completed.
The surprise: removing the tree
Standard homeowners policies often provide only limited coverage for tree removal, commonly $500 to $1,000 per tree, sometimes with an overall cap for the entire claim.
Removing a large tree from a roof can easily cost $5,000 to $15,000 or more, especially when a crane is needed. That can leave homeowners with a significant out-of-pocket bill even when the rest of the claim is covered.
Not all policies are created equal
Higher-end carriers often provide broader debris removal coverage and other enhancements that make a real difference after a major loss. If you live on a heavily wooded lot, that difference can matter more than a small premium savings. See our Private Client options.
What about a tree that falls without hitting anything?
Coverage for removing a tree that falls in the yard without damaging a covered structure is usually very limited or not covered at all, except in certain cases, like blocking a driveway. Policies vary, so ask.
What about my neighbor’s tree?
If a neighbor’s healthy tree falls on your home in a storm, your own policy generally handles the damage. If the tree was dead or obviously neglected, the neighbor may be responsible, and your carrier may pursue them.
Before the next storm, it’s worth asking one simple question: do you actually know what your homeowners policy covers? Send us your policy and we’ll tell you.