Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fallen Trees?

Homeowners insurance covers fallen trees when they damage your home or other insured structures, and it typically covers tree removal costs as well. If a tree falls due to a storm, lightning, or the weight of ice, the damage it causes is a covered claim. However, if a tree falls in your yard and does not hit anything, there may be limited or no coverage.

When fallen trees are covered

• Tree falls on your house: If a tree damages your roof, walls, or any part of your dwelling, the structural damage is covered under dwelling coverage and tree removal is included in the claim.
• Tree falls on other structures: Damage to a detached garage, shed, fence, or pool from a fallen tree is covered under your other structures coverage.
• Tree blocks your driveway: Many policies cover the cost to remove a tree that blocks a driveway or accessible entrance to your home, even if no structure was damaged.
• Neighbor's tree falls on your property: If your neighbor's tree falls on your home, you file a claim on your own homeowners policy. Your insurer may then subrogate against your neighbor's policy if negligence is involved.

When fallen trees are not covered

• Tree falls but hits nothing: If a tree falls in your yard and does not damage any structures, most policies do not cover the removal cost. Some policies include a small allowance — typically $500 to $1,000 per tree — for removal even without structural damage, but this varies.
• Dead or diseased trees: If the tree was clearly dead or diseased and you knew about it, the insurer may deny the claim on the grounds of negligence. Homeowners have a responsibility to maintain their trees.
• Landscaping damage: Trees, shrubs, and landscaping damaged by a fallen tree are covered only under limited circumstances and at lower limits than structural damage.

Tree removal costs

Professional tree removal typically costs $200 to $2,000 depending on the size, location, and complexity. When the tree has damaged an insured structure, removal is part of the covered claim. When it has not, check your policy for any tree removal sub-limits. Some policies cover up to $500 or $1,000 per tree for removal even without structural damage.

What Truscott recommends

Maintain the trees on your property. Trim dead branches, remove diseased trees, and document their condition. This protects your home and strengthens your position if you need to file a claim. At Truscott, we review your property's tree risks as part of our coverage assessment. Request a Truscott policy checkup and we will make sure your coverage accounts for the trees around your home.