Are Trees Covered by Home Insurance?

Homeowners insurance protects homes and belongings from unexpected events. While trees are part of many properties, their coverage under a home insurance policy involves specific considerations. The circumstances surrounding tree damage significantly influence whether an insurance claim will be covered.

When Home Insurance Covers Tree Damage

Home insurance policies provide coverage when a tree or its branches cause direct damage to insured structures on your property. This includes your house, detached garage, shed, and fencing. The damage must stem from a “covered peril,” specific events listed in your policy. Common covered perils include windstorms, lightning strikes, fire, and the weight of ice, snow, or sleet.

Coverage applies when the damage is “sudden and accidental” rather than a result of gradual deterioration. If a healthy tree is toppled by a strong wind and damages your roof, your policy would cover repairs to your home. This also extends to damage to personal property inside the home if a tree falls due to a covered peril.

Debris removal costs are covered if the tree caused damage to an insured structure or blocked a driveway or ramp used for disabled access. Policies include a specific sub-limit for debris removal, ranging from $500 to $1,000, which may be part of or in addition to dwelling coverage. If a neighbor’s tree falls on your property and causes damage, your own homeowners insurance policy is responsible for covering the damage to your property. Your insurer may seek reimbursement from your neighbor’s insurance if their negligence contributed to the tree’s fall.

Understanding Coverage Limitations and Exclusions

Despite the coverage for certain tree-related incidents, home insurance policies have clear limitations and exclusions. Damage from a tree’s slow decline, such as disease, insect infestation, rot, or neglect, is not covered. These issues are considered preventable maintenance responsibilities, not sudden and accidental events.

Preventative tree removal is excluded from coverage. If a tree is leaning, diseased, or poses a threat without having caused damage, its removal cost is the homeowner’s responsibility. Insurers expect homeowners to maintain their property to prevent foreseeable damage.

Coverage for living trees, shrubs, and plants, when no structural damage occurs, is limited. These items have low per-item limits, around $500 to $750 per tree or plant, with an overall maximum limit, such as 5% of dwelling coverage. Coverage for trees and shrubs is restricted to specific perils like fire, lightning, explosion, theft, vandalism, or damage by vehicles not owned by the insured, excluding wind or hail damage to the plants.

Homeowners must also consider their deductible, the amount paid out-of-pocket before coverage begins. The deductible applies to tree damage claims just like other property claims. Even when debris removal is covered, it falls under a specific sub-limit, which can range from $500 to $1,000, and this amount may not cover the entire cost of extensive removal.