Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Landscaping Damage?

Homeowners insurance serves as a financial safeguard for property owners, primarily protecting the dwelling itself, personal belongings, and providing liability coverage. Understanding whether homeowners insurance applies to landscaping damage requires a closer look at policy specifics, as coverage is not always as straightforward as it might seem.

Understanding Homeowners Insurance and Landscaping Coverage

Homeowners insurance policies typically define landscaping to include elements such as trees, shrubs, plants, and lawns. This coverage is often distinct from the main dwelling or personal property coverage, usually included as a sub-limit within the policy.

Coverage for landscaping is commonly structured with an overall limit, often a percentage of the dwelling coverage. For instance, a policy might offer coverage for landscaping up to 5% of the total dwelling coverage. If a home is insured for $200,000, the landscaping coverage could be up to $10,000. Additionally, there are frequently per-item limits for individual trees, shrubs, or plants, often ranging from $500 to $1,000 per item.

Coverage for landscaping is generally tied to “named perils” rather than providing all-risk protection. This means damage must result from a specific event listed in the policy to be covered. While trees, plants, and shrubs are typically included, other outdoor structures like fences, detached sheds, or driveways are usually covered under the “Other Structures” section of a policy. Policyholders should review their declarations page to understand the specific limitations and covered items related to their landscaping.

Specific Covered Perils

Standard homeowners insurance policies generally extend coverage to landscaping damage caused by a defined set of “named perils.” These specific events are typically outlined in the policy and must be the direct cause of the damage for a claim to be considered.

Damage resulting from fire and lightning is commonly covered, protecting plants and trees from such destructive events. Other perils that often trigger coverage include explosions, vandalism, and malicious mischief, which encompass intentional harm to outdoor plants and features.

Theft of valuable plants or outdoor ornaments is also frequently a covered peril. Damage caused by vehicles not owned or operated by the insured or a resident of the household is also generally included.

Falling objects, such as a neighbor’s tree falling onto your landscaping, can also be covered, particularly if the falling object first damages a covered structure on your property. Additionally, damage arising from riots or civil commotion is typically included among the covered perils for landscaping.

Common Exclusions and Limitations

While homeowners insurance provides coverage for landscaping under specific circumstances, many common causes of damage are excluded from standard policies. Natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, are almost always excluded and require separate insurance policies or endorsements for coverage.

Damage caused by pests, insects, rodents, or disease is also typically not covered, as these issues are often considered preventable through maintenance. Normal wear and tear, deterioration, or neglect are common exclusions, meaning that gradual damage to landscaping over time will not be covered.

Damage from high winds, hail, or the weight of ice and snow can sometimes be excluded for the landscaping itself. If a tree falls due to rot, disease, or strong winds but does not damage a covered structure, its removal or replacement is generally not covered.

Damage caused by the homeowner’s own vehicle is also usually excluded. Additionally, issues like sewer backup or sump pump overflow that affect landscaping are not typically covered by a standard policy. Any landscaping used for business purposes, such as a commercial nursery, will also be excluded from coverage under a personal homeowners policy.

Filing a Claim for Landscaping Damage

Should covered landscaping damage occur, documenting the extent of the loss immediately is an important first step. Policyholders should take clear photos and videos of all damaged areas before any cleanup or repairs begin.

Taking reasonable steps to prevent further damage, such as temporary stabilization if safe to do so, is also advisable. Before contacting the insurer, reviewing the homeowners insurance policy for specific landscaping coverage details and limits is beneficial.

Promptly contacting the insurance company, typically within 24 to 48 hours of the damage, is important to report the incident. The insurer will generally request information such as the date of loss, a detailed description of the damage, and an estimated value of the damaged landscaping.

An insurance adjuster will then be assigned to evaluate the damage and determine the eligible payout. The policy’s deductible will apply to any approved landscaping claim, meaning the homeowner will be responsible for that initial amount before the insurance coverage begins.