Ask an Agent: Am I Covered If a Tree Falls on My Youngstown Home?

1/8/2021 (Permalink)

If the tree doesn’t hit your home or a structure on your property, such as a detached garage, generally there is no coverage for clean-up.

What if it wasn’t on my property? What about the removal? Will my policy cover the cost of the tree? How about the clean-up if it damages my home?

We have a lot of questions when something happens. Especially when it comes to our homes. SERVPRO of East Mahoning County knows how much anxiety and stress comes from home disasters. And that’s why we are here to help. Let’s ask one of our team members, who is a licensed insurance agent, some common questions dealing with tree damage to the home.

• What if the tree belongs to my neighbor, but it hits my home?

That is not an issue. You are insured no matter who owns the tree. Most likely, if your carrier decides to pay for the loss; they will continue with a process called “subrogation.” This is when they will write the check for the damage to you, but then they will follow-up on their end to get the money back from your neighbor’s policy. If your insurer is successful in getting the money back, sometimes you even get your deductible back. Sweet deal, right?

• As the homeowner, am I responsible for the removal of the tree? Or do I have coverage?

You most likely have some removal coverage. A standard amount on a homeowner’s policy generally falls in between $500-$1000, per tree. But it usually has to cause some sort of damage. If the tree doesn’t hit your home or a structure on your property, such as a detached garage, generally there is no coverage for clean-up. So, in laymen’s terms---property damage usually has to occur for clean-up to be covered.

• What if the tree was a Cherry tree, and it was worth money? Am I covered?

The Insurance Information Institute knows “stately trees and landscaping add value to a property and can be costly to replace. Standard homeowners insurance policies cover damage to trees and shrubs due to disasters or an accident—like fire, lightning, explosion, theft, aircraft, vehicles not owned by the resident, vandalism and malicious mischief.” So, if it is one of the losses mentioned…yes there is some coverage. But usually there is a cap per tree. (And honestly, it is not very much if the tree is valuable.) A good piece of advice is to talk with your agent NOW (before a disaster) and schedule costly trees on your policy. This is usually not expensive to do, and it covers the tree’s value properly.

• Who pays SERVPRO of East Mahoning County?

For a stress-free claims process, SERVPRO of East Mahoning County helps manage the insurance paperwork and process. We deal directly with your agent to make the most of your coverage. However, in order to start our emergency and restoration service, you must sign the “Service Authorization Form.” This allows us to take action immediately. We do not know your insurance coverage; therefore, it is impossible for us to know exactly what your insurance will cover. It is important to understand you are financially responsible for our services if you are not covered. Your deductible is payable before we start work. If for any reason insurance coverage cannot be verified at the time of our emergency service, an additional deposit may be required.

• Why should I choose SERVPRO for my storm damage?

Lower Recovery Costs – The SERVPRO® system helps save money. Emergency Mitigation Services help minimize additional property damages. SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals use specialized test equipment to determine hidden issues. Restoration versus replacement of contents saves heirlooms and money too. By using advanced techniques, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals monitor and ensure your property is put back the way it was before the disaster.

Call us today for a tree loss---or any kind of storm damage. We are the area’s #1 restoration team, and we are open 24/7. Visit our website for more information and follow us on Facebook for more tips of the trade.