How to Know if Homeowners’ Insurance Will Cover Tree Removal
Never pay out of pocket when you don't need to
Highlights
In many cases, homeowners' insurance will cover the cost of removing a tree.
Trees that fall due to neglect or rot aren't usually covered by insurance.
If a tree falls on a structure, like your house or garage, it's more likely to be covered than if it falls on your lawn or another empty space.
If your tree falls on your neighbor's home or property, their insurance will usually cover it.
Many people love having a yard full of big, gorgeous trees. But if you have a tree-filled yard long enough, chances are you'll need to remove one at some point due to weather events or the tree itself dying or rotting. Fortunately, in some cases, your homeowners' insurance will cover the cost of removing it.
While every policy is different, this guide can help you figure out when policies typically cover the cost of tree removal and when you'll likely need to pay for the service out of pocket. Your best bet for specific advice is to speak to an insurance professional.
When Homeowners’ Insurance Covers Tree Removal
Whether or not your homeowners' insurance will cover the cost of removing your tree depends on what caused the tree to fall and where it fell. If a tree falls on your home, garage, or another structure on your property due to covered perils, you can expect your homeowners' insurance to cover it. Additionally, if a tree falls on your driveway and prevents you from using it, insurance will likely cover that as well.
Insurance policies will typically cover tree removal costs if the tree falls on a structure due to:
Lightning and the resulting fire
Wind, hail, ice, or snow
Vandalism
Other covered perils (check your individual policy for specific details)
However, if the tree falls on your lawn or another empty space, the reason it fell becomes especially important. For instance, if your tree falls on your lawn or another empty space due to lightning and the resulting fire, many homeowners' insurance policies will cover the cost of removing it. They'll also usually cover it if it falls on an empty space due to vandalism.
But most policies won't cover it if the tree falls on an empty space due to wind, ice, hail, or snow.
When Homeowners’ Insurance Doesn't Cover Tree Removal
In some cases, your homeowners' insurance won't cover the cost of tree removal. While insurance covers many weather events, if a tree falls due to an earthquake or flood, your insurance probably won't cover it. Additionally, if your tree falls because it's dead, rotting, or you neglected to maintain it, your insurance isn't likely to cover that either.
Trees That Fall on Your Neighbor's Property
If your tree falls on your neighbor's property due to covered perils, like most weather events, the cost of removing it will usually fall on your neighbor's insurance policy rather than yours. However, if the tree falls because it's dead, broken, or rotted and you neglected to remove it, your neighbor could potentially take you to court for negligence and damages. This risk is just another reason why removing dead trees is so important.
Will My Homeowners Insurance Cover Preventative Tree Removal?
Unfortunately, most homeowners insurance policies don’t pay for preventative tree removal. It’s still a good idea to do this work, however, because it can save you from having to deal with a more complex and costly problem in the future. You may be able to save on preventative tree removal costs by scheduling the work during the off-season.
How to Figure Out if Homeowners’ Insurance Will Cover Your Tree Removal
Since every policy is different, the only way to know for certain if your insurance will cover tree removal is to check your individual policy. If it’s still unclear, give your insurance agent a call to find out for sure. It’s also a good idea to document the damage before taking any action, taking thorough photos and videos of any areas that need repair or might be affected by the tree falling. This preparation can help you make your case if your insurance company wants to see evidence of the damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to prevent tree damage and the need for removal is to properly maintain your trees. Regular maintenance should include removing any dead branches and regularly pruning limbs that creep too close to structures on your property, like the house or the garage. Additionally, if you see a tree that you suspect is dead, it's a good idea to consult a local arborist on whether the tree needs removal.
Tree removal costs an average of $750, but it can range from $200 to $2,000, depending on the tree's height, diameter, and accessibility. For instance, very large, thick trees will generally cost more to remove than small, thin trees. It's also typically customary to tip your tree removal professional, usually $20 to $100.
Coverage varies quite a bit by policy, but most homeowners' insurance policies will cover $500 to $1,000 of the cost of removing a tree. Additionally, if your tree causes damage to your property, like your house, many policies will cover some or all of the costs to repair the damage, depending on why the tree fell.
Most homeowners insurance policies won’t pay for the removal of dead, rotting trees. That’s because insurance is intended to protect you from sudden, unexpected accidents. So if a tree is sick, dying, neglected, or rotten but is still standing and hasn’t caused any property damage, it’s unlikely your insurance will cover the cost to have it removed.