Homeowner's Insurance...If a tree falls and nobody saw it...

Asking for a friend...

Let's say I...uh, I mean my *friend*...gets a bid for tree removal that makes him almost have a freaking heart attack.

Then let's say that friend declines to have the trees removed because he values his kidneys, likes his first born, and a life of crime just seems tiring.

Finally, let's pretend an ice storm topples those trees onto my...friend's....house and causes some damage.

Is the insurance company able to say, "screw you slacker, you knew the trees needed to come down and didn't do anything. No cash for you!" Or, can my friend just pay his $500 deductible and get a new roof?

I think if your friend had sent a certified letter to his neighbor with concerns about the trees, their homeowners insurance would be responsible.

But then again, $500 for a roof ain’t bad

Tim said:

Asking for a friend...

Let's say I...uh, I mean my *friend*...gets a bid for tree removal that makes him almost have a freaking heart attack.

Then let's say that friend declines to have the trees removed because he values his kidneys, likes his first born, and a life of crime just seems tiring.

Finally, let's pretend an ice storm topples those trees onto my...friend's....house and causes some damage.

Is the insurance company able to say, "screw you slacker, you knew the trees needed to come down and didn't do anything. No cash for you!" Or, can my friend just pay his $500 deductible and get a new roof?

Click to expand...

He pays $500, gets a new roof, no one is the wiser.

We have a tree that is sorta kinda precarious. But I didn't see anything. I have no idea what I am talking about.

Why did your friend get a bid for tree removal in the first place? Did your friend inform the insurance company about the bid? Is the tree of sufficient size that it poses more of a danger than just roof damage?
Do you have a chainsaw?

I have a big azz tree leaning toward my neighbors home. Been there for 100 years prolly. They think it could fall. I'm not taking it down. Would cost a small fortune. If they want to do it, fine. But just because it looks scary doesnt mean it is.

$500 roof for your friend!!!

georgel said:

Why did your friend get a bid for tree removal in the first place? Did your friend inform the insurance company about the bid? Is the tree of sufficient size that it poses more of a danger than just roof damage?
Do you have a chainsaw?

Click to expand...

I've been told it's a gigantic tree, on the property, and would likely fall right over the ridge line of the house.

Chainsaw...given proximity to other houses and size, it's most definitely a job for the pros.

Your friend is covered if the tree falls on his own roof. He might be liable if he knew the tree was a hazard and it damages anyone else's property.

Unless he posted details on the internet, in which case he is screwed.

Tim said:

I've been told it's a gigantic tree, on the property, and would likely fall right over the ridge line of the house.

Chainsaw...given proximity to other houses and size, it's most definitely a job for the pros.

Click to expand...

So, you need these guys...


Honestly, you'll have to think about the safety risk if you don't remove the tree. I wish I had more clearance around my house as well.

Not sure this will help your friend. The day before BatterOaksBilly’s meet up, an enormous tree fell here. When I called the insurance company, they explained that unless there was damage to my property, it would be on me. Probing further, they uncovered a clause that also covers a downed tree that completely blocks the only entrance/exit to/from the property.

So, it ONLY cost me $500 to have it removed by “my guy”.

Let me start by saying I have no idea the answer to your question, but I'll relate this experience that has me looking sideways at some trees around the border of our yard......

I was busily trying to fulfill a couple of holster orders on Sunday afternoon. Had to run inside to get a .45ACP round to mold a 1911 mag pouch or 5. Had just stepped back out of the house into the driveway when I hear a loud crack and turn toward the sound, just in time to watch this tree fall in what seemed like slow motion right across my driveway (paved) and neighbor's driveway (gravel). The tree belongs to neither of us, but another neighbor who owns several lots and a good bit of acreage here in the neighborhood. The tree had been leaning a bit since Hurricane Michael when another tree fell nearby and grazed this one on the way down. I'd have been annoyed had it damaged anything....

wait, how does @Slacker fit into the hypothetical?

To clarify one thing from your question, the tree is on Bob’s property and in the storm it falls on Bob’s house damaging the roof. If that’s correct then it’s a simple homeowners claim barring a bunch of unlikely circumstances.

The situation gets more complicated when the tree is on Jane’s property and falls on Bob’s roof.

JimB said:

wait, how does @Slacker fit into the hypothetical?

To clarify one thing from your question, the tree is on Bob’s property and in the storm it falls on Bob’s house damaging the roof. If that’s correct then it’s a simple homeowners claim barring a bunch of unlikely circumstances.

The situation gets more complicated when the tree is on Jane’s property and falls on Bob’s roof.

Click to expand...

True...

In my case, the tree fell across my driveway and also took out a section of my neighbor's fence. I covered the tree removal (deductible) and her insurance covered the fence.

JimB said:

wait, how does @Slacker fit into the hypothetical?

To clarify one thing from your question, the tree is on Bob’s property and in the storm it falls on Bob’s house damaging the roof. If that’s correct then it’s a simple homeowners claim barring a bunch of unlikely circumstances.

The situation gets more complicated when the tree is on Jane’s property and falls on Bob’s roof.

Click to expand...

Because I have a badazz chainsaw.

Last hurricane that came thru here dropped a tree from my property onto my neighbors property.

Being a good neighbor, and the fact that they are more elderly than me, I took care of it.

Borrowed a saw from my cousins, who own a tree service. They tell me that I’m not responsible for any part of the tree that fell on their property.

If my neighbors tree drops in my yard, I’m responsible.

Sounds strange to me, but they aren’t the making stuff up type.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes insurance will take care of it if it falls on the house But you mention its a big tree it may do more than just minor roof damage depending its size and how it falls. Insurance will still cover it but coworker just had it happen to him with a large oak and had to basicly redo his second story totally and part of first floor ceiling. He also got to live with a tarp over the roof for 6mths while they sorted it out and had he been home someone might not be living anymore. Just food for thought or at least think about where you stand during large storms.