Home insurance covers damage from fallen trees

posted by Michael Hanson

If a tree falls on a structure, does a home insurance company hear a sound? In short, yes.

The Insurance Information Institute put forward an educational podcast aimed at ending the confusion regarding fallen trees. Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokeswoman for the III, notes that if a tree falls on an insured structure, such as a home or detached garage, a person's policy should cover the damage.

"This includes trees felled by a windstorm, hail, weight of ice, snow or sleet," Salvatore said.

Regardless of whether the tree was located on their property, if it causes damage, the person should file a claim with their home insurance provider. In cases where the offending tree stands on a neighbor's property, a home insurance company may try to get payment from the neighbor's insurer. If they are successful, the homeowner whose property was damaged could be reimbursed for their deductable.

There are, however, things that a standard home insurance policy does not cover. For example, homeowners who want to protect their houses against floods will have to by special insurance, which is offered through the federal government.