BLOG: Fallen Trees, Who Pays ?
By Jim Donovan: All over the region the clean-up is underway. Homeowners dealing with branches, limbs and downed trees of every shape and size. If you've experienced tree damage related to Hurricane Sandy, here is some informaton on filing an insurance claim for repairs.
What's covered, and what's not, depends on a number of factors:
If your tree falls on your house, your insurance company will pay for removal of the tree from your home, and it's going to repair your home as well.
If your tree falls on your neighbors house your neighbors homeowners policy is going to be responsible. It's considered and Act of God and your neighbor should file a claim with their insurance company. The same holds true if their tree fell on your home.
If a tree falls in your yard, but doesn't hit anything, in most cases, it's up to you to pay for it's removal.
Finally, if your car gets hit by a tree or damaged by flying limbs you need to file a claim against your vehicles comprehensive coverage.
Also if you have a tree that's in bad shape, maybe it has stress cracks, weak branches, or hollow or decayed areas, and you don't do anything about it, if it comes crashing down you could be held liable.
So if you dodged a bullet this time around, you may want to deal with those dangerous trees now, before your luck runs out.
For more information and to watch a video from the Insurance Information Institute visit:
