Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Preventative Tree Removal?
Homeownership can be great, but sometimes it can require much more responsibility than most of us originally signed up for. While there are certain tasks which we’ll all likely have to complete as homeowners from time to time, the maintenance of a property’s landscape can be a lot to deal with. With this being said, it’s still so important to be proactive with monitoring the trees on your property to see if they need to be removed in order to prevent damage to your home, car, or belongings. One of the most common questions among homeowners is whether or not their homeowners insurance policy covers the costs of preventative tree removal. In this post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of what is typically covered and how you can best manage tree-related risks through proactive measures.
Understanding Homeowners Insurance Coverage
Homeowners insurance policies are designed to protect homeowners against any unexpected damages and financial losses which may occur against their homes and personal property. This will commonly include coverage for damage caused by external forces such as storms, fires, and vandalism.
Coverage for Tree Removal
Your standard homeowners policy will likely not cover preventative tree removal. This is specifically applied to healthy trees which do not pose an immediate threat to your home. However, there are certainly circumstances in which the removal of a tree will likely be covered:
Damage from a Fallen Tree: If you have encountered structural damage from a fallen tree due to a covered peril such as a storm or fire, your homeowners insurance will likely cover the cost of removing said tree from the damaged structure as well as the associated repairs for that structure.
Blocking Driveways or Ramps for the Disabled: If a fallen tree is blocking a driveway or a ramp designed for the disabled, a homeowners insurance policy will likely cover the cost of removal to ensure the property remains accessible for disabled individuals.
What About Preventative Measures?
While insurance typically does not cover the removal of trees as a preventative measure, there are a few exceptions and considerations:
- Dead or Dying Trees: If a tree on your property is rotted out, fully dead, or clearly on its way out, and it poses an obvious risk to your insured structures, some insurers may cover part or all of the cost of removal if it can be fully demonstrated the tree will cause damage or harm to your insured structures on your property.
- Local Government Intervention: In some cases, local governments may require a full removal of a tree which they deem hazardous. In this case, you’ll want to contact your insurance provider with full documentation from the local governing body which is informing you of this decision to remove your hazardous tree.
Managing Tree-Related Risks
To minimize the risk of damage and potential insurance headaches, consider the following important tips:
Regular Inspections: Having your trees regularly inspected by a certified arborist who is able to properly assess their health and stability will be very much worth it in most cases.
Proper Maintenance: Consider incorporating regular pruning of your trees to help maintain the tree’s health and prevent branches from becoming a true hazard during a storm.
Documentation: Keep records of your tree maintenance and inspections. This documentation can be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim related to a tree. You’ll want to keep records of your tree maintenance and inspections in a safe spot to reference in case there’s a need for said information in the future when you file an insurance claim related to the tree.
Consult Your Insurance Agent: Policy details will vary widely from insurer to insurer and location to location. It’s always a good idea to talk to your insurance agent about anything specific related to your trees and the levels of coverage.
Contact Us at Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance Today
While homeowners insurance will typically not cover the cost for preventive tree removal and maintenance, it can cover tree removal costs when the tree is associated with damage to your insured property and structures. Now that you have a greater understanding of homeowners insurance and preventative tree removal, you can make more informed decisions regarding these matters. Feel free to contact us should you have any questions or if you’d like to discuss your policy and see if we can find you better coverage at a better price. We look forward to hearing from you soon!