Comments on: Will homeowners insurance pay to remove a hazardous tree?

By: Joey H

Joey H — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:05:03 +0000

I would also add that you should spend the money to remove the tree before it damages your property. I would also highly recommend that you read your policy and consult with your agent. I could see your insurance company denying your claim because you had knowledge of the peril and chose to do nothing to prevent damage to your property.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:05:03 +0000

No, but if it falls and you knew it was dead and did nothing, won’t you wonder if they’ll pay for damages? They pay for losses that occur, not risk management to prevent them from occurring.

By: markmywordz

markmywordz — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:05:03 +0000

Insurance does not pay to remove any vegetation unless it actually causes a loss.

You can’t insure something that hasn’t already caused a loss….that’s not insurance…..that’s maintenance and you are fully responsible to maintain your own property.

One more thing about moving a tree….

An insurer will pay to remove the tree from your home but that’s all. It pays to take it off the house and then to leave on the ground next to your house.

The removal of the remainder of the tree is up to you.

By: sglmom

sglmom — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:05:03 +0000

Sorry — no homeowner’s insurance will ever pay for the removal of a tree that is hazardous – that is just the way it is.

By: mei-lin

mei-lin — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:05:03 +0000

some will, some won’t. read your policy or check with your agent.
You also have a duty to protect your property.

By: mamatohaley

mamatohaley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:05:03 +0000

No insurance will not pay for you to maintain trees on your property. In fact if it was to fall and only land in your back yard insurance still would not pay for its removal. It only would pay for its removal if it lands on your home or fence.

With your theory you are saying that it would be smarter for an insurance company to pay to replace the bald tires on my car before one of them blows and causes damage to my car.

That is not how insurance works.

By: mbrcatz17

mbrcatz17 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:05:03 +0000

No, you are responsible for all the maintenance of the house and grounds. THey don’t replace broken windows, worn out roofs, they don’t paint houses, all those things, AND the hazardous tree, are all considered maintenance.

If your tree lands on the house, you’ll have the homeowners deductible to pay. If it lands on someone else’s house, and they can prove you knew it was hazardous, your insurance company can deny liability coverage for you. If you have another claim, and the adjuster comes out and notices the hazardous tree, they can require you to remove it within 30 days, or cancel your policy. Oh, and check your policy – if it lands on your house, usually there is a limit of $250 for "debris removal", which would be tree parts that land on your house. If it actually costs $2,000, you have to pay the rest.

If you want a maintenance contract, it costs a WAY WAY lot more than an insurance policy – which is designed to cover UNEXPECTED losses.

By: Loollea

Loollea — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:05:03 +0000

no, that is called maintenance, it’s your job

By: Just2Candid

Just2Candid — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:05:02 +0000

It would be smarter for you to cut down the tree. They may pay for the repairs, but you live with the inconvenience. Stop being cheap.

By: jim

jim — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:05:02 +0000

Most likely, they would. BUT, the cost to remove a tree is usually less than the deductible you would have to pay, before the insurance company pays anything.