Will my homeowners insurance company pay to have a tree removed from my yard?
I have a HUGE dead tree on a hill behind my house (i just bought the place 3 weeks ago and did not see how bad it was b/c there was 3ft of snow on the ground). The roots on one side are completely exposed and the tree is 99% dead due to erosion from water running down the hill. Its seriously dangerous and could fall at any time. If it falls it will take out my ENTIRE house and likely kill anyone that’s inside. If i contact my insurance company would they be willing to take a pre-emptive strike and pay to have it removed so it doesnt fall on my house? I really cant afford the 4 grand that it’ll cost to remove it.
First of all they will not pay to remove the tree since that is considered to be a maintenance issue. In addition if they find out about the tree — and they might because they will usually do a drive by type of inspection within the first 30 to 60 days after they write a new policy — they will put you on notice to remove the tree within a specific amount of time or they will cancel your policy if you do not comply. If they cancel your policy due to the tree, it is very likely that you will not be able to obtain homeowners insurance with any other company until you remove the tree.
In addition if the tree were to fall onto someone else’s property or cause injury to a third party, you would be legally liable for the damage and depending on the amount of personal liability available under your policy, you could risk having a claim that could bankrupt you and or even result in garnishment of future income.
You will need to find a way to get this resolved asap! Call around and see if you can find anyone else that will give you a lower bid. My only other comment on this is to make sure that whatever contractor you choose to do this that you make sure that they have insurance — both Commercial General Liability (with a limit of at least $1,000,000 and naming you as Additional Insured) and Workers Compensation Insurance and that they provide you a Certificate of Insurance proving that they are insured along with a copy of their Contractors License.
I hope this information helps. Good Luck
July 17th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Not likely…they will only cover it if it actually hits your house….My Mom had a tree fall inches from her home and they would not cover it. Sorry!
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Been there, done that.
July 17th, 2010 at 11:29 am
No.
Homeowners does not pay for maintenance.
You will have to pay to have the tree taken down.
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Insurance Adjuster
July 17th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Home owners insurance won’t pay for it.
If you have a home warranty as part of the home purchase, you might get them to pay for it. But it’s doubtful.
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July 17th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
First of all they will not pay to remove the tree since that is considered to be a maintenance issue. In addition if they find out about the tree — and they might because they will usually do a drive by type of inspection within the first 30 to 60 days after they write a new policy — they will put you on notice to remove the tree within a specific amount of time or they will cancel your policy if you do not comply. If they cancel your policy due to the tree, it is very likely that you will not be able to obtain homeowners insurance with any other company until you remove the tree.
In addition if the tree were to fall onto someone else’s property or cause injury to a third party, you would be legally liable for the damage and depending on the amount of personal liability available under your policy, you could risk having a claim that could bankrupt you and or even result in garnishment of future income.
You will need to find a way to get this resolved asap! Call around and see if you can find anyone else that will give you a lower bid. My only other comment on this is to make sure that whatever contractor you choose to do this that you make sure that they have insurance — both Commercial General Liability (with a limit of at least $1,000,000 and naming you as Additional Insured) and Workers Compensation Insurance and that they provide you a Certificate of Insurance proving that they are insured along with a copy of their Contractors License.
I hope this information helps. Good Luck
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Certified Insurance Counselor, Licensed Insurance Agent & Broker for over 29 years.
July 17th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Homeowner’s insurance will not pay for tree removal. That is the owner’s responsibility.
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July 17th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
No. Homeowners doesn’t pay to maintain your property – you have to maintain it yourself.
It’s up to YOU to be preemptive.
If you call your insurance company, they’ll require you to take the tree out, or cancel your policy.
Once the tree actually falls on your house, the damage to the house is obviously covered, but the cost for tree removal is usually limited to $250, and only covers the part of the tree actually on the house.
If you’re dead, and can’t rebuild, then the insurance company only pays "actual cash value" and not the full cost of repairing your home.
Find a way to afford the tree removal service.
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