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To summarize, the removal of a tree anywhere on your property will be paid for if the damage is caused by fire, lightning, or any of the other perils above. This is a subtle differentiation, and it can understandably cause confusion. Why? Because with most standard policies, any damage on your property due to fire or lightning, explosion, riot, vandalism, or an aircraft falling on the property is covered no matter what. Even though there’s no damage to your home, your insurance would be obligated to pay. Here’s another example: the apple tree on your front lawn is struck by lightning and splits in half. But if the trees are far from the house, you may not be covered - it depends on what caused them to fall and whether or not they caused damage to structures on your property. Note that the trees in this instance fell on the house. After paying your deductible, your insurance should cover the repairs to the roof as well as the removal of the trees. So let’s say you’ve got a small grove of pine trees next to your house, and in a violent windstorm, three of them are knocked over, damaging your roof. In most cases, if a tree falls on your home because of one of these common perils, insurance will cover the cost of removal. Your insurance policy traditionally covers damages from named perils including fire and smoke, lightning, falling objects and the weight of ice, snow or sleet. When is tree removal covered by home insurance? But there are other times when a fallen tree is your responsibility to remove, and either your insurer won’t pay for it, or the costs are such that it doesn’t make sense to file a claim. Tree removal is sometimes covered by your homeowners insurance policy when the reason for the tree falling is related to a named peril, such as a windstorm, fire or vandalism.
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You might think this would be a simple “yes” or “no” question, but it’s not quite that easy.
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