Is Damage to a Tree Covered Under Home Insurance?

Picture this: the beautiful weeping willow in your back yard sustains damaged from a storm. The landscaping bushes and trees you’ve added to your front yard get stolen by someone in the middle of the night.

While it may not seem like there is much you can do about these types of losses, that’s not necessarily the case. Your home insurance may help you to recoup some of the losses you may have.

What Will Home Insurance Cover?

Every home insurance policy is different. When shrubbery damage occurs, homeowners should compare all the options available on their policies. That way, they can determine the best way to pursue a claim.

Fallen Trees: Most home insurance policies will cover the removal of a fallen tree or larger shrub if it falls on the structure of the home. If it falls in the middle of your yard, cleanup and removal is not always available. Most policies cap this type of coverage at $500 to $1,000 per tree.

Damaged Trees: If a tree sustains damage from a fire, vandalism, or weather, coverage may be more extensive. In this case, home insurance will likely provide coverage, up to the same limits, for replacement of that shrub. Replacement coverage can vary significantly from one policy to the next.

Water and Wind Damage: Flooding, windstorms or other weather events can lead to significant shrub loss. The plan may help to cover the actual removal of these items. However, the plan most likely will not cause the replacement of the tree in this case.

Special Cases

In some situations, home landscaping elements are very valuable to you. They may include rare or hard-to-replace types of trees. Or, you may have an elaborate garden that you work to maintain.

Often, your home insurance can still help you to cover the cost of losses within certain limits. Most policies cap the amount on such claims. For this reason, any valuable investments you have may need an extra endorsement to your insurance plan.

Work with your home insurance provider to make sure your valuable landscaping has coverage. Update your policy to reflect changes in your landscaping as well.

We have your coverage needs in mind. Contact us at 925.737.1560 to get a Oakland home insurance quote.