Homeowner insurance question

[Kahana-ri]

This weekend I was chatting with the neighbor and we were discussing the hurricanes and storm damages. The subject came up about the trees falling on the house. I was under the impression that homeowners insurance covered trees falling on our house? My neighbor said that homeowners insurance does not cover 'Acts of God' therefore if a tree fell, no insurance. Anyone know differently?

 

[Christine]

Everyone I know who has had a tree fall has had their homeowner's cover it. That is, as long as it landed on the house.

 

[golfgal]

I wonder if the "act of God" clause varies from state to state. Our policy does cover acts of God, in our case tornadoes would be the most damaging. About the only thing that isn't covered is flooding.

 

[Cyndirella]

During a storm, a tree in our yard fell at a kind of weird angle and landed on our storage building, our neighbor's fence, and another neighbor's swing set!
Our homeowners' paid to fix everything.

 

[CarolA]

If the tree falls and hits the house usually homeowners will cover it... If it falls and just lands in the yard, it's your problem. (I have had both happen)

 

[Aidensmom]

Our homeowners insurance paid for it when one landed on our house.

The policy may specify, however, what type of "act of God" it will cover. In our particular case, it occurred during a thunderstorm, so was covered under the regular part of our insurance. If it had occurred during a hurricane, however, it would have been covered under that rider part of our insurance, meaning we would have had to pay a higher deductible.

 

[Crankyshank]

In RI it absolutely is covered by homeowner's insurance - I just had it verified a couple of months ago because I have a tree that is very tall, very old, and dying but don't have the $$ to have it taken down until spring.

 

[marybet]

During Hurricane Ivan we had 4 trees on our house and about 18 trees down all over the yard. The insurance paid for the ones to be removed from the house and we got $500 for the rest. That is pretty standard around here. I think there may be some policies that don't cover wind damage, which is what a lot of the companies around here are dropping. I know insurance policies are hard to read but give it a try, if you don't understand it call your agent and they will tell you what coverage you have.

 

[CajunDixie]

I saw a couple people on the news state they didn't have "hurricane" insurance so that might make a difference in your coverage too.

 

[Kermit]

I agree that if it falls and damages a structure (house, fence, etc.), it will be covered. If it just falls, you usually have to be responsible for having it removed on your own. You're almost always responsible for having the stump removed, which can be a big chunk of cash if it's an old tree. Some policies will give you money as a replacement for the tree.

 

[hiwaygal]

I'm not entirely sure, but I think if the tree is damaged or diseased or dying and you know about it, but don't do anything, the insurance company can deny the claim for damaged caused by this tree falling (considering it as lack of proper maintenance).

Try to read your policy...I did when I had water damage from Hurricane Floyd several years back. My policy said it didn't cover water damage from flooding, but it did cover water damage due to "wind driven rain"...and you could always ask your agent.