Does homeowners insurance cover a tree falling on the roof?
Short answer. Yes. A tree that falls on your roof during a storm, or even on a calm day, is generally covered as damage from windstorm or a falling object, including repairs to shingles, decking and rafters and interior damage from rain that gets in. Removal of the tree is usually covered too, though often under a separate, smaller limit, and the roof repair is subject to your deductible.
The first day
- Get everyone out of rooms under the impact area. Check for downed power lines and call the utility if any are involved.
- Do not climb onto the roof or under a hanging tree.
- Photograph and video the tree on the roof from every side you can safely reach, and the ceilings inside.
- Call a tree service with a crane or rigging experience. Large trees on roofs need controlled removal to avoid more damage.
- Get the opening tarped as soon as the tree is off, and keep all invoices.
- Report the claim.
What the claim should include
- Tree removal from the structure.
- Emergency tarping or board up.
- Broken or cracked rafters or trusses, ceiling joists and wall framing.
- Decking, underlayment, shingles, ridge and flashing.
- Gutters, fascia and soffit.
- Interior drywall, insulation, paint, flooring and belongings.
- Permits and engineering if structural members were broken.
Repair or replace the roof?
A small impact may be repaired. A large one, or shingles that cannot be matched, may justify replacing the whole slope. Impact can also crack decking and pop nails well beyond the visible hole, so ask for the inspection to cover the entire slope.
Structural damage
If trusses or rafters broke, a structural engineer or the building department may need to approve the repair. Insurers pay for this when it is required to fix covered damage.
More: emergency tarping, matching and partial replacement and interior water damage.