Does homeowners insurance cover downed trees on fences, sheds and driveways?

Other structures coverage

Fences, sheds, detached garages, gazebos and similar structures are covered separately from the house, commonly with a limit equal to 10 percent of your dwelling limit. When a tree felled by wind, ice or lightning damages them, the policy generally pays to remove the tree from the structure and repair or replace what was damaged, minus your deductible.

Driveways and access

Many policies pay limited removal costs, often up to $1,000 per loss and $500 per tree, when a storm felled tree blocks a driveway so a vehicle cannot get in or out, or blocks an accessibility ramp. They do not pay for cleaning up trees that merely land in the yard.

Vehicles

A tree on your car is covered under the auto policy's comprehensive coverage, with its own deductible, not under homeowners.

One storm, one deductible

If one storm drops trees on your roof, fence and shed, that is usually one occurrence with one homeowners deductible. List everything in the same claim. See date of loss.

Check the roof too

A tree that hit the fence may have brushed the gutters or roof edge on the way down. Have the roof inspected before you finalize the claim so nothing is missed. See the after a storm checklist for a full walk around list.