Does homeowners insurance cover storm damage to trees?

The damaged but standing tree

After a strong storm, many Georgia yards have trees with split trunks, cracked crotches, or broken limbs hung up in the canopy. Those hanging limbs are dangerous. But because the tree did not damage a covered structure, removal and tree care are generally your expense. Insurers treat preventing a future fall as maintenance.

Why insurers leave wind off for trees

Wind damages trees constantly. If landscaping were covered for wind, nearly every storm would bring tree claims. Standard forms instead cover trees, shrubs and plants for perils like fire, lightning, explosion, vandalism and vehicles, at a small limit per tree.

What to do with a storm-damaged tree

1. Keep people and cars out from under hanging limbs.
2. Have a certified arborist judge whether the tree can be saved.
3. Photograph the damage with the date, in case the tree later falls.
4. Remove or reduce it if it threatens the house. Waiting can turn a tree problem into a roof problem.

If it falls later

Damage to your house from a tree that falls later is still covered, even if it was weakened by an earlier storm. But if the tree hits a neighbor's home and you knew it was damaged and did nothing, you may be held responsible. Acting on a known hazard protects you and your neighbors.

Limbs that already hit the roof

Broken limbs often strike the roof on the way down, cracking shingles or denting gutters. That damage is covered under your dwelling coverage even when the tree itself is not, so check the roof after any storm that broke limbs.

More: wind damage claims and how to file a claim.