Does homeowners insurance cover a tree limb falling on the roof?
Short answer. Yes. A limb that falls on the roof in a storm is covered the same way a whole tree is, subject to your deductible. The challenge is that limb damage is often small or hidden, such as cracked shingles, a punctured deck or bent flashing, so it may fall under your deductible or go unnoticed until it leaks.
What a falling limb can do
- Crack or tear shingles and break the sealant strips around the impact
- Puncture or crack the roof decking
- Bend drip edge, ridge vents, gutters and flashing
- Knock off pipe boots or vent caps
- Dent metal roofing or skylights
Is it worth a claim?
A single limb that cracked a few shingles may cost less to repair than your deductible. A heavy limb that punctured the deck, damaged several courses, and let water into the attic is a different story, especially if the shingles are older and brittle and cannot be patched without breaking neighbors. If the damaged shingle is discontinued and a repair will not match, that can also widen the scope. See matching.
What to check after a limb strike
- Look from the ground for displaced shingles and bent metal.
- Check the attic under the impact area for daylight, cracked decking or water.
- Look at ceilings over the next few rains for new stains.
- Photograph the limb before it is cleared, and note the date.
Timing
Do not let a small limb strike sit. A crack that lets water in slowly can rot decking, and a leak discovered months later is harder to tie to the storm. See date of loss and wind damage roof claims.