Every policy is different. This is a general guide, not insurance advice. Your policy and your agent have the final word.
When insurance usually pays
A standard homeowners policy covers damage to your house and other insured structures when a tree falls on them because of a covered event, such as wind, lightning or hail. According to the Insurance Information Institute, you are covered no matter who owns the tree, so a neighbor’s tree that lands on your roof goes on your policy first. The policy also generally pays to remove the tree from the structure,usually up to about $500 to $1,000 depending on the insurer.
That limit is often less than the bill for a big tree on a roof. Taking a large tree off a house in sections, with cleanup, can cost more than that. The rest is usually yours, along with the deductible. See our tree removal cost guide for what sets the price.
When it usually doesn’t
- Removing a dead or declining tree before it falls. That’s maintenance, not a sudden loss.
- A tree that falls without hitting an insured structure. Yard cleanup is generally not covered, though some insurers pay to clear a tree blocking your driveway or a wheelchair ramp.
- Damage from neglect. If a tree was obviously dead for years, an insurer may question the claim.
- Flooding. Standard policies exclude flood, which mattered after Helene. Flood damage needs a separate flood policy.
Your own trees and shrubs have limited coverage for some events, such as fire, lightning or vandalism: generally up to 5 percent of the insurance on the house, with a per-tree cap. Wind is usually not one of those events, so a tree that blows over in the yard is generally not covered.
How to document a tree damage claim
- Make it safe first. Stay away from the damaged area. If a power line is down or touching the tree, call 911 or Duke Energy and keep clear. See trees near power lines.
- Photograph everything before it’s moved: the whole tree, where it broke or uprooted, and each area of damage, inside and out.
- Call your insurer and get a claim number. Ask whether they want to see the tree before it’s removed.
- Prevent more damage. Policies expect you to take reasonable steps, like getting the tree off the roof. Keep the receipts.
- Get an itemized invoice. We list the work on the structure separately from yard cleanup and stump grinding, so your adjuster can see what applies.
The cheaper fix: before it falls
Insurance pays after the damage, and only part of it. Taking down a dead hemlock or ash, or pruning limbs off the roof, costs less than a deductible plus the uncovered part of a removal. A tree health assessment tells you which trees are a real risk. For a tree that is already down, call our 24/7 emergency line.
Sources: Insurance Information Institute, If a tree falls on your house, are you covered?; N.C. Department of Insurance, FAQs about homeowners insurance.