Understanding Liability — and Protecting Yourself the Right Way
A strong storm hits. You look outside — and there it is. A huge branch (or even the whole tree) from your neighbor’s yard has landed on your fence, your roof, or your car.
Now what? Whose insurance pays? What should you do next?
Let’s walk through it calmly — because handling it right can save you a lot of frustration.
First: Know the General Rule
In most cases, if a tree falls onto your property, your homeowner’s insurance is responsible for the damage — even if the tree was rooted in your neighbor’s yard.
It doesn’t usually matter where the tree came from; what matters is where the damage happened.
Your insurance would likely cover:
- Repairs to your home
- Removal of the portion of the tree on your property (up to a set dollar limit)
- Damages to other structures, like fences or sheds
However — there’s one big exception:
If you can prove your neighbor was negligent (for example, ignoring a clearly dead or rotting tree), their insurance could be held responsible.
Second: Take These Immediate Steps
Document everything.
Take clear photos of the fallen tree, the damage, and the tree’s base. Capture any signs of decay or neglect if visible.
Contact your insurance company.
Start the claim process right away. They’ll help walk you through coverage limits and next steps.
Talk to your neighbor (calmly).
It’s best to keep the conversation polite. Often, neighbors aren’t even aware their tree was a problem.
Preserve any evidence of prior concerns.
If you had warned your neighbor about the tree before the incident — and you have emails, letters, or texts — that can be important if negligence becomes part of the discussion.
Third: Understand What Insurance Typically Covers (and Doesn’t)
- Removal costs are usually covered up to a limit (often around $500–$1,000).
- Damage to your property is generally covered.
- Undamaged property clean-up (like removing a tree that falls in your yard without damaging anything) may not be covered unless specified.
If your car was damaged, it would likely be a comprehensive claim under your auto insurance — not your home policy.
Bottom Line
Dealing with a neighbor’s fallen tree can feel complicated, but the process is usually straightforward once you know how coverage works.
The biggest thing is to act quickly, document thoroughly, and work calmly with both your insurer and your neighbor.
If you’re ever unsure about how your own policy handles these kinds of claims — or if you’re concerned about a risky tree nearby — it’s worth reaching out before something happens.
A quick conversation today could save a lot of time, money, and neighborly goodwill later.
