Trees can cause serious injury during summer storms with high winds or winter snowstorms. They can also cause serious damage to property or a neighbor’s property. Falling trees can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. What should you do if a tree falls on your house, and whose responsibility does it become to fix the damage? Here are the steps you should follow if your house or home has taken any damage because of falling trees and timber.
What To Do If A Tree Falls On Your House
1. Safety First
Safety should always be the first consideration, regardless of how bad the initial damage appears. Do not rush to the scene of an accident before it has been assessed. Be sure that there is nobody close to the scene who could get hurt by debris or branches.
It is also important to check if there is any damage to the home breaker box or open power lines close to where the tree fell. Mature trees and their root systems can cause damage that goes beyond what the eye can see. This is the kind of danger you don’t necessarily want to approach.
Keep children, animals, and anyone vulnerable away from the scene where the tree fell. Don’t attempt to make any further moves until you are positive it is safe to do so. In some cases, you may need to evacuate the area and call 911.
2. Take Pictures
Take clear pictures anywhere a tree has fallen, and make sure to catch the whole scene in the photographs even if you have to take several (from more than one angle). Pictures and video document what has just happened, much the same way that any accident scene would be documented for later revision.
This way, the damage assessment is easier and there exists a reference point to which you can return if it becomes necessary or important.
If there are damage claims later from you, or someone else, the photographs become an important piece of evidence that you will wish you had. If you have insurance coverage against fallen tree damage, the pictures will also serve as proof for your insurance company if you need to file a claim.
3. Backup Those Pictures
It’s not just enough to have taken pictures. Images should also be backed up and in enough places to guarantee their safety. There’s no proof if you manage to lose the proof!
4. Assess the Damage
Make a list and assess the damage. Look at any obvious damage that the tree might have caused, and document it properly. For example, “tree went through garage door and bedroom window.” Write down all the damage you can see.
For insurance purposes, auditors are usually appointed to assess the damage and what repairs might cost. Remember the photographs that you should have taken right after the event? It’s not necessary to assess the damage financially unless you are an expert or intend to cover these repairs out of pocket.
5. Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance agent as soon as you’ve documented the damage and made sure that everyone is safe. Insurance companies will evaluate the harm based on proof. They will then move forward with the insurance claim and determine what the homeowner’s insurance covers.
Most standard homeowners insurance policy covers damage in these types of situations but may have coverage limits. Depending on the property line and location of the tree, your neighbor’s insurance company may cover the damage on their property.
If you aren’t insured, any damage that’s caused to your property or someone else’s by the falling tree will need to be covered out-of-pocket.
6. Clearing the Area
A local tree removal company can help you to clear the area after a tree has fallen. Tree debris will also have to be removed and taken to a local tree disposal site. This isn’t an easy job and can take more than a few hours’ worth of work.
If a tree falls on a house, don’t attempt to clear the area yourself. Get a tree removal professional with the proper tools and workforce to ensure it gets done quickly and safely.
Can I Claim for Damages?
Sometimes, yes. Depending on your insurance company’s plan, you might be able to claim for damages you’ve incurred as well as damage caused to someone else’s property.
Make sure that you are insured for such an event even if it hasn’t happened yet!
Tree Services of Omaha
Tree Services of Omaha, Nebraska is a full-service tree care provider that offers a wide range of arborist services including but not limited to: Tree Removal Services, Tree Trimming, Tree Pruning, Tree and Shrub Shaping, Stump Removal, Stump Grinding, Arborist Consultations, Systemic Tree Injections.
Contact us today for a free estimate!
