Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Removal? What You Need To Know

Homeowners insurance may cover tree removal, but it depends on where the tree fell and what caused it to fall. If a tree fell and damaged your home or is blocking your driveway, you’ll likely be covered by your insurer. However, if a tree fell due to negligence or caused no damage, you might need to pay for its removal out of pocket.

Keep reading to learn when homeowners insurance covers tree removal, how much coverage typically applies, potential costs and what to do when a tree falls.

On This Page

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  When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Removal?

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  When Won't Home Insurance Cover Tree Removal?

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  Does Home Insurance Cover Tree Removal if It's From a Neighbor's Yard?

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  How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?

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  How Much Will Homeowners Insurance Cover for Tree Removal?

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  Can I Get a Separate Insurance Policy To Cover Tree Damage and Removal?

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  What To Do if a Tree Falls on Your House?

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  How To Prevent Potential Damage Caused by Trees

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  FAQs

When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Removal?

Homeowners insurance may cover tree removal only under specific circumstances, such as when removal is necessary to repair your property. For example, removal would typically be covered if a tree fell on your home and broke through part of a wall or ceiling. Coverage may also apply if the fallen tree is blocking your driveway.^[1]

Will Insurance Cover Trees That Might Be Dangerous?

Your insurance does not cover preventative tree removal, regardless of how close a tree appears to falling and causing damage.^[2] However, it may be worth paying for removal if a tree looks unstable to avoid future home repairs — especially since damage from a fallen tree due to negligence likely won’t be covered.^[3]

Am I Covered if a Tree From My Yard Damages My Neighbor's Home?

Whether you’re covered when a tree or its branches fall and damage your neighbor’s home depends on what caused the tree to fall. If the tree fell due to a tornado, hurricane, wildfire or other act of God, you won’t be held liable for the damage. In that case, your neighbor would need to handle the costs — either through their own homeowners insurance or out of pocket.^[4]

The situation is less clear-cut when a tree from your property falls due to negligence, such as if you allowed it to die or failed to maintain it, and it damages your neighbor’s property. If your neighbor can provide evidence of negligence, they may be able to take you to court for damages. In that case, the liability portion of your home insurance may help cover the costs, depending on whether your policy allows claims involving negligence.^[4]

Check with your insurer to confirm what is and isn’t covered in this situation. You may also want to consider trimming or removing the tree to prevent disputes. If your negligence caused the tree to fall, it may be worth paying for the damage — or at least covering your neighbor’s deductible — to avoid a conflict.

When Won't Home Insurance Cover Tree Removal?

Homeowners insurance likely won’t cover tree removal if the fallen tree didn’t cause any property damage. Regardless of whether the tree was yours, your neighbor’s or was blown onto your lawn by high winds during a hurricane, you’ll need to pay for its removal if it hasn’t damaged your property.^[1]

Home insurance also typically won’t cover tree removal if the damage resulted from negligence. For example, if you knew the tree was rotting and failed to remove it, your insurer may deny the claim. They may also reject claims if a storm pushed the tree over — even if storms are normally covered — if they can show that the tree was already likely to fall due to poor maintenance.^[3]

Finally, homeowners insurance doesn’t cover tree removal for trees that are only damaged or at risk of falling, as insurers typically don’t cover preventative tree removal.^[2]

Does Home Insurance Cover Tree Removal if It's From a Neighbor's Yard?

You don’t have to worry about where the tree came from if it falls on your home or damages your property — homeowners insurance typically covers the cost of removal in either case. However, if you can show that the tree fell due to your neighbor’s negligence, your insurer may reimburse you for some or all of your deductible.^[1]

How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?

Tree removal typically costs between $200 and $2,000, averaging around $750. Size, location and the type of tree can all affect the cost. Emergency removal can also be more expensive, sometimes exceeding $5,000.^[5]

If the tree has already uprooted and fallen, costs may range from $300 to $500, since fallen trees are much easier to remove than those still standing.^[5]

However, it may not be worth the extra savings to wait for a dead or dying tree to fall over, as the resulting damage from intentional negligence might not be covered by insurance.^[2] Damage from a fallen tree could cost as much as $15,000 or more for structural damage, making it risky to delay removal.^[6]

How Much Will Homeowners Insurance Cover for Tree Removal?

Homeowners insurance typically covers $500 to $1,000 in tree removal costs, depending on your insurer and policy.^[1] Based on the potential costs discussed earlier, your policy may not cover the full removal amount, especially for larger trees or complex removals.

Can I Get a Separate Insurance Policy To Cover Tree Damage and Removal?

No alternative types of homeowners insurance offer more or better coverage for tree damage and removal. However, you may find policies with higher limits for tree removal if you shop around.

What To Do if a Tree Falls on Your House?

Below is a brief overview of what to do if a tree falls on your home:

1. Evacuate safely. Make sure everyone inside leaves the home, including pets. Do not reenter until professionals confirm it’s safe to do so. Unseen structural damage, exposed wiring or broken pipes could cause serious injury if unnoticed.
2. Contact emergency services. They can assess the fallen tree and any damage to your property, determining whether it poses a fire risk or electrical hazard.
3. Turn off home utilities. Shut off your water and gas lines or the main electric breaker to prevent further issues in case these components were damaged by the tree.
4. Document the damage. Once professionals deem the home safe to reenter, assess the damage yourself. Take clear photos of the fallen tree and all visible damage from multiple angles. Consider hiring a professional inspector to check for hidden issues.
5. Contact your insurer. Begin the claims process as soon as possible. A claims adjuster will likely visit your home to evaluate the damage and determine how much your policy covers for repairs and tree removal, if necessary.

How To Prevent Potential Damage Caused by Trees

Below are a few tips on how to prevent potential damage caused by falling trees:

• Inspect your trees regularly. Routine inspections help ensure your trees are healthy and stable. It may also be worth hiring a professional arborist to assess them more thoroughly.
• Remove dead or diseased branches. Pruning damaged branches from otherwise healthy trees can prevent them from breaking off and causing property damage or injury.
• Watch for hazardous growth. Make sure your trees aren’t growing too close to powerlines, your home or your neighbor’s property.
• Remove weak or dying trees before storms. Frail, sickly or dying trees are more likely to be blown over during heavy winds — potentially causing severe damage even if they aren’t directly over your home.