What About My Trees?

With unwelcomed Hurricane Sandy’s visit to the East Coast a few months ago, homeowners’ trees were left scattered across roads, damaging neighbors’ homes, and crushing vehicles. Everyone wanted to know what coverage they had on their homeowner’s policy with regards to a fallen tree. Independent Agent Magazine offered a summary that we’d like to share. Here is the skinny on fallen trees:

“Coverage exists when a tree is damaged by a covered peril such as fire, lightning, explosion, riot or civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles not owned or operated by a resident of the “residence premises,” and vandalism or malicious mischief or theft. There is a per tree sublimit, with an aggregate limit based on a percentage of Coverage A.

For trees damaged by one of the seven perils, this sublimit includes debris removal expenses. An additional 5% of that limit is available for additional debris removal.

For trees damaged by other perils such as windstorm, the policy pays another sublimit so long as the tree damages a covered structure or blocks a driveway or handicap assist ramp. If a tree simply is blown down in the yard, nothing is payable for debris removal.”