What to Do If One of Your Trees Falls During a Storm
The first thing you should do is make sure that your family is safe. If the tree has hit your home or pulled down power lines, it is best to evacuate and stay at a neighbors house until authorities can assess the situation.
After ensuring that everyone is safe, survey the damage as best you can. Take photos if it is safe to do so.
Evacuate
The first thing you should do if a tree falls on your house is to evacuate the structure and ensure that all members of your family are accounted for and safe. This is especially important if the tree has damaged or destroyed your roof, caused flooding in your home, or created any other hazard, such as fire damage or electrical issues.
After evacuating your home, you should immediately call 911 or your local emergency authorities. It’s also a good idea to contact your homeowner’s insurance company so they can send out someone to assess the damage and determine steps moving forward (delaying this call may void your policy). If it is safe, take pictures of the fallen tree and any other affected areas in your home as soon as possible and from as many different angles as possible.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Depending on the reason the tree fell, your homeowner’s insurance policy may help cover the damage. This includes removing the fallen tree and any other damage it caused.
You should contact your insurance company as soon as possible. They can then send an adjuster to observe the damage and begin determining how to proceed with your claim.
Homeowners’ insurance usually covers storm damage, including damaged trees. However, the specifics of what will and won’t be covered can vary from insurance company to insurance company. For example, if the tree was in poor condition before the storm due to negligence, your homeowners’ insurance probably won’t help pay for it.
Even if the tree only partially falls on your property, it’s still important to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. They may be able to recommend an arborist who can perform an inspection of the tree and determine whether it’s safe to remove. Also, they can provide you with an estimate of the cost for repairing your property and removing the fallen tree.
Assess the Damage
A storm-damaged tree can cause severe damage to your home. If you live in an area that often experiences storms, it’s a good idea to have an evacuation plan in place in case your home gets damaged. Make sure everyone in your household is accounted for, and evacuate to a safe location. You should also consider preparing a “go-bag” with supplies, such as medication and important documents.
Once you’re safely away from the fallen tree, it’s time to survey the damage. Start by determining whether any of the tree or branches have fallen on your house or if they’re touching electrical lines. If they are, you’ll need to turn off your power and gas lines at the breaker box or at the meter.
Take photos of the fallen tree and the surrounding property. This will help your insurance company assess the damage and determine if it’s covered by your policy.
It’s also a good idea to inspect your property regularly for trees that are growing too close to power lines or overhanging your house. This can prevent them from falling during a storm and potentially injuring you or damaging your home. Handyman On Call can trim these limbs to reduce the risk of them falling during a storm. They can also recommend ways to strengthen your existing trees.
Take Photos
If it is safe, take photos of the damage caused by a fallen tree, both inside and outside your home. It is important to have a clear picture of the damage before you call in professionals for repairs or start cleaning up. Take photos from different angles and in good lighting if possible.
Once you have photographed the damage, contact your insurance company. A standard homeowners insurance policy covers damage caused by trees that fall onto insured structures like homes or detached garages.
Even if the fallen tree doesn’t fall on your house, you might still be able to file a claim for damage caused by a neighboring tree. Some tree species, such as Chinese elms, silver maples, sycamore trees, boxelder trees, and Bradford pear trees, have brittle wood that can easily break, especially when they’re grown close to buildings or utility lines. These fast-growing trees should not be planted in residential areas and should be pruned regularly to reduce the chance of them falling during a storm.
It is also essential to know where your power lines run in your yard before a storm hits, as downed trees or branches can become entangled with them, creating a fire hazard and a potential electrocution risk for you and your neighbors. Look for signs that a tree or limbs have taken down a power line, such as flickering lights in your home or no electrical power at the breaker box.
