Severe weather can happen quickly in North Texas. High winds, thunderstorms, and other weather events can turn tree branches into a serious hazard for your home. If a tree falls onto your house and damages your roof, knowing what to do next can make an already stressful situation a little easier to manage.
Here are the steps Plano homeowners should consider if a tree falls on their home.
1. Put Safety First
Before you worry about your roof or insurance, make sure everyone in your household is safe.
A fallen tree can cause more than visible roof damage. It may have damaged the home’s structure, created electrical hazards, broken windows, or caused debris to fall inside the house.
If power lines are involved, stay away from the area and contact the appropriate utility company. Don’t attempt to remove the tree yourself if doing so could put you or someone else in danger.
2. Document the Damage
Once it is safe to do so, take photos and videos of the damage.
Try to capture:
- The entire fallen tree
- The portion of the roof that was damaged
- Broken shingles, gutters, siding, windows, or other exterior damage
- Water entering the home
- Damaged furniture, flooring, or personal belongings
- Damage to garages, fences, sheds, or other structures
Good documentation can help when you report the loss and can provide a record of the condition of your property immediately after the incident.
3. Take Reasonable Steps to Prevent Additional Damage
If the tree has left an opening in your roof, additional rain can turn one problem into several.
If it is safe, you may need to take temporary measures to protect the interior of your home from further water damage. Depending on the situation, that could include covering an opening with a tarp or moving belongings away from an area where water is entering.
Keep receipts for emergency services, materials, or temporary repairs.
However, avoid making major or permanent repairs before your insurance company has had an opportunity to inspect the damage.
4. Contact Your Insurance Agent
Once everyone is safe and the immediate situation is under control, contact your insurance agent or insurance company.
Whether damage caused by a fallen tree is covered depends on the specific circumstances and the terms of your homeowners insurance policy.
Your policy may provide coverage for certain types of sudden and accidental damage to your home, including damage caused by falling objects. However, exclusions, deductibles, coverage limits, and policy conditions can affect how a particular claim is handled.
That’s why it’s important to understand your policy before you need it.
5. What If the Tree Came From Your Neighbor’s Yard?
This is one of the most common questions homeowners have after a tree falls.
If your neighbor’s tree falls onto your home during a storm, it does not automatically mean your neighbor is responsible for the damage. Responsibility can depend on the circumstances surrounding the tree and why it fell.
In many situations, your homeowners insurance may be the policy that responds to covered damage to your home.
If you believe the tree was dead, diseased, or otherwise hazardous and your neighbor knew about the problem, the circumstances may be different.
Because every situation is unique, it’s a good idea to discuss the details with your insurance agent.
6. Will Insurance Pay to Remove the Tree?
Another common question is whether homeowners insurance will pay to have the fallen tree removed.
The answer depends on your policy and the circumstances of the loss.
Some policies may provide limited coverage for removing a fallen tree when it damages a covered structure. Other situations may not be covered.
For example, a tree that falls in your yard but does not damage a covered structure may be treated differently than a tree that crashes through your roof.
Don’t assume that every tree-removal expense will automatically be covered. Your agent can help you understand how your specific policy works.
7. What About the Water Damage?
If a tree damages your roof and rain gets inside your home, you could potentially be dealing with two problems at once: the original roof damage and resulting interior damage.
This could include damage to:
- Ceilings
- Walls
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Electronics
- Other personal belongings
Document everything you can and notify your insurance company promptly. The sooner the damage is addressed, the better your chances of preventing a small problem from becoming a much larger one.
8. Don’t Assume Your Entire Roof Will Be Replaced
Homeowners sometimes assume that if a tree damages one part of the roof, the entire roof will automatically be replaced.
That’s not necessarily the case.
Coverage can depend on the extent and cause of the damage, the type of policy you have, your deductible, the age and condition of the roof, and the specific terms of your policy.
Your homeowners insurance is designed to respond to covered losses—not normal wear and tear or deterioration.
This is one reason it is important to review your homeowners policy periodically rather than waiting until something goes wrong.
Prepare Before the Next Storm
You don’t have to wait for a tree to fall through your roof before thinking about your homeowners insurance.
Before severe weather arrives, take a look around your property. Consider having potentially dangerous trees or branches evaluated, especially if they are dead, damaged, leaning toward your home, or hanging over your roof.
It’s also a good idea to review your homeowners policy and make sure you understand:
- Your dwelling coverage
- Your roof coverage
- Your deductible
- Other structures coverage
- Personal property coverage
- Loss of use coverage
- Personal liability coverage
- Any applicable exclusions or endorsements
Your home is one of the most important assets you own. Making sure you understand how your insurance is designed to protect it can give you greater confidence when unexpected damage occurs.
Your Home. Your Coverage. Your Choice.
At The Sterling Insurance Group, we believe insurance shouldn’t be confusing. As an independent insurance agency serving Plano and communities throughout Texas, our team works with multiple insurance carriers to help clients find coverage that fits their individual needs.
Whether you’re reviewing your current homeowners policy or simply have questions about your coverage, we’re here to help you understand your options.
Have questions about your homeowners insurance? Contact The Sterling Insurance Group at (972) 964-4825 to review your coverage and make sure your home is properly protected.
Insurance coverage varies by policy. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not determine coverage for any individual claim. Please refer to your policy or contact your insurance professional with questions about your specific coverage.
The Sterling Insurance Group
3415 Custer Rd #104
Plano, TX 75023
(972) 964-4825
sterlinginsnow.com