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Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Damage From A Fallen Tree Branch?

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As a homeowner, you will have a lot of responsibilities when it comes to caring for your house, including protecting it and maintaining it. One way you can do this is by purchasing homeowner's insurance, as this would protect against a lot of perils, but does it protect you against fallen tree branches? The answer to this depends on several different factors.

Did the branch cause damage?

If a tree branch falls, did it cause damage? If so, what did it damage? Was the damage to your house or shed, or was it to your car? If a tree branch falls and lands on your car, you cannot file a homeowner's claim for this. Your home insurance does not generally cover damage to a car, even if it is caused by a fallen branch or tree. If the damage is to your house or shed, there is a good chance that the damage might be covered under your homeowner's insurance policy.

What caused the branch to fall?

The second most important thing to evaluate is the cause of the fallen tree branch. To determine if the damage will be covered, you will need to figure out the cause, as some causes may be covered and some might not be. If the branch fell because a major storm swept through your area and forced the tree over, then the damage will probably be covered. The only time damage from a fallen branch would not be covered is if the branch fell for a lack of maintenance. If you knew the tree was dead or that the branch was on the verge of snapping, it is your responsibility to remove the branch or tree before it falls. If you did not maintain it properly, then the insurance company could deny your claim.

What is the cost of the damage?

Even if your insurance policy would cover the claim, it is important to only file a claim in certain cases. To determine if you should file a claim, you should compare the damage to the amount of your deductible. If the deductible is more than the amount of damage or even close to the amount, filing a claim might not be worthwhile, as your insurance company would not be paying much of it anyhow.

If you have questions about your homeowner's coverage, or if you are ready to switch to a new home insurance company, contact an agency of your choice to learn more.


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