Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal?

If a nearby tree falls on your property, you would naturally want to know who is responsible for its removal, including if there’s a chance you might have to pay for this yourself. Responsibility and liability depend on a number of key factors, so the answer may seem quite complicated.
 
That means it’s essential you understand these factors and how they affect your insurance, giving you a clear idea of how to proceed in the event a tree falls nearby and causes chaos. With this in mind, here’s a guide explaining responsibility in the context of fallen tree removal.

Can My Insurance Cover Fallen Tree Damages?

Home and contents insurance are both already essential purchases, but they could serve you well in the event of a fallen tree. If a healthy tree of a sturdy species falls for any reason whatsoever with no forewarning, this is legally an “Act of God”, which means there was no way to clearly predict this happening. For example, a storm could erupt and wreak havoc upon the branches or the tree itself. In this case, you’ll have coverage and no liability, but you would have to cover the cost yourself if the tree was unhealthy, or a species which often drops branches.
 
Much of the liability depends on proximity and foreknowledge of the tree’s condition. A tree’s health might be invisible without a full inspection due to the possibility of decayed roots, but there is an expectation for you to know the signs of an unhealthy tree when it’s on your property. If the tree is noticeably unhealthy, and beside a boundary, you would be liable for any damages it causes to your neighbour’s property; your home insurance can help to cover this. You could avoid most of this hassle by getting an arborist to regularly check your trees.

If a fallen tree or its branches damage your car, for example, a comprehensive amount of car insurance should cover the repair costs, but the tree removal would be your responsibility. For homes, this may depend on your specific package and everything that it protects against. Generally speaking, if a tree falls on your home, and it isn’t because of any negligence towards that tree, your insurance will cover the cost of removal. If this falling tree causes no damage and simply lands on your lawn, you may have to cover the removal yourself.
 
If the tree is old or diseased, you’ll again likely be responsible for removing it yourself, especially if you already knew of its condition. If the tree is from a neighbour’s property in this instance, it’s instead their responsibility to remove it under the same reasoning. In the event of a fallen tree, it’s essential that you contact a tree removal specialist to provide a quality service that cleans your property of any debris.
 
All Area Tree Service is proud to help clients across the Central Coast with their tree removal needs. If you need one of our qualified arborists to inspect or chop your trees, get in touch today.