Insurance for Fallen Trees in Dawsonville, GA

1The rule in one paragraph

Georgia's Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, in its guide to insurance after a disaster, says the standard homeowners policy provides limited coverage for tree damage and tree removal. Tree damage itself is covered only if caused by certain perils, and wind is not one of them. Under the debris removal section, the insurer pays up to a stated maximum to remove fallen trees caused by wind, but only if the tree damages covered property, such as the house or other structures. If the tree does no damage to covered property, there is no coverage for removing it.

Policies differ, and endorsements can change the picture. The office's summary describes the standard policy; your declarations page and policy wording are what your insurer will apply.

2What that means in practice

A pine that falls across the backyard and hits nothing covered is usually the owner's cost to remove. A pine that falls on the roof is a different claim: the damage to the house is handled under the dwelling coverage, and removing the tree falls under debris removal, subject to the limit. A tree that lands on a fence, shed or detached garage may involve other structures coverage. Ask your agent which parts of the policy apply before work starts.

Keep the tree service's invoice itemized, separating removal of the tree from the structure from other cleanup, so the adjuster can match costs to coverage.

3Filing the claim

The office's claim tips are practical. Know your policy, including what is covered, excluded and the deductibles. File as soon as possible by calling your agent or the company's claims line, since the policy may set a time limit for notice. Give complete, correct information. Keep copies of everything and a log of each call with the date, name and title of the person and what was said. Keep a record of your time and expenses.

Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage, keep the receipts, and photograph or video the damage first. Do not make permanent repairs before the damage is inspected.

4If you disagree with the offer

Ask the adjuster for an itemized explanation of the settlement offer, and ask for the specific policy language behind any part you dispute. If the claim is denied, get a written letter explaining the reason and citing the policy language. The office says not to rush into a settlement and to be prepared to negotiate. The disaster guide describes the appraisal clause, which lets you and the insurer present a disputed amount to an independent umpire.

If you have a complaint about how a claim is being handled, the office's Consumer Services Division may be able to help; its published numbers are (404) 656-2070 and toll-free (800) 656-2298.

5Safety while you wait

Keep people and pets away from any tree that is cracked, hung up in another tree, leaning on a structure or touching a wire. Do not stand under hanging limbs, and do not try to pull a tree off a roof or a line yourself. Mark the area with tape or cones if you can do so from a safe distance. If a tree is resting on the house, move people out of the rooms underneath until it is removed. Shut off the gas or water only if you know how and the shutoff is safely reachable. Write down what happened and when, take photographs from a safe distance, and keep a list of anyone you call. If you are hiring help, describe the hazard clearly so the provider can bring the right equipment and crew.

6Keep a record

Start a single folder, paper or digital, for the job. Put in it the photos, the quotes, any permit or encroachment approval, the utility's reference number if you reported an outage, the insurer's claim number and the names of everyone you dealt with. Note dates. After the work, add the final invoice and photos of the finished site. A record like this helps with an insurance claim, with a question from the county or city, and with a buyer years from now who asks why a tree is gone or where a stump was ground.

7Prepare for the next storm

Walk the property after leaf drop, when the structure of each tree is easiest to see, and note trees with dead tops, large dead limbs, cracks, cavities, mushrooms at the base or a new lean. Look up for limbs hanging over the roof, the driveway and the service line to the house. Keep the utility's outage numbers, your insurer's claim line and your policy number where you can reach them without power. Photograph your house and yard now so you have a record of how things looked before a storm. If a tree worries you, have it looked at in calm weather, when scheduling is easier and there is time to compare quotes.

8Neighbor's tree, your yard

When a neighbor's tree falls on your property, ask both insurers how they handle it; the office's guides do not set a separate rule for this case. Record the damage, notify your company and keep the same records. For the first steps after a storm, see the storm tree guide.