Severe weather keeps rolling through Southwest Missouri including wind, SO much rain, a little hail, and of course there always seems to be the chance for a tornado. With all the weather activity, we’ve been fielding lots of calls about downed trees and what it means when it comes to insurance. We thought it’d be helpful to quickly go over what you need to know about homeowner’s insurance, bad weather, and downed trees.
The next time the forecast calls for heavy downpours and high winds, keep the following in mind:
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If a storm causes a tree to fall on your home, garage, fence, outdoor building, dock, or other permanent structures, your homeowner’s policy should cover any and all structural damage.
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Your homeowner’s insurance most likely won’t cover the cost to remove any downed trees or other debris.
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If by chance, your policy does cover debris removal, it won’t be 100%. Tree removal can cost up to $2,000-6,000 depending on the size
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of the debris field, how many trees are down, and how big they are.
If large trees surround your home, maintain and inspect them regularly. Removing a few proactively, before a storm has the opportunity, will save you time, money, and definitely a few headaches.
We also want to remind you that the insurance industry is definitely a little interesting right now, and before you jump to turn in a claim for a few $$ over your deductible, give us a call and we can help you determine what the best next step is for you & your specific situation.
Interested in a little more information about insurance coverage and trees? Check out this article from our agency partner, West Bend. And as always, never hesitate to reach out if you have any questions regarding the specific coverage provided by your insurance policy.