How to act when a tree falls on your house

It is normal for accidents to happen. A tree falling on your house can occur in cities near the coast when storms arise. There are only 5 steps you must take in order to fix a tree that falls on a house.

This task can be accomplished in days or it may take years. Because there are always legal issues as to the extent of the damage and who must repair-pay for it.

What to do if a tree falls on your house?

When a tree falls on a house you need to follow the next steps:

1. Stay safe

A tree falling on a house is an imminent risk, so whatever the tree is, before doing anything, get your family to safety and take shelter away from where the tree has fallen. Get away from the damaged structural part, even if it means running to a neighbor’s house, do it. You don’t know if there is severe structural damage and a collapse is imminent.

2. Assess the damage

When everyone is safe, assess the damage from outside your home to see if the tree knocked down power lines or is in danger of collapse. Turn down breakers or turn off fuses, and shut off gas and water lines, if possible.

3. Document everything

No matter the magnitude of the damage, take pictures, write a report, record videos, everything necessary from different angles and with good lighting. If it is not possible, find a way to illuminate it with lamps at night to have visible photos of the damage. Do not omit anything; the photos you take now are vital as proof for your insurance claim.

4. Cover openings

Watch out for damaged structures, but do your best to cover holes, at least temporarily, whenever possible. If there is a tree on a roof, don’t go up and cover it with a tarp: wait for a professional with safety equipment.

5. Call for help

This should be done immediately, but fallen trees often knock out telephone networks or electricity, which is impossible. You should call 911 for help, have them assess the damage, and perhaps recommend a contractor. You should also call your insurance company and electric company.

An agent can advise you on how to proceed to get home professionals to come out, and the utility company can send someone to make sure the utilities are safely disconnected.

What you should know about homeowner’s insurance claims in the event of a tree falling on the home

Tree falls at home can result in large and extensive time and money premiums. The following tips will help you make the most of your insurance coverage in the event this disaster happens to you.

Your insurance company may ask you to consult with two or three local contractors to obtain estimates for repair work. Or, depending on your insurance company, they may send an adjuster to examine your home. In that case, the adjuster will determine the extent of the damage and the repair costs involved.

If an “act of nature” – such as thunderstorms, ice storms, and high winds – caused the tree to fall on the house, in most cases, your policy will cover the repair costs, minus the deductible. Your policy will pay even if the fallen tree belongs to a neighbor or municipality in an “Act of Nature” situation. However, your claim may be denied if you caused the tree to fall through recklessness, such as attempting to cut it down without professional help.

Postpone permanent repairs until you and your insurer reach an agreement on the amount of your claim

Depending on your policy, your insurer may impose limits on certain repairs, such as the price of tree removal.

If the costs exceed the allowable amount, you may be responsible for the remainder.

The total amount offered by your insurer does not cover the cost of the estimated repairs, you have the right to appeal their decision and have your claim reevaluated.

If this happens, submit bids from contractors showing that the costs are higher than your insurer allows.

Keep a record of expenses related to the damage

Keep all related purchase receipts; emergency damage control expenses always cover. If your home is not habitable, your insurance company may also reimburse you for part of the cost of temporarily renting an apartment or staying in a hotel. However, don’t assume that all expenses will cover – call your agent to confirm.

Make final payments only when you are satisfied with the contractor’s work

Legitimate contractors usually ask for payment for materials before starting work, but should not ask for payment in advance for the labor needed to make repairs. If the repairs are extensive and will take more than a few weeks to complete, the contractor may reasonably request that partial payments be made according to an agreed schedule, but final payment should be made only when the repairs are completed to his satisfaction.

Can a house withstand a tree falling on it?

Whatever the cause of a falling tree. A house can either collapse completely or stand up and withstand the force of the falling tree and suffer only minor damage.

Importance of hiring a structural engineer

Just as when a hurricane or snowstorm hits a neighborhood, it is necessary to immediately assess the damage caused to ensure that the home is still habitable. For this, it is important to contact a structural engineer.

They are the only ones who can tell you the severity of the damage and recommend or make you a work plan so that you can begin repairs.

They must check absolutely everything, basements, foundations, beams, columns, siding, floors, gutters, cracks and faults, roofs, ventilation, water pipes, gas, and electrical systems.

The frequency of tree falls on houses and property damage from trees continues to increase, resulting in nearly $1 billion in structural damage per year. And it is a problem that must be addressed immediately and preparations made to minimize it.

Written by Vanessa Gallanti. December 2, 2023

Enthusiast about planning, project management, construction materials and technology, and construction. A civil engineer from Los Andes University and a content writer for Kukun.