My Neighbor's Tree Damaged My Property

October 17, 2022

If your neighbor’s tree damages your property during high winds, your home insurance will cover the damage and removal of the tree.

Get An Insurance Quote

Talk to your Western Coast insurance expert about purchasing home insurance. We have the knowledge and expertise to guide you through this process.

My neighbor's tree damaged my property in a windstorm, whose insurance covers the damage?

Your home insurance protects your home, detached structures, and other property regardless of whose side of the fence the tree was on. If your neighbor’s tree falls on your house due to fire or a weather-related event like high winds, lightning, ice, or snow, your home insurance should cover the damage.

If the tree damages a fence or a shed, there may be a cap on coverage, typically 10% of your home insurance coverage. If no structures were damaged but the tree damaged your landscaping, your home insurance will cover it up to a certain amount, usually 5% of the amount your home is insured for.

Who covers tree removal?

If your neighbor’s tree damaged your property after high winds, in addition to the damage to your property, your home insurance covers the removal of the tree. Tree removal often has a cap of $500 or $1000.

Your Western Coast insurance expert will answer any questions you may have about home insurance and what policy is right for you.

What if the tree fell for another reason?

Home insurance does not cover damage caused by negligence or lack of maintenance, so if your neighbor's tree fell for another reason, such as disease or rotting, your home insurance may not cover the damage. You may be able to file a liability claim with your neighbor's home insurer, but your neighbor may have to pay for the damage directly if they knew the tree was dead, disease, or rotten.

If a neighbor’s tree is in bad shape, ask them to have it maintained or removed and keep written proof. Otherwise, negligence or lack of maintenance is difficult to prove and if the tree falls on your property, you may have a hard time getting your neighbor to cover the damage.

What should you do if your neighbor's tree damages your property during a windstorm?

If a tree has fallen on your property, make sure everyone is safe and notify emergency services if utilities have been damaged. Shut off power to your home if the tree has damaged power lines. Take photos from multiple angles and contact your insurer immediately to find out how to start a claim.

Fill out our FAST Path Form in one minute and one of Western Coast’s insurance experts will contact you shortly. Western Coast’s insurance experts are also available now in branch or on the phone to help you navigate the insurance journey that will give you the right policy for your situation.