Winnipeg Insurance Brokers Ltd. Unit 106-2565 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0P4
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A tree falling on a home is a pretty nightmare-ish scenario. Within minutes, you go from living your life to panicking about injury, property damage, and possible liability.
Thankfully, in many cases, your Manitoba home insurance policy will cover the damage caused by fallen trees. But filing a claim might not always be in your best interest because there may be insurance exclusions on your policy. You’ll also want to weigh the options of filing a claim, because the cost of removing a tree and repairing damage out of pocket may be more affordable than paying your deductible (and possibly losing valuable claims-free premium discounts on your policy!).
So, read on, to understand what’s covered, what’s not, and if a fallen tree claim is worth filing.
If a tree has already fallen on your home—or you just don’t want to do any more googling—get in touch with us. Our Insurance Consultants will get you the answers you need for your unique situation.
Home insurance policies are meant to protect your home and other structures on your property— like a fence or shed—against specific causes of loss. In insurance, we call these “perils.”
Covered perils are typically things like damage caused by a wind or snowstorm.
Any vehicles on your property won’t be covered under your homeowner’s insurance because it’s not considered an extension of your home. If a tree falls on your vehicle, you must file a claim with Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI).
When youu submit a claim for a tree falling on your property, if covered, your home insurance policy will typically pay to repair:
Absolutely. Home insurance policies cover fallen trees, but that coverage depends on several factors. What caused the tree to fall? What kind of damage resulted?
Important note: Property insurance will not cover loss or damage caused by negligence or a maintenance-related issue.
The clean-up is covered if it’s related to property damage.
However, if a tree falls without causing any damage to your insured property, you are responsible for the clean-up as there’s nothing to submit a claim for. The same goes for cleaning up dead trees and branches.
No, it doesn’t matter whose property the tree falls from. If there is damage to your property, your provider will pay the cost of repairing associated damages.
If a tree falls from your neighbour’s property, you can still claim on your insurance policy if the cause of the damage is covered. If a tree falls because of rotting, or because it’s dead, your home insurance may not cover the damage. But you may be able to file a liability claim against your neighbour’s home insurance policy.
It depends! If the tree fell due to neglect on your part (for example if you let the tree rot or failed to remove a dead tree), then that’s on you (not your insurance policy) to pay for. However, if a tree falls for any other reason, your coverage will take care of it. Your neighbour will need to open the claim through their property insurance.
If a tree on your property falls on someone else’s vehicle, the owner of that vehicle can claim it under their MPI policy. If, however, the owner has no coverage, they might ask you to file a claim under your third-party liability coverage
You can regularly check for, and remove, dead branches to protect your home or lessen potential damage. Also, consider pruning branches from neighbouring trees that extend over your property line.
While home insurance often covers damage from fallen trees, filing a home insurance claim can be a more costly option than making the repairs yourself. Just because you can claim on your insurance, doesn’t mean you necessarily should. You often save money removing the fallen tree and repairing damage, rather than paying a home insurance deductible and possibly losing some valuable premium discounts.
If that’s the case for you, it might not be worth making the claim.
If a tree falls on your home, give us a call or contact your insurance provider directly. We will help you determine whether the loss would be covered by your policy and consult with you about whether a claim is worth pursuing. And, if it is, we’ll help you get it started.
Want to ensure you have the coverage you need in case a tree falls on your property? Contact us.
We’ll help you secure the coverage you need and the peace of mind you deserve – so you can relax and enjoy your home—regardless of what Mother Nature throws your way.
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We are committed to the communities where we live and work, and we demonstrate our commitment by taking part in sponsorship and volunteer programs.
We love it here, too.
We are committed to the communities where we live and work, and we demonstrate our commitment by taking part in sponsorship and volunteer programs.
Winnipeg Insurance Brokers Ltd. Unit 106-2565 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0P4
Winnipeg Insurance Brokers Ltd. serves our clients and operates on Treaty One land; homeland of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Ojibway, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Red River Metis. Our drinking water comes from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, in Treaty Three territory. We respect the treaties, the land, and the water that sustain us.