If a tree falls on your house, get everyone out of the damaged part of the home and stay away from any downed power lines. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or lines are down. Once everyone is safe, take photos from a safe spot, call your insurance company, and get the roof tarped and openings boarded up before more rain or snow gets in.
Most people have never had to think about this until it happens, so here is the order that protects your family, your home and your claim.
Step 1: Get everyone safe
Leave the rooms under or next to the impact. Sagging ceilings, cracked rafters and shifted walls can give way hours later. Do not go into the attic or onto the roof. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility from outside.
Step 2: Stay away from power lines
A tree that came down in a storm may have pulled lines with it. Treat every downed wire as live. Keep people and pets far back and call DTE and 911.
Step 3: Document the damage
From a safe spot, take wide photos of the tree and house, then close-ups of the roof, siding, gutters, windows and any interior damage. Video works too. Note the date and time. Don’t throw away damaged items until your adjuster says so.
Step 4: Call your insurance company
According to the Insurance Information Institute, if a tree hits your house, you file with your own homeowners insurance, even if it was your neighbor’s tree. Your insurer may then try to recover costs from the neighbor’s insurer. The III also notes that removing the tree from an insured structure is usually covered up to a set limit, often around $500 to $1,000 depending on the policy. Damage to a car is handled under the comprehensive part of your auto policy. Check your own policy for the details.
Step 5: Stop more damage
An open roof lets in rain and snow, and water damage can end up bigger than the tree damage. Emergency tarping and board-up keep the weather out while you wait on the adjuster. Many policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage. Keep the receipts.
Step 6: Get a full inspection
Tree impacts often cause damage you can’t see from the ground: cracked trusses, crushed rafters, torn underlayment and wet insulation. A trained inspector checks the structure, roof, attic and interior so nothing is missed in the claim.
What does repair usually involve?
- Tree removal from the structure (often by a tree service working with the contractor)
- Emergency tarping and board-up
- Water extraction and drying if rain got in
- Framing and roof structure repair
- Roofing, siding and gutter replacement
- Interior repair: drywall, insulation, paint and flooring
How Aaron Builders handles storm damage
Aaron Builders has provided storm damage restoration in Southeast Michigan since 1979. We answer 24/7, arrive within one hour, and secure the house with tarps and board-up. Our Haag-certified inspectors check the roof and structure. Our Xactimate-certified estimators prepare the claim documentation and work with your adjuster. Then our crews rebuild the roof, siding and interior under a 5-year workmanship warranty. One company from the first tarp to final paint. Call (248) 957-9660.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays if my neighbor’s tree falls on my house?
Per the Insurance Information Institute, you file with your own homeowners insurer. Your insurer may seek repayment from the neighbor’s insurer, especially if the tree was dead or neglected.
Can I stay in the house?
Only if the damaged area is sealed off and a professional says the structure is safe. If you’re unsure, stay elsewhere.
Should I cut the tree off the roof myself?
No. A tree resting on a roof can shift as it’s cut and cause more damage or injury. Leave it to professionals.