Does a tree fall on your property? What to do? Who is responsible? How much will it cost? These are key questions people ask when a tree or branch falls on their property.
Trees falling on your property is an unfortunate but common occurrence. It could happen to anyone and even though it may be a simple task to clear your yard of the tree fallen, it will take time, effort, and money.
Sometimes, a storm will bring down a tree and block your driveway or sidewalk. You may be wondering whom I should contact to get the tree removed. In this write-up, we’ll talk about who could be responsible and what to do when a tree falls on your property.
What If A Tree Falls Within Your Property?
If you have a tree on your property, you should know how to deal with a fallen tree. In most cases, if the tree falls on your house, you will be responsible for any damages caused by the fall. Here are a few things you can do if a tree accidentally falls on your property.
Call An Arborist
If you have a tree within your property that’s starting to fall or just fallen due to a storm or any other natural factor, you need to call an arborist.
The arborist will determine the cause of the fall and assess the damage to determine if it is repairable or not. The cost of this assessment will depend on many factors including the size of the tree.
A trained arborist will be able to help you decide what course of action is best for your situation. They may also be able to suggest ways to save your tree by minimizing its exposure to storm damage. The best way to get an expert opinion is by hiring a licensed professional who specializes in tree care and restoration.
Emergency Tree Service
If you are unfortunate enough to have a tree fall on your property, it can be an extremely stressful situation. The first thing that you need to do is call a professional tree service company. This will ensure that they can handle the situation and get rid of the tree safely. If you want to save money on the cost of the service, then choose one of the top-rated emergency tree service companies.
Call An Insurance Agent
If you have a tree fallen on your property, call an insurance agent. The agent can tell you how much coverage is required to cover the damage caused by a fallen tree in your yard.
In addition, if any parts of the tree are not covered by your insurance policy, you may be able to obtain additional coverage through a policy. They provide coverage for damage caused by windstorms, hail, or other perils that are beyond the scope of your policy.
What If My Tree Falls On A Neighbor’s Property?
When a tree falls on your neighbor’s property or a neighbor’s tree branch falls on my property, the damage can be severe and the situation becomes extremely stressful. The financial burden is a concern, second only to concerns about everyone’s safety.
You may wonder, in most cases, if your neighbor’s insurance company will cover the costs of the damage. Typically, you will not be held liable for damages if the tree fell due to natural forces such as a weather event. However, if the tree fell due to your negligence, you may be held financially liable.
If there is negligence, such as dead limbs that you failed to remove despite knowing about them, your neighbor’s insurance company may seek subrogation. This could result in the cost of damages being borne by your insurer and, possibly, by you.
Am I Legally Obligated To Pay for Tree Damage?
The answer to this question depends on the type of tree you have and the specific circumstances surrounding your tree falling on another person’s house. If you own a tall tree with roots that extend into another person’s yard, then you may be required by law to pay for any damage caused by your tree falling onto their property.
That depends on whether your tree is located over the property line. If so, then you’re responsible for any damage to their property that results from falling branches or other debris that comes off your tree. If not, then it’s not up to you to pay for any damages caused by falling trees.
All these legal obligations may vary from place to place, so you need to get in touch with your local tree removal company to get more details on this point.
Who Pays the Costs of Fallen Tree Damage?
In most states, trees are considered public property. That means that if someone damages a tree on private property, they have to pay for the damage. If they fail to remove the tree or cut down branches that fall onto their neighbor’s property, they could be liable for thousands of dollars in damages.
So who pays? The homeowners or the tree owners? As a general rule, under most circumstances, the tree owner will be responsible for any damage caused by fallen trees. But there are exceptions to this rule — some states allow homeowners to claim compensation for any damage caused by falling branches or other debris from trees that were growing on public property before it was damaged.
Consider Hiring Tree Removal Rochester NY Services For All Your Tree Needs
If you’re unsure whether your trees are healthy, our team at Tree Soldier Rochetser can help. We have access to all types of equipment including aerial lifts for large trees, cranes for smaller ones, ladders for those who want to make their repairs, and trucks with specialized equipment for more unique situations such as old-growth trees or damaged limbs. We can keep your trees healthy and safely remove those that have become a hazard. Contact us today to set up an appointment for an inspection and schedule maintenance if needed!