Spring has come again and with the beauty of spring and summer come the storms of spring and summer. Many storms during this period of the year can bring with them damaging winds, hail and torrents of rain. These storms remind us of just how dangerous Mother Nature can be.
We often get the question, “If my neighbor’s tree falls on my house, who pays for it?” If it’s your neighbor’s tree and it falls on your house, they, or their insurance company, should pay for it. Simple right?
Let’s think about this from another angle. Let’s say your tree falls on your neighbor’s house. To the best of your knowledge it was a healthy tree and you did nothing wrong. Should you, or your insurance company, pay for it? How can you be expected to stop the wind?
Most insurance policies will cover this kind of damage for the owners of the property damaged, most commonly under a homeowner’s policy. It may involve a deductible on your part, but this is why you buy insurance.
We also get the question “My neighbor’s tree is weak or damaged and hanging over my house. What can I do?” That situation is more in the category of “Risk Management”. Talk to the neighbor and let them know your concern. If that does not solve the problem, an attorney may be able to give you some guidance.
If you have any other puzzling situations or coverage questions, contact us today at 419-732-3171 and we will do our best to help you out. Keep the Frederick Agency in mind for all of your coverage needs!