Many of us live in areas that are prone to experiencing inclement weather from time to time. For some of us, this may mean a light drizzle. In other areas, however, powerful winds and thunderstorms may knock power lines about and cause havoc in many other ways. When it comes to severe weather, nothing can be a greater threat to your home and other personal possessions than the trees lining your property. Since many people fail to properly maintain such trees, usually in an attempt to avoid tree removal costs and other maintenance-related expenditures, the threat is much more pronounced than they think.
Although trees are incredibly resilient, they can be effectively overpowered by strong winds, causing them to fall on automobiles or your home. In situations like this, the first question that comes to mind is who is responsible for covering the damage. In most cases, your homeowner’s insurance policy should kick in to cover the cost of tree removal and any other related damages. However, they might not be willing to pay the tree stump removal cost or any fees for root removal. Your insurance company will assign a contractor to come inspect the toppled tree and to create a plan of attack. Depending on how the tree fell, some specialized equipment like a crane may need to be used to lift it up off the home’s roof. Furthermore, other potential obstacles will need to be identified, such as any fallen power lines that may pose a dangerous work environment.
Emergency tree removal can usually be conducted within mere hours after an incident has occurred, although repairs to the home itself might take longer to complete depending on the degree of damage. If the tree that has caused damage to your home is located on an adjacent property, you will still have to sort the details out with your insurance company. In most circumstances, neighbors are not generally liable. However, if it is evident that the tree was in a state of disarray and you made attempts to notify your neighbor of the problem, they may end up having to cover the damage.
If your property sustains any damage during unfavorable weather, let is serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining your trees and encouraging your neighbors to do the same. Trim overgrown branches and have any dead trees removed by a professional. Furthermore, try your best to relocate valuable possessions so they are not within the clear path of the tree. If you have an uncovered parking area that is within close proximity to a tree, consider hiring a contractor to build some sort of enclosure. Every step you take today to minimize the likelihood of damage can save you a major hassle later down the line.