A tree just fell on your property — what your insurance will (and won’t) pay for

If you’ve ever had a tree come down on your house, your fence, your car, or your driveway, your first thought wasn’t about the tree. It was about the bill.

Here’s what most homeowners in MA and NH don’t realize until they’re already on the phone with their insurance company:

Whether your homeowners policy covers tree removal isn’t about how big the tree was, or how much damage it caused. It’s about a few specific details — what the tree hit, why it fell, and whose tree it was. Get those details right and your claim is straightforward. Get them wrong and you’re paying out of pocket.

At AA Tree Service, we work with homeowners across MA and NH on insurance claims every storm season. Here’s the plain-language version of what actually gets covered.

1. The Rule Most Policies Follow

Every policy is different, but standard homeowners insurance in MA and NH follows a simple principle:

Insurance covers the damage the tree caused — not the tree itself.

What that means in practice:

• If a tree falls on your house, garage, fence, shed, or driveway, removal and damage repair are usually covered
• If a tree falls in your yard without hitting anything, it’s usually not covered
• If a tree blocks your driveway or a handicap-access ramp, some policies cover removal even without structural damage
• If the tree damages a vehicle, the claim usually shifts to your auto policy, not your homeowners

There’s nuance underneath all of this — but if you remember nothing else, remember: insurance follows the damage, not the tree.

2. What’s Usually Covered

Most standard MA and NH homeowners policies will cover, in some form:

• Removal of the tree from the damaged structure
• Repair of the structure (roof, wall, fence, shed, etc.)
• Cleanup of debris directly related to the damage
• Temporary repairs (tarping a roof, boarding a window) to prevent further loss
• Loss of use if the damage forces you out of the home

Most policies cap tree removal at $500 to $1,500 per tree — sometimes higher if the tree caused structural damage. Read the “Other Coverages” section of your policy for the exact limit.

3. What’s Usually NOT Covered

This is the part that surprises people:

• Trees that fall in your yard without hitting anything. No damage, no claim.
• Trees removed proactively (preventive removal of a dead or hazardous tree before it falls)
• Trees that died of disease, decay, or neglect. If the insurer can show the tree was visibly dying and you didn’t maintain it, the claim can be denied.
• Damage to landscaping (lawns, gardens, ornamentals) beyond a small limit — usually 5% of dwelling coverage
• Costs above your per-tree limit on multi-tree storm events

This is why our tree hazard assessment is such a smart investment — documented professional inspections help establish that you’ve maintained your trees, which strengthens any future claim.

4. What If My Neighbor’s Tree Fell on My Property?

This is one of the most common questions we get — and the answer surprises almost everyone.

If your neighbor’s tree falls on your property, your insurance handles it — not your neighbor’s.

Sounds backwards, but here’s why: insurance treats this as your damage to your property, and it’s faster to process under your own policy than to chase the neighbor’s. Your insurer may then “subrogate” — go after your neighbor’s insurer for reimbursement — but that’s their job, not yours.

The exception: if you can prove the neighbor was negligent (the tree was clearly dead, you’d notified them in writing, they refused to address it), then their liability coverage may pay. Without that paper trail, it’s your policy.

5. What to Do in the First 48 Hours

The first two days after a tree falls are the most important. Here’s the order to do things:

1. Make sure everyone is safe. Stay away from downed power lines and call the utility if any are involved.
2. Take photos of everything. Wide shots, close-ups, the tree, the damage, the surrounding area. Time-stamped.
3. Call your insurance company. File the claim and get a claim number. Don’t wait for a contractor first.
4. Mitigate further damage. Tarp the roof, board broken windows. Save all receipts — these are reimbursable.
5. Get a written estimate from a licensed, insured tree service. Not the cheapest crew you can find at 7am.
6. Let the adjuster see it before major work begins (unless safety requires immediate action).

Our tree service insurance claims page covers our full process for working with adjusters — including providing the photo documentation and itemized scope of work most insurers need.

6. Why a Licensed, Insured Tree Service Matters for Your Claim

Insurance companies don’t pay claims based on whatever you hand them. They pay based on documentation — and that documentation has to come from a contractor whose paperwork they trust.

What insurers expect:

• Itemized estimate with scope of work clearly listed
• Proof of contractor licensing and liability insurance
• Time-stamped before/after photos
• Final invoice that matches the original estimate
• If asked, direct communication between the contractor and the adjuster

A cash-only crew that shows up the morning after a storm with a chainsaw and a pickup truck cannot provide any of this. We can — every time. Our emergency tree removal services include full documentation built specifically for insurance claims.

What This Means for Your Trees Right Now

The single most important thing you can do for any future tree claim is to document the health of your trees today — before anything happens.

A professional hazard assessment establishes that you’ve maintained your trees responsibly. If something falls later, that documentation is the difference between “act of nature” (covered) and “neglected hazard” (denied).

It also gives you a chance to remove a known dangerous tree before it falls — even though preventive removal isn’t covered, it’s still vastly cheaper than the deductible, the damage, and the months of insurance back-and-forth.

Insurance-Ready Tree Service Across MA & NH

AA Tree Service handles storm damage and emergency tree removals across Massachusetts and New Hampshire — with the licensing, insurance, and documentation that makes claims go smoothly. Whether you’re dealing with a tree on the house right now or just want to get ahead of one that might fall later, we’ve worked with most major insurers in the region.

Need Help With a Tree-Related Claim?

Time matters when there’s already damage. Call us for emergency response today — we’ll get the tree off safely, document everything your adjuster needs, and help move the claim forward.

We proudly serve Boston, Concord, Nashua, Manchester, and surrounding areas throughout MA and NH.

FAQs

1. Does homeowners insurance cover tree removal in MA or NH?
   Usually yes — if the tree damaged a covered structure like your house, garage, fence, or shed. If the tree fell in your yard without hitting anything, removal is typically not covered.
2. What if my neighbor’s tree fell on my house?
   Your insurance handles it under your policy, even though it was their tree. The exception is if you can prove the neighbor was negligent — for example, if the tree was visibly dead and they were notified in writing and refused to act.
3. Will insurance pay to remove a dead tree before it falls?
   No. Preventive tree removal is almost never covered, even if the tree is clearly hazardous. But documenting the hazard with a professional assessment can strengthen any future claim if it does eventually fall.
4. How much does homeowners insurance pay for tree removal?
   Most policies cap tree removal at $500 to $1,500 per tree, with limits on the total per claim. If the tree caused structural damage to a covered building, additional removal costs are often covered under the structural damage portion of the claim.
5. Does it matter who I hire to do the tree removal?
   Yes — significantly. Insurers expect itemized estimates, proof of licensing and liability insurance, and documentation that matches the final invoice. A licensed, insured tree service makes the claim go smoothly. A cash-only crew often delays or denies coverage.