Hurricane season is underway, which makes it crucial for property owners to conduct thorough preparations to prevent incurring costly damages from a variety of sources, such as fallen trees. Heavy rains and strong winds can cause trees to collapse on to your structure, which could be life-threatening and result to expensive repairs. While there are experts who can restore your structure, such as ServiceMaster by Wright, preventing tree damage can save you hundreds of dollars in repairs.
It is important to understand how to take proper care of trees for them to survive this season’s storms. ServiceMaster by Wright has prepared some tips about tree care and tree damage for property owners’ reference before a storm strikes.Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fallen Trees?
- A fallen tree is classified as a peril in insurance terms and may be included in coverage.
- If a tree fell due to natural causes, such as heavy rainfall, storms or strong winds, the cost of any damage to a property, garage or shed will most likely be covered by homeowners insurance.
- However, if negligence or poor maintenance are proven to be the cause of the tree's collapse, damages incurred will not be covered.
- Insurance will typically not cover debris cleanup caused by a fallen tree, especially if no structural damage was caused.
- Repair costs for a neighbor's fallen tree is covered by that person's policy.
- For additional coverage information, contact your insurance provider.
How to Spot an Unhealthy Tree
An unhealthy tree poses a increased risk of falling during a storm or severe weather. Signs of an unhealthy tree include:
- Hollowed out sections (have them checked by a local arborist)
- Large and visible cracks found on the branches and trunks
- Older trees
- Rotting, mold or fungal growth on the bark of the tree
- Trees and branches leaning at a sharp angle
If any of these signs are noticed, take action immediately:
- Contact the local power company to report any tree limbs close to utility lines.
- Do not cut a tree down without professional assistance, as it can potentially cause injury.
- Old trees or those that appear to lean must be inspected by a professional.
- Prune branches close to a structure.
- Trim dangling or cracked tree limbs.
If a tree collapses on your structure, contact your insurance provider right away to begin the claims process. Don’t forget to document the damage through photographs or videos to support your claim. Need help with storm damage restoration in Fort Myers, Florida or the surrounding areas? Contact ServiceMaster by Wright.
Make an Appointment for Storm Damage Restoration
ServiceMaster by Wright is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to respond to tree damage emergencies in Bonita Springs, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Captiva, Englewood, Estero, Fort Myers, Iona, LaBelle, Lehigh Acres, Longboat Key, Marco Island, Naples, North Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, San Carlos Park, Sanibel Island, Sarasota, Siesta Key, and Venice, Florida. We offer FREE inspections and estimates to both residential and commercial properties.
Stop by our office at 6451 Arc Way, Fort Myers, FL 33966 or visit our website to discover our additional Southwest Florida locations.
Call ServiceMaster by Wright at (239) 431-9947 or connect with us online to schedule an appointment.
