Trees add beauty, shade, and value to your property, but they also come with responsibility. When a large branch falls, or a tree starts leaning a little more than it should, one of the first questions many homeowners ask is: Will my Homeowners Insurance cover this? Just as important is whether insurance helps pay for routine tree care like trimming and pruning, or removal before problems occur.

In this guide, we explore everything you need to know about homeowners insurance and tree care. Read on to learn what’s typically covered in policies and what’s not, and proactive tree care strategies that can safeguard your property and reduce liability.

Homeowners Insurance and Tree Care: What’s Covered and Not Covered?

Many homeowners assume that because trees are part of their property, any tree-related expense will automatically be covered. However, insurance policies typically cover unexpected damage caused by storms, fire, or vandalism, and do not cover preventative tree maintenance. 

You are still responsible for keeping the trees on your property in good condition though. If you fail to take care of your trees and that neglect leads to property damage, you could be held responsible, and your insurance claim may be denied.

Below, we take a closer look at what tree-related expenses are typically covered by homeowners insurance, and what is not.

What’s Covered (Typically)

Homeowners insurance usually covers tree-related damage caused by sudden, unexpected events, which are called “covered perils.”

Covered perils generally include:

• Strong wind
• Lightning strike
• Heavy rain, hail, or snow
• Fires
• Vandalism

In these scenarios, many homeowners insurance policies cover items like:

• Damage to structures: if a healthy tree falls and damages an insured structure on your property, like a house, garage, fence, or detached shed 
• Tree removal: if the tree damages a structure and is blocking access to your home (most policies place a dollar limit on removal) 
• Neighbor’s tree: if your neighbor’s healthy tree falls due to a covered event and damages your property

What’s Not Covered (Typically)

Homeowners insurance does not cover routine care, preventable issues, or damage that isn’t tied to a covered event.

Common exclusions include:

• Preventative tree maintenance: tree trimming, pruning, pest control, disease treatment, cabling, or bracing
• Proactive tree removal: removing a dying tree beyond saving before it falls
• Damage to non-structures: if a tree falls on your property but only damages non-insured structures, landscaping, or nothing at all
• Damage to vehicles: usually covered under auto insurance, not homeowners insurance
• Neglect: if a tree was dead, rotting, or obviously hazardous before it fell, a claim may be denied
• Damage caused by tree roots: foundation cracks, driveway lifting, plumbing damage, or sidewalk shifting caused by roots 

Even though the responsibility of ongoing tree maintenance falls on the homeowner, it’s still an essential investment that could end up saving you money in the long-term.

Tree Care Strategies to Reduce Risk and Liability

At Vintage Tree Care, our approach to preventative tree maintenance is guided by decades of hands-on experience. Under the leadership of company owner and certified arborist Fred Frey, our team works closely with homeowners to reduce safety hazards, protect property, and help prevent costly issues before they happen.

As Frey often reminds clients:

“Luck favors the prepared. Consistent observation and routine care significantly reduce the risk of tree failure.”

Many hazardous tree situations develop over time. Cracks, decay, structural weakness, and canopy dieback rarely happen overnight. With regular monitoring and strategic maintenance, many tree-related concerns can be corrected before they become emergencies.

Below are some practical and proactive tree maintenance strategies to keep your trees healthy, reduce safety risks, and protect your property.

Regular Tree Risk Assessments

One of the best ways to consistently keep your trees stable and strong is to schedule regular tree risk assessments. A tree risk assessment (TRA) is a routine check-up completed by a certified arborist to evaluate the health of a tree.

It involves checking for problems that could compromise stability or put your property at risk, such as:

• Infections and diseases 
• Pest infestations 
• Weather damage 
• Proximity to power lines or other structures 
• Dead branches 
• Splits, cracks, and cavities 
• Severe leaning 
• Exposed, severed, or decaying roots 

If any issues are detected, your arborist will recommend solutions to improve the tree’s condition, such as pruning, cabling and bracing, or pest treatment. Removal is only suggested if the tree is beyond saving, likely to fall, and poses a major safety risk to surrounding property.

As Fred explains:

“Homeowners should proactively evaluate their trees for potential failure and take corrective action whenever possible. Just as important is documenting those efforts, which shows due diligence in managing risks. Insurance companies can cancel coverage if these requirements aren’t met.”

It’s generally a good idea to schedule tree risk assessments at least once a year. However, you may need them more frequently depending on the tree’s condition.

Trim Overhanging Branches

Overhanging tree branches are some of the most common causes of preventable property damage. This is any branch that hangs over a structure, utility line, or neighboring property.

Overhanging limbs are a major safety risk because they can break off and damage your roof, gutter, or power line. During a fire, they can also become a direct pathway for flames to travel from surrounding vegetation to your home. This can lead to highly dangerous situations and costly repairs.

If you experience damage from an overhanging branch and your insurer determines it was dead, diseased, or otherwise neglected, they may deny your claim. Scheduling routine trimming and pruning with a certified arborist helps mitigate liability and shows you did your due diligence.

Create Defensible Space

Defensible Space is an essential part of safeguarding your property from wildfires. This space acts as a buffer zone between your property and surrounding vegetation to help slow the spread of fire. It also creates an area for firefighters to work more safely.

Sonoma County residents are all too familiar with “fire season.” As the risk of wildfire grows, insurers have become increasingly strict about what they require from policyholders. Many companies now require homeowners to maintain a certain level of defensible space, with some canceling or refusing to renew policies if requirements aren’t met.

As Fred notes:

“We have been hearing more and more about homeowners being denied coverage renewal if defensible space and risk management requirements aren’t maintained.”

Tree care is an important aspect of maintaining defensible space. A certified arborist can remove or prune trees that are too close to your home to reduce potential fuels. This not only improves fire resistance but also avoids negligence that could potentially result in claim denial.

Contact Vintage Tree Care: Santa Rosa’s Trusted Certified Arborists

Homeowners insurance often covers damage caused by trees due to unexpected events like storms. Preventative tree care and ongoing maintenance are generally not covered. However, proper maintenance is essential for keeping your trees in good condition and reducing your risk of liability.

At Vintage Tree Care, we have decades of experience helping Sonoma County residents keep their trees beautiful and healthy. Whether you need a tree risk assessment or comprehensive maintenance, our certified arborists are highly experienced and happy to help.

Don’t wait until disaster strikes. Contact us online or call (707) 495-4686 to stay proactive and give your trees the expert care they deserve.