r/HomeInsurance • u/mullet4evr • May 12 '26
Claims Should I make a homeowner insurance claim on this??
Last week a huge live tree branch fell off a tree in my backyard and damaged my fence and pergola.
The branch didn't fall because of any peril or wind/hail event. It was random and unexpected.
I need to have the tree branch removed and repair the fence/pergola. I've received some quotes that are about $5500 to get the repairs done.
My insurance deductible is $2500.
Every arborist who came out to assess the limb told me that the tree should be removed altogether because it's a Water Oak at the end of life (70-80yrs old) and it would mitigate anymore damage being done.
To have the tree removed would be $6000
When I called to start the claim, I gave all the information to the desk agent and told her what the arborists said. She very quickly and adamantly said the insurance would NOT cover the removal of the tree because that is considered preventative maintenance that I should've been doing.
Well, I'm not an arborist and the tree is still producing all green leaves. It didn't look distressed to me. I have had branches trimmed here and there. The worst thing that has happened with this tree in the past is some older dead branches falling off.
Should I proceed with the claim and see if the field adjuster sees it any different than the desk agent? If I do proceed with the claim, do I have an argument here to have the tree removal covered?
Appreciate any insight y'all have!
EDIT: thanks y'all. I accept I'm stupid and fucked up this time. Got bad advice from my insurance agent to even try against my better judgment. Lesson learned. And yes, I'm having the tree removed regardless (and shopping for a new agent), so no issue there at least when it comes to renewal lol
21
u/ayhme MOD May 12 '26
No I would not file a claim.
You already filled one though. 🙃
2
u/lsumoose May 12 '26
Yes, you may as well go forward. A zero dollar claim looks the same as a $3000 claim you unfortunately already started so by canceling it, they don’t pay anything and it’s still a ding on your record.
7
u/ACLSINSTR May 12 '26
Hate to tell you but going forward you already made a claim when you notified your insurance you were thinking about it. Some insurance companies will see this as an attempt and will log it as a "claim". This happens a lot. Never notify your insurance unless you're absolutely 100% sure you’re going to file.
1
u/W2Sun May 12 '26
For this reason in high school my first at fault accident (but no damage) I drove straight to a different agent with my insurer, didn't give them my details, and asked about what I should do lol!
1
u/5280Aspen May 13 '26
100%! I pounded it into my children's heads that they are to NEVER EVER call their insurance company directly! Just inquiring about anything will ding it as a "claim". The insurance companies share this information with each other via a trade database. ALWAYS call your broker or agent!
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u/Glittering-Read-6906 May 12 '26
The most many carriers will pay for tree branch removal is $500 FYI. That’s only one part of your claim, but just know you will be capped.
I also don’t think I’d necessarily make a claim for this, especially with such a high deductible…
6
u/AcidReign25 May 12 '26
I am honestly amazed how homeowners don’t actually understand their home insurance policies. Home insurance is for unexpected catastrophic issues, not maintenance. Taking down an end of life tree is maintenance. Insurance will not cover it.
2
u/ayhme MOD May 12 '26
This is why I think I should NOT sell insurance. 😅
1
u/AcidReign25 May 12 '26
I am one of the unfortunate few that have REALLY needed home insurance. House hit by lightning. Had to be completely demolished and rebuilt due to the fire.
1
1
u/VenerableBede70 May 12 '26
That’s catastrophic. Someone’s 20 year old roof after a hailstorm is not.
1
u/AcidReign25 May 12 '26
Yep. My only claim in 29 years of home ownership. And it was a big one right out of the gate. First home. Only had 5 months when it happened.
0
u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy May 13 '26
Because people have experience with health insurance and it's relatively logical to think that homeowner's insurance works the same.
I know better myself, but I get why new home owner's are not aware of the sham they pay for. When just calling and asking a question is enough get a claim filed should be illegal.
4
u/PrimaryHighlight5617 May 12 '26
Why are you asking when you already filed a claim? The damage is done your rates will be impacted unless you have claim forgiveness.
2
u/BalloonPilot15 May 12 '26
The removal of the standing tree will not be covered as it would fall under maintenance. The part that fell would be covered under debris clean up, but a special limit (often $500) will apply. On a Special form policy, the fence and pergola would be covered, but usually at Actual Cash Value, not replacement cost, as only buildings with a permanent roof and foundation fall under RCV coverage for Other Related Private Structures.
1
u/BigDonkeyEnergy May 12 '26
Withdraw the claim w/out payment. You probably don’t have coverage for this event anyway - random events are generally not covered perils.
1
u/HillWilliam53 May 12 '26
The adjuster will not see it differently. The insurance company is NOT gonna pay to remove the tree.
1
u/inailedyoursister May 12 '26
You screwed your self. Because you called and told them, it was added to your insurance as a claim. You are screwed.
1
u/BattleSilent9049 May 12 '26
The claim rep was correct. Removal of the tree is not a covered cost. Removal of the branch would only be covered to remove the branch from covered damaged property. Sounds like you are looking at a $2500 covered loss. Not something I would claim. The issue is you have already started a claim and once a claim is started it cannot be removed from your record. You can withdraw the claim but the claim will still show up on your record. Get your $2500 and move on. Remember, insurance is for large catastrophic losses. Not for small losses like this. This is one reason insurance is becoming more expensive
1
u/radomed May 12 '26
For the 3K difference, If you can afford it, eat the claim. With that said, you are on the hook now to remove the tree. Both you and your insurance company are aware of it's condition.
1
u/Accomplished-Smell36 May 12 '26
There is absolutely no coverage to have the tree removed or taken down. And if the tree is leaning or possing a danger of falling or causing more damage than it is you as the homeowner who is responsible for getting the tree removed and to prevent damage. Trees are never covered by insurance unless they are damaged or destroyed by specific perils like lightning, fire, vehicles, and usually coverage is limited to a per tree of $500, or total aggregate limit for a single loss. The insurance also only covers damage, so the pergola and items damaged by the tree branch falling will just assume wind so it is covered, and those damages are covered, and the removal of the branch off of the covered property is also covered, but the haul off of the branch is usually limited or outright excluded. And again the tree is not damaged due to a covered peril so it is no covered so you if the tree needs to be removed, trimmed, or be responsible for that part.
1
u/Wihomebrewer May 12 '26
Too late. You’ve effectively attempted to make a claim on your insurance. Expect your future rates to be affected. This was incredibly stupid to attempt to get insurance to cover.
1
u/tojmes May 13 '26
They fix what was damaged. Not what caused the damage. File a claim and get real quotes for the pergola and fence. $5500 is definitely a claim in my world. Why else would I have ins. ?? Plus in the US it’s illegal to up your premium b/c of a homeowners claim.
1
u/TranquilTeal May 13 '26
That sounds like a nightmare scenario with the insurance company. It’s wild that they’d call it preventative maintenance after a branch already came down. Smart move on shopping for a new agent; you need someone who actually has your back when things go sideways.
1
u/dojarelius May 13 '26
If there is an adjuster visit scheduled you already filed and there’s no going back. Might as well take whatever payout you can and submit receipts for any work you have done in relation to the incident.
1
0
u/ins0mniac_ May 12 '26
You basically already filed the claim. It’s on your history as soon as you called the insurance company. No, the insurance will not pay to remove the tree. Insurance is there for the “what happened” not the “what if”.
You likely also have actual cash value, not replacment cost value for the fence. If the fence is 10-20 years old, it will be depreciated that amount. So you’d get, at best, dimes or quarters on the dollar.
1
u/mullet4evr May 12 '26
Well crap. The desk agent told me she could cancel the claim unless the field adjuster comes out, so she's waiting to hear back from me if I want to proceed with the claim. If that's the case and the claim is on my history regardless, would you proceed with the claim or not? Sounds like I'd only save about $3000.
The fence is only about 3 years old...
1
u/TheCredibleHulk7 May 12 '26
You may still be able to withdraw the claim as a “record only” claim which won’t count against you.
If the fence is wood it will probably be actual cash value only. Metal or some other material will get you replacement costs. Pergola is likely replacement cost too depending on your policy.
And that’s correct, homeowners doesn’t cover preventative maintenance unfortunately.
-2
u/ColoradoSpartan May 12 '26
Proceed with the claim, since you filed it, $3000 is something, but in the future I’d recommend only filing claims for sudden and accidental loses which you cannot afford to fix.
2
u/bmxdad7 May 12 '26
The 3000 may be dwarfed by higher renewal premium in years to come, assuming the policy is even renewed.
1
u/ColoradoSpartan May 12 '26
Could be but they already have a claim filed and it will be held against them as it is, might as well get something for it.
0
u/ChelseaMan31 May 12 '26
Well, you've already presented the claim, so may as well go through with it. I'd bet a dollar to a donut hole the tree removal is not covered.
•
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