Homeowner Insurance Wind Tree Damage

Many homeowners confused on tree damage rules

December 22, 2011
By: Carrie Van Brunt-Wiley

While most consumers are aware that home insurance policies cover damage to their property resulting from fire or wind, a recent poll finds many are unclear regarding tree damage.

A recent survey conducted by PEMCO Insurance asked consumers what would happen if a tree planted in a neighbor's yard fell and caused damage to their home.

The company says 82 percent of respondents incorrectly answered that their neighbor's insurance company would pay for the claim. In reality, the company says that the incident would likely fall under a homeowner's own insurance coverage unless there was some kind of negligence on the part of their neighbor.

"With so few homeowners knowing the right answer, and wind storms so common in the Northwest, we have a great opportunity here to educate consumers," said PEMCO spokesperson Jon Osterberg.

Many Los Angeles-area homeowners have likely been asking similar questions over the past several weeks, after a powerful wind storm swept through the area earlier this month. The Pasadena Sun reports public sector damages from the storm are more than $30 million.

Tips For The Best Home Owner\'s Insurance Today!

If you have a small boat, it may be covered under your home owner’s insurance policy. It really depends on the boat’s size, the engine’s horsepower, and the policy you hold. Give your insurance company a call and they’ll be able to tell you if your boat is fully covered or if you should get a separate policy for it.

If you’re about to turn 55, this is a great time to shop for a new homeowner’s policy, or at least ask your current insurance carrier for a policy review. Many companies offer discounts for senior citizens, starting with folks who are only 55. If your company doesn’t offer this discount, take the time to shop around.

Lower your annual home insurance premiums by raising your deductible. The higher the deductible, the less you pay. Even though you will be stuck with footing the bill for smaller problems you may encounter, it is worth it in the long run. Insurance companies tend to raise a homeowner’s premium after any claim they make, no matter how small.

You should always take pictures of all your valuable items. Although this may seem like a waste of time, in reality, by snapping a few pictures you create a visual record in case of theft or fire that you will be able to use in filing your claim. An hour or two, once a year, could save you a huge headache in the end.

When considering insurance for your home, keep in mind that having your mortgage paid off can actually effect your premium amount. Insurance companies will commonly reward you with a lower premium if your mortgage is paid off, because it is generally thought that a home will be better taken care of if it is fully owned.

Take care of any landscaping problems such as diseased or damaged trees to prevent potentially expensive damages. Your home owner’s insurance policy may or may not cover damages to your property or others resulting from a fallen tree, so removing landscape features that are dangerous or unstable can protect you from out-of-pocket expenses.

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