A yard full of trees can make a home look great. They provide shade that can keep your electric bills down. They are good for the environment. Plus, they can possibly add value to your home when you sell.
But trees can also be a liability to homeowners, especially during tropical storm season. They can easily damage your roof, car and other structures on your property or your neighbor's property. And even without a storm, their root system can grow to damage your home's foundation.
With tree damage, your homeowners' will usually kick in to deal with damage on your property. Wind and lightning are generally covered perils in a standard policy, or they're included in a homeowners' all-risk policy.
But what happens if your tree falls onto your neighbor's property and causes damage? Usually your neighbor would have to submit a claim to their home insurer to pay for repairs. But at the same time, you could be held liable for their damages if the fallen tree was due to your negligence; that is, if the tree was dying or in bad condition and you didn't do anything to address it. In this case, your insurance may have to cover repair costs, plus your insurance may have to cover costs if your neighbor filed a lawsuit against you.
There are two things you need to consider to avoid a situation like this. First, make sure your trees are in good shape. If you have any doubts, call in a professional tree surgeon to evaluate it and take any necessary action. Secondly, get with your J. P. Perry Insurance agent to review your homeowners' policy to address the conditions of your property.
As a side note, just so you will know, the types of trees that are the heartiest and weather storms the best include American Beech, Bald Cypress, Flowering Dogwood, Live Oak and Southern Magnolias. Those trees that are the weakest in storms include Bradford Pear, Mimosa, Silver Maple, Tulip Poplar and Weeping Willows.