Are You Covered If a Neighbor’s Tree Falls on Your House?

On a windy August night in Oklahoma City, Bryan woke to a deep cracking sound followed by an earth-shaking thud. He ran outside and saw the massive oak from his neighbor’s yard sprawled across his roof.

​Shingles were shattered, gutters bent, and branches pierced the living room ceiling. His first thought wasn’t “How do I clean this up?” — it was “Who’s going to pay for this?”

When a neighbor’s tree causes damage to your home, the answer isn’t always straightforward. In Oklahoma, the responsibility for damage depends on why the tree fell and the condition it was in before the incident.

need a quote for home insurance?

Who’s Responsible When a Neighbor’s Tree Falls?

If the tree was healthy and fell due to an unexpected storm, your own homeowners insurance will likely be the one to cover the repair costs. But if the tree was dead, diseased, or clearly neglected, you may have a case for your neighbor’s liability coverage to pay instead.

How Home Insurance Responds

Most standard home insurance policies in Oklahoma City cover damage caused by falling objects, including trees, as long as the cause was sudden and accidental. This typically means:

• Your dwelling coverage pays for roof, wall, and structural repairs.
  
• Personal property coverage applies if furniture, electronics, or other belongings were damaged.
  
• Additional living expenses kick in if you can’t stay in your home during repairs.
  

Tree removal is also sometimes covered, but only up to certain limits. If the tree falls in your yard without damaging a covered structure, many policies won’t pay for removal.

Preventing Tree Damage Disputes

• Have regular conversations with your neighbors about tree health.
• Keep photos of potential problem trees near your property line.
• Document any requests to have dangerous limbs removed.

​Living in a state where windstorms and severe weather are part of life makes these precautions worth it.

Trust the Professionals

​Oklahoma Insurance Professionals, an independent agency right here in Oklahoma City, helps homeowners understand how their policy responds in tricky situations like this. We’ll walk you through your coverage and recommend any adjustments so you’re not left footing the bill after a neighbor’s tree takes a tumble.

get the best okc home insurance!

---

Scott Godwin
Founder

Oklahoma Insurance Professionals LLC serves Oklahoma City and the surrounding Oklahoma communities by protecting the people we work with just like we protect our own family members. Home insurance, auto insurance, business insurance, and more. We can help you find the coverage you need. ​​​​