Tree fell on your house? What to do and who pays
A tree on the house is scary, but a few steps in the right order keep everyone safe and make the insurance side easier. Absolute Tree Service answers the phone 24/7 for storm damage around Muskegon, Norton Shores, the lakeshore and Grand Rapids.
What to do first
- Get everyone out of the damaged part of the house and away from the tree
- Stay far away from any downed wires and assume they're live. Call 911 and your electric utility
- If it's safe, take photos and video of the tree, the damage and the whole scene before anything is moved
- Call your homeowners insurance company to start a claim
- Call us at (231) 201-9820 to get the tree off the house and make the area safe
Who pays when a tree falls on a house in Michigan?
In most cases your own homeowners insurance covers damage to your house, even when the tree came from a neighbor's yard, and many policies also pay to remove a tree that hit a covered structure, usually up to a set limit. A tree that falls in the yard without hitting anything is often not covered. If a neighbor's tree was clearly dead or dangerous and they knew about it, they may be responsible, and your insurance company will sort that out. Every policy is different, so talk to your agent about your situation.
Will insurance pay to remove a dead tree before it falls?
Usually not. Insurers generally treat removing a dead or dying tree as maintenance. If you have a dead oak or ash near the house, taking it down on your schedule is almost always safer and easier than an emergency removal after it comes down.
Can a storm-damaged tree be saved?
Sometimes. A tree that lost a few limbs can often be cleaned up with careful trimming. A split trunk, a snapped top, lifted roots or a big share of the crown gone usually means the tree won't recover safely. Josh will look at what's left standing and tell you honestly whether it's worth keeping.
How we handle storm damage
- 24/7 emergency calls at (231) 201-9820
- Fallen trees and limbs removed from homes, fences and driveways
- Crane-assisted removal when a tree is hung up on the house or too damaged to climb
- A written quote before cleanup work begins, which you can share with your insurance company
- Debris cut up and hauled away, and the area cleaned up once it's safe
What customers say
“Had a huge half dead tree taken down after a branch fell on my roof, Josh made the whole process fast, easy, and stress free.” Kylee B., Google review
“Went above and beyond to take a tree down that already partially fell on my house. Responded to my calls quickly.” Katie L., Google review