Tree removal from home and home insurance

[Anida]

Last Tuesday a tree fall into
My home due to storm, insurance company said they will send a tree removal company but they were not able too send anyone until Friday as everyone is busy, Wednesday was rain.
On Friday they asked us to find a tree removal company but with reasonable prices.
My question is: does insurance reimburse us if we remove the tree ourself? Is yes how can we claim it?

note: all companies we called are booked and can not come in near by days and tomorrow/ Wednesday till Sunday as per weather forecast will be rain and storms

 

[fed up]

You should be able to use your claim number, pay any deductible, and be all set. The tree company may give you 2 prices, 1 for removing the parts of the tree that impact the safety of the house and 1 for complete removal. Your policy may only cover the first quote. Most policies do not cover complete removal of the fallen tree but there are plenty of firewood companies which will take the wood for little cost

 

[fed up]

One other thing: Get an estimate and present it to your insurance carrier to see what they will cover. Don't sign anything from a tree company until you have an offer from your Claims department. If the tree company charges more than your carrier will cover you are stuck with the balance

 

[adjusterjack]

The standard HO-3 Homeowners Policy provides little or no coverage for tree removal depending on the circumstances. I'm quoting from my sample so read your policy to see if it says different. Read it carefully because there are a couple of "gotchas" in there.

_______________________________
b. Fallen Trees
(1) If circumstances of a loss meet those specified in (2) below, we will pay your reasonable expense, up to $1000, for the removal from the "residence premises" of:
(a) Your tree(s) felled by the peril of Windstorm Or Hail or Weight Of Ice, Snow Or Sleet; or
(b) A neighbor's tree(s) felled by a Peril Insured Against under Coverage C.
The $1000 limit is the most we will pay in any one loss regardless of the number of fallen trees. No more than $500 of this limit will be paid for the removal of any one tree.
This coverage is additional insurance.
(2) Tree removal coverage as described in b.(1) above applies only if:
(a) The tree damages a structure covered under this policy;
(b) Windstorm or Hail or Weight of Ice, Snow or Sleet causes damage to a structure covered under this policy and the Pennsylvania Governor declares the area in which the "residence premises" is located to be a disaster area as a result of such weather conditions; or
(c) The tree does not damage a structure covered under the policy, but:
(i) Blocks a driveway on the "residence premises" which prevents a "motor vehicle", that is registered for use on public roads or property, from entering or leaving the "residence premises"; or
(ii) Blocks a ramp or other fixture designed to assist a handicapped person to enter or leave the dwelling building
_____________________________

There is another section that covers damage to trees caused by several perils but not for wind. Read it, too.
_____________________________
Trees, Shrubs And Other Plants
We cover trees, shrubs, plants or lawns, on the "residence premises", for loss caused by the following Perils Insured Against:
a. Fire or Lightning;
b. Explosion;
c. Riot or Civil Commotion;
d. Aircraft;
e. Vehicles not owned or operated by a resident of the "residence premises";
f. Vandalism or Malicious Mischief; or
g. Theft.
We will pay up to 5% of the limit of liability that applies to the dwelling for all trees, shrubs, plants or lawns. No more than $500 of this limit will be paid for any one tree, shrub or plant. We do not cover property grown for "business" purposes.
This coverage is additional insurance.
_______________________________

Anida, you may wish to prepare yourself for paying for the removal or removing it yourself.

 

[fed up]

maybe some clarification: If the tree is leaning on the house or has damaged a portion of the house, your policy will pay generally to cut the tree away from the house, cut it away from the driveway. If the tree has simply fallen in the yard there is nothing to protect so the claim could be denied

 

[Anida]

These are some of photos - thank you so much for the valuable response
I am not clear on what my deductible’s are?

 

[fed up]

Your carrier will pay to repair the house and remove the tree from the house. Most policies will not pay to remove the tree from the yard

 

[adjusterjack]

I am not clear on what my deductible’s are?

You'll find your deductibles on the declaration page of your policy. That's the front page or cover page that shows the property information and the coverages.