Roxborough is one of the greenest corners of Philadelphia. Wissahickon Valley Park wraps along one side of the neighborhood, the streets off Ridge Avenue climb steep hills, and mature oaks, tulip poplars and maples tower over twins, rowhomes and stone singles. Those trees are a big part of why people love living in 19128. They are also behind some of the most common fall and winter claims we see.
Here is a made-up but realistic scenario that shows how a fallen tree can touch two different policies, and what Roxborough homeowners can learn from it.
The setup
Dana owns a stone twin on a sloped street near the edge of the park. A large oak stands in the back yard, close to the property line. Dana’s car is parked on the street out front. A neighbor’s tulip poplar leans over the shared side yard.
One night in late October, a strong storm moves through with heavy rain and high winds. By morning, two things have happened. A big limb from Dana’s own oak has crashed onto the back of the house, punching a hole in the roof over the kitchen. And the neighbor’s poplar has come down across the street, landing on Dana’s car.
Step 1: Safety and the first calls
Before anything else, Dana checks for downed power lines and stays clear of them, then calls PECO to report the lines and 911 if there is any immediate danger. Once everyone is safe, Dana takes photos and video of the roof, the kitchen ceiling, the yard and the car from several angles, before anything is moved.
Step 2: Protecting the house from more damage
Rain is still coming in. Most homeowners policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Dana has a contractor put a tarp over the hole and keeps receipts. Those emergency costs are often part of the claim. Dana avoids major permanent repairs until the insurer has had a chance to inspect.
Step 3: The house claim
Dana calls the agent and opens a homeowners claim. Windstorm is typically a covered peril under a standard homeowners policy, so the damage to the roof and kitchen, and possibly to belongings inside, would usually be considered under Dana’s dwelling and personal property coverage, subject to the deductible and the policy’s terms.
Removing the limb from the roof is often covered when the tree damaged a covered structure. Removal of a tree that fell in the yard without hitting anything is frequently limited or not covered at all. Policies vary on how much they pay for debris removal, so this is worth checking before a storm, not after.
Step 4: The car claim
Here is the part that surprises many people. The car is not covered by Dana’s homeowners policy, and it is usually not covered by the neighbor’s policy either, even though it was the neighbor’s tree. Damage to a car from a falling tree is generally handled under the comprehensive coverage on Dana’s auto policy, minus the comprehensive deductible. If Dana only carries liability on that car, there may be no coverage for the damage.
Step 5: Is the neighbor responsible?
In most cases, a healthy tree that falls in a storm is treated as an accident, and each owner’s own insurance handles their own damage. Things can change if the tree was clearly dead, diseased or dangerous and the owner knew it and did nothing. In that situation, an insurer may try to recover its payment from the negligent owner. If you have concerns about a neighbor’s tree, a polite written note and photos create a record.
What this scenario teaches Roxborough homeowners
- Know your deductibles. Check both your homeowners deductible and your auto comprehensive deductible.
- Read the debris and tree removal section. It is often a small, fixed amount.
- Look at your own trees. Hillside soil, rain-soaked ground and old trees are a risky mix. Having an arborist look at large trees near the house can prevent a claim, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation handles street trees in the public right-of-way.
- Keep comprehensive coverage in mind if you park under trees on the street.
- Document conditions now. Photos of your roof and yard make the claim process easier.
The Insurance Information Institute has general consumer information on homeowners and auto coverage if you want to read more.
Questions about your own policy?
Peak Insurance is based right here in Roxborough and works with 60+ carriers. We can walk through how your home and auto policies would handle a fallen tree and what your options are. Visit our Roxborough insurance page or our home insurance page, call (855) 449-8552, or send us a message.
