Should I consult my Home Owners Insurance or do this my self?

Question

As a result of a severe storm, I have two tree limbs, measuring approximately 50' long with lots of foilage (leaves) and about 15' wide. I am very naive when about this and don't know I should have my husband cut the limbs and remove it or just pay the $250 deductible and have the insurance company take care of it?

Answer 1

Whether you file a claim will depend mostly on if your house was damaged when the limbs fell. If the trees damaged your house, the insurer will pay for the damage and the tree removal. If the there is no damage to your house, then coverage is restricted by policy limits or exclusions. Falling trees are not covered on all HO policies; if they are, there is usually a policy limit (typically $500) to cover tree removal. SO, determine if your house was damaged. If it was not, get a chainsaw, and get the husband to work. If the limbs are still hung up somewhere and require professional removal, call a tree service.

BTW, I would suggest you bump your policy deductible to $500 or higher. Don't file small claims, save your policy for paying BIG claims.

Answer 2

You have two tree limbs... what, exactly?

Sounds like they have probably come down in your yard, or maybe on your home. So, I'll assume that.

Either way, unless it's a large claim, it's probably not worthwhile to turn in any claim.

Here are two important points you should keep in mind:

First, most homeowners policies have very limited coverage for removal of trees. (Contracts vary by state, so you can ask your agent about the specifics of your policy.)

Second, you may want to actually consider raising your $250 deductible, because insurance companies (all of them, as far as I'm aware) charge claims points if you turn in a claim. And these claims points follow you, no matter where you go, for the next three years. They can increase your insurance premiums 10-40%, depending on the type of claims you turn in. So, for a small claim, you may end up paying out more premium over the next three years than you ever got back out of the claim. For a large claim, there's no question it's worth it, but for smaller claims, I think you can see how it may very well not be.

Call your agent. But make it clear you want their advice and do NOT allow them to turn in the claim until you make up your mind whether or not it's worthwhile to do so.

Answer 3

If the tree's didn't do any damage to your property or anyone elses I think you should remove the limbs yourself, or hire a kid on summer break to do it for you. I don't think it will cost much more if even the $250 you'll pay for your deductible, and some companies penalize when you file a claim.

Answer 4

OK, if the tree limbs didn't FALL on anything (like the house or a fence) and cause damage, they aren't covered ANYWAY.

I would NOT put in a claim on this, as even if they deny it (for not being covered) it will STILL count against you. And once you have two claims, most states will allow a company to cancel you, and good luck finding ANYONE else to write you with a claims problem (yes, two claims in three years is a claims problem account!).

Save your claims for the BIG problems - $4,000 and up. Raise your deductible to $1,000, and if you file ONE claim every three years, the savings on your premium vs. your deductible will break even. If you file a claim LESS frequently than once every three years, you'll be ahead of the game.

Answer 5

Make SURE there is no other damage to your home as the 250 deduc could be far less to pay than future repairs for missing something.

But on the other hand, my parents lawn mower caught fire a few yrs ago and when they claimed it on their home owners ins. the company just dropped them completely!! Insurance companys can be evil if they want >:D

Answer 6

That depends on how old your husband is, what his health is like and whether he is handy with a chain saw.

I would opt for my husband and I to do the work and save the $250 deductible. Some companies will use any excuse to raise your insurance rates.

Answer 7

If you hire it done it will probably be just about the same paying someone else to cut them up and haul them away as what it would the price of the deductible. Your insurance company will not be paying much of anything. If your husband is able to cut them up and get rid of them it would save you money to have him do it instead. :):):)

Answer 8

I would contact my ins. agent & describe the damage to him/her. That's what they're there for. Doing trees could be costy & just mgt. be worth having someone else do it. Also, make sure this is NOT going to make your ins. coverage go up because you don't want to be paying higher premiums because of it either. Your agent should be able to help you w/both questions. Let this be your guide in what to do. If you have a fireplace, this w/also save on you having to buy wood. Whoever cuts it should make sure it's the proper size of your fireplace if you have one, It should be "seasoned" by then for you to be able to use this year.

Answer 9

I THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR HUSBAND DO THE JOB. UNLESS YOU
HAVE 250.00 TO HAND OVER TO SOMEONE ELSE. ALSO IS THIS TREE
IN YOUR PROPERTY OR IN SOMEONE ELSES? IF IT IS COMING FROM
SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY THEN THE OWNER OF THAT PROPERTY
IS RESPONSABLE FOR THE DAMAGES.... WELL HOPEFULLY YOU CAN
TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM..... GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES!!!!!!!!!!