What to do when a tree hits your house
- A tree or large limb resting on or through the roof or wall
- A hole in the roof with active water intrusion
- Downed limbs on power lines near the house, treat as live
- A leaning or split tree that could still come down
- Structural cracking, sagging, or a shifted roofline under the impact
- A tree down in the yard blocking access but not on a structure
Never climb a storm-damaged roof to check. A vetted local pro inspects it safely and for free, Call (888) 555-0122 or take the quiz.
Costs & what insurance covers
Typical insured project value
$1,000–$25,000
What the covered repair costs / what insurance funds, not your out-of-pocket.
Your real cost on a covered claim
$500–$2,500
Usually just your deductible (flat), or 1%–5% of dwelling coverage for a separate wind/hail deductible.
Typical timeline: Emergency removal and tarping same day; roof/structural repair about 1–4 weeks depending on scope.
Before anything else
If the tree is on or near power lines, treat the lines as live and keep everyone away, call the utility and 911 if there's any danger. Don't try to cut or move a large tree off the structure yourself; it can shift and cause more damage or injury. Get emergency professionals out.
Who to call, and in what order
The question everyone types is "a tree fell on my house, who do I call?" The answer is a pro who can do both jobs in sequence: emergency removal of the tree off the structure, then tarping and roof/structural repair before the next rain. Doing removal without immediate tarping just leaves you open to the sky; doing repair without proper removal risks more damage. One coordinated response handles both.
Then it's a documentation job. The tree strike, the opening it created, and the interior water damage are all part of one covered loss, photograph the tree in place before it's removed if it's safe to do so, because that ties the damage to the event.
What insurance covers for tree damage
When a tree hits a covered structure, both the resulting repair AND removal of the tree off the structure are generally covered (removal is often capped, commonly around $500–$1,000 per policy). A tree that falls without hitting a structure is frequently removal-capped or not covered.
The tree-removal coverage quirk
Here's the rule that trips people up: when a tree hits a COVERED STRUCTURE, both the repair AND the removal of the tree off the structure are generally covered (removal is often capped, commonly around $500–$1,000). But a tree that falls in your yard WITHOUT hitting a structure is frequently removal-capped or not covered at all. Whose tree it was usually doesn't matter, it's your policy that responds when it hits your house. Typical insured project value runs $1,000–$25,000; your out-of-pocket is your deductible.
Because a tree strike almost always comes with a roof opening and interior water, it usually pulls in emergency tarping and water-damage restoration as part of the same claim. Getting all three documented together is what makes the claim whole.
How we vet the pro you talk to
Call and you're routed to a local, licensed pro with 24/7 emergency dispatch who handles the full sequence: safe removal of the tree/limb off the structure, immediate tarping to stop water, then the roof, framing, and interior repair, documented as one covered loss. One vetted pro, never resold.
What emergency response and repair include
The typical scope of a covered tree-damage project:
- Emergency tree/limb removal off the structure
- Temporary tarping/board-up to stop water intrusion
- Roof deck, framing, and interior repair
- Documentation tying the damage to the storm event
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Tree damage & removal FAQ
A tree fell on my house, who do I call first?
Call for emergency response that handles both removal and repair in sequence, get the tree safely off the structure, then tarp to stop water, then repair. If the tree is on power lines, treat them as live, keep clear, and call the utility and 911 first. For an active opening with water coming in, call now for 24/7 dispatch.
Does insurance cover a tree falling on my house?
Generally yes, when a tree hits a covered structure, both the resulting repair and the removal of the tree off the structure are typically covered (removal is often capped, commonly around $500–$1,000). It usually doesn't matter whose tree it was. Your out-of-pocket is your deductible.
What if the tree fell in my yard but didn't hit anything?
That's the weaker case for coverage. A tree that falls without striking a covered structure is frequently removal-capped or not covered, policies are designed to respond to damage to your home, not general yard cleanup. If it blocks a driveway or a covered structure's access, some coverage may apply; check your policy.
Should I move the tree off my roof myself?
No, a large tree or limb on a roof is under tension and can shift suddenly, causing more structural damage or serious injury, and there may be hidden lines. Let professionals with the right equipment do the removal. If it's safe, photograph the tree in place first; it documents the loss for your claim.
How fast can someone remove a tree from my house?
For a tree through the roof with water coming in, call now, emergency removal and tarping are typically same-day, 24/7. Getting the structure covered quickly is what limits the interior water damage and keeps the claim from ballooning.
Have an active leak right now? Call (888) 555-0122 for 24/7 emergency response.
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