The Hidden Truth About Tree Insurance Claims: What Long Island Homeowners Don’t Know Could Cost Thousands

When a massive oak crashes through your roof during a winter storm, your first call is likely to your insurance company. But what happens next might surprise you – and not in a good way. Most homeowners don’t realize that insurance companies won’t cover the removal of dangerous or diseased trees, and policies require homeowners to maintain the trees on their property, including removing dead or decaying trees.

As Long Island faces increasingly severe weather patterns and rising insurance premiums in 2025, understanding the fine print of tree coverage has never been more critical for property owners.

The Reality of Tree Insurance Coverage

Tree damage is only covered if the tree falls because of something covered by your policy, but if it fell and hit something because of rot, old age or a maintenance issue, you likely won’t be able to file a claim for those repairs. This distinction can mean the difference between a covered claim and thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses.

For example, if a tree falls and causes $5,000 in damage to your home and you only have 5 percent debris removal coverage, your policy may pay up to $250 to remove the tree. That’s right – just $250 for what could easily be a $2,000+ removal job.

What’s Actually Covered (And What Isn’t)

Understanding coverage specifics can save Long Island homeowners significant money. Fire or lightning, vandalism, and vehicle damage are typically covered under a homeowners’ policy, with trees, shrubs, plants, or lawns covered for direct loss caused by fire or lightning, explosion, riot or civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles, vandalism or malicious mischief, or theft.

However, there are critical limitations. If a fallen tree damages your lawn, most insurance carriers won’t pay for landscapers to restore the lawn to its original condition, and most home insurance policies won’t cover tree removal alone.

The Preventive Maintenance Trap

Here’s where many Long Island homeowners get caught off guard: Insurance won’t cover removing a leaning tree that looks like it may fall because it’s considered an out-of-pocket expense since it hasn’t caused damage to your home or other structures, and for your policy to cover the cost of removing a tree, it must have fallen and caused damage to a structure.

This creates a dangerous catch-22. You’re responsible for maintaining your trees, but insurance won’t help pay for preventive removal. Yet if that same tree falls due to neglect, your claim could be denied entirely.

Smart Strategies for Long Island Property Owners

Given our region’s exposure to nor’easters, hurricanes, and severe thunderstorms, proactive tree management is essential. In many cases, the cost of removal may be less expensive than your home insurance deductible – for instance, if your deductible is $1,500 and an arborist quotes a medium-sized tree’s removal at $600 to $1,000, you could save $500 to $900 by paying out of pocket.

Regular professional assessments are crucial. You can either schedule an inspection with an arborist or inspect the trees yourself, though an arborist will cost you but can identify the less obvious signs of trouble and recommend next steps.

The Long Island Advantage

Working with local tree service professionals who understand our unique coastal conditions gives Long Island homeowners a significant advantage. Companies familiar with our salt air, sandy soil, and seasonal weather patterns can provide targeted advice that generic assessments might miss.

When you need reliable, professional tree care that protects both your property and your insurance standing, experienced local providers like tree service bohemia understand the specific challenges facing Long Island properties and can help you maintain your trees proactively rather than reactively.

Taking Action Before It’s Too Late

Regularly trimming trees and removing dead or leaning ones helps prevent costly damage and improves your chances of a successful claim, as prevention is still the safest and most cost-effective approach.

Don’t wait until the next storm to discover the gaps in your coverage. Schedule a professional tree assessment now, document the condition of your trees with photos, and maintain detailed records of any preventive work performed. Your future self – and your wallet – will thank you when the next big storm hits Long Island.

Remember: in the world of tree insurance claims, knowledge truly is power. Understanding what’s covered, what isn’t, and how to protect yourself can save thousands of dollars and prevent devastating property damage. The investment in professional tree care today is always less expensive than the cost of emergency repairs tomorrow.