Will Insurance Pay for Tree Removal in Utah County?
If you’ve recently experienced storm damage, a fallen tree, or the threat of a hazardous tree on your property, you might wonder if your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of tree removal in Utah County. While insurance coverage can vary depending on your policy and the circumstances, there are several key factors that determine whether tree removal is covered.
Factors That Affect Tree Removal Insurance Coverage:
Cause of the Damage: If a tree falls due to a covered peril, like a storm, lightning, or vandalism, your insurance policy might pay for removal. For example, if a storm causes a tree to fall on your home in Provo or Orem, your insurance is likely to cover the cost of removal and any damage repairs.
Damage to Property: Insurance typically covers tree removal if the tree causes damage to your home, car, fence, or other structures on your property. If a tree falls and damages your roof in Spanish Fork or your car in Lehi, it’s more likely that your insurance will pay for both the removal of the tree and the repair of the damaged property.
Tree Health: If a tree falls on its own without an external cause (e.g., due to old age or disease) and does not cause damage to structures or property, insurance is usually less likely to cover the cost of removal. In such cases, homeowners are typically responsible for removing the tree at their own expense.
Removal of Fallen Trees: In many cases, homeowner’s insurance will cover the removal of a fallen tree that causes property damage, but not the cost of removing a tree that simply falls on the ground without causing any damage. For instance, if a tree falls in your yard in Alpine or Springville, but doesn’t damage anything, you may have to pay for its removal out of pocket.
What Insurance Doesn’t Cover:
Routine Tree Maintenance: Tree removal for reasons unrelated to storm damage or other covered perils (e.g., routine maintenance or removal of dead trees) is typically not covered by homeowner’s insurance. Regular tree care in areas like American Fork and Payson to prevent potential damage should be handled privately, without relying on insurance.
Costs of Stump Grinding: Most insurance policies will not cover the cost of stump grinding or removal after the tree has been taken down. If you need stump grinding services in Utah County, you'll usually need to cover this expense yourself.
How to File a Claim for Tree Removal:
If your tree has fallen due to a covered cause, follow these steps to file a claim:
Assess the damage: Take photos of the fallen tree and any damage caused to your property.
Contact your insurance company: Notify your provider as soon as possible and provide documentation of the damage.
Request an estimate: Have a professional tree removal company, such as Utah County Tree Care, assess the tree and provide an estimate for removal.
Submit the claim: Provide the estimate and any required documentation to your insurance company for approval.
When to Contact a Tree Removal Service:
Even if your insurance doesn’t cover the cost, contacting a local tree care company like Utah County Tree Care is a good idea. We offer competitive pricing for tree removal, and our licensed team can quickly assess the situation and help you make the right decision, whether or not your insurance will cover the cost.
In most cases, homeowner’s insurance in Utah County will cover tree removal if the tree falls due to a covered peril and causes damage to your property. However, insurance policies often won’t cover the removal of healthy trees or the cost of stump grinding. Be sure to check your policy and contact your insurance provider to understand your coverage better. If you need tree removal services in Provo, Spanish Fork, or Payson, Utah County Tree Care is here to help with expert, affordable services. Contact us today for a free estimate!
