My neighbor's dead tree fell on my property this morning. The damage to the wire fence is probably in the $100 - $300 range, plus the ~ 25' tree needs to be removed from the back yard. I have never had to file a home insurance claim yet, does anyone know if such a small claim would affect our future insurance rates? Any insight is most appreciated.

My neighbor's dead tree fell on my property this morning. The damage to the wire fence is probably in the $100 - $300 range, plus the ~ 25' tree needs to be removed from the back yard. I have never had to file a home insurance claim yet, does anyone know if such a small claim would affect our future insurance rates? Any insight is most appreciated.

I believe the key word is your ( neighbors Dead tree )  If its a dead tree he is responsible for it. 

Why not just ring your neighbor's door bell and nicely ask them to take care of the issue.

I believe that he is probably not responsible for it if it fell on your property, but a responsible neighbor would at least help with the cost of fixing the fence.    To the best of my knowledge, as far as insurance goes, it is not the amount of the claim so much as it is the number of claims.  One claim should not affect your insurance, although you might read your policy to find out.  What would is if you had another claim, say within 3 years.  And, if something happens and that claim is substantially more, then you will definitely want to claim it.  Lastly, you could very well have a deductible, so, it might not be in your best interest to make that claim if it is less than your deductible.  Lastly, even if you don't  formally make the claim, but rather just inquire with your insurance company, that might be enough to be considered a "claim" and would work against you even if the company did not make a payout but if you made another claim with in the next year or so.

 

If taking care of the tree and fence would be a hardship for you, you may want to make the claim.  If not, then you might just want to handle it. 

There are several threads on here where guys have had to deal with this in the past.

 

Summary:

1) it's an act of god and is probably not covered by EITHER yours or his insurance

2) it's likely less than your deductible

3) it depends on whether your neighbor is a mensch or a dick

^^ What he said.

 

I would not make a claim on something that small even if I had zero deductible.

 

I would go have a friendly conversation with the neighbor and make a plan to clean it up that includes them.   If you don't have a saw, you should probably get one, but at least ask around, someone you know can help.  I would feel vulnerable without at least 2 chain saws(currently have 4), but that's just me.

 

My conversation would go like this..

 

"Hey Bob, what a wind storm Eh?   Your tree really did a number on my fence huh?   How about this weekend, I'll get a saw and you and I can clean this thing up, I'll even spring for pizza/burgers/whatever, and in an hour or two and we'll have this fixed right up."

 

If he looks at you like you just shat in his Wheaties, then change the tone.  "Well, if you can't help me do some labor, then a few hundred towards repairing the fence will go a long way".

 

If at that point, he looks like you just killed his favorite puppy then you know what kind of a person he is and walk away and never speak to him again.

Unless you have had the tree certified by the right person as unsafe and then notified your neighbor then the tree is your responsibility. I don't exactly know the requirements. Might have to be a tree service or a certified arborist. It sucks but that's what it is.

 

I suggest just asking the neighbor if he could pay to fix your fence. If he says no there isn't much you can do.

 

Edit to add that I agree with malsua. Be neighborly and see what happens.

My neighbor's dead tree fell on my property this morning. The damage to the wire fence is probably in the $100 - $300 range, plus the ~ 25' tree needs to be removed from the back yard. I have never had to file a home insurance claim yet, does anyone know if such a small claim would affect our future insurance rates? Any insight is most appreciated.

Your deductible is probably higher than $300. Regardless, just ask your neighbor to make it right.

There are several threads on here where guys have had to deal with this in the past.

 

Summary:

1) it's an act of god and is probably not covered by EITHER yours or his insurance

2) it's likely less than your deductible

3) it depends on whether your neighbor is a mensch or a dick

Comments like this one drive me up a wall.  Seriously...it makes the hair on my neck stand up.

 

Acts of God are 100% covered by insurance.

 

Lightning is an act of God, no?  Is your house covered it it gets hit by lightning?

 

Windstorms are acts of God, no?  Is your house covered if the wind blows the roof shingles off?

 

 I agree however on the two other points. : ) 

My neighbor's dead tree fell on my property this morning. The damage to the wire fence is probably in the $100 - $300 range, plus the ~ 25' tree needs to be removed from the back yard. I have never had to file a home insurance claim yet, does anyone know if such a small claim would affect our future insurance rates? Any insight is most appreciated.

The damage to the fence is most likely under the deductible.

 

A claim like that shouldn't have a direct impact on your rates because house insurance isn't rated like car insurance where a ticket or accident can surcharge your policy.  What could happen is multiple claims could affect your rates, but not this one singular claim.

It would have to go under you insurance since it fell on your prop.  You could sue him, but unless the tree was deemed dead and unsafe ahead of time he is prob not liable. 

 

Chances are its under your deductible, but you should get an estimate then call the insurance co just to ask.  It USUALLY doesnt go on your record if you are just calling to ask about coverage.  If they say they need to open a claim to have an adjuster look at it, then yes it WILL go on your record.

 

You should 1st go to your neighbor to see if they will foot the bill or at least split it with you.

 

(im an insurance agent)

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm not going to file a claim, it looks like it's not worth the time and hassle. The neighbors are very nice and friendly, but they would not be able to physically help with the cleanup and repairs, so we'll have to do that ourselves. I can use the exercise anyway.

My neighbor's dead tree fell on my property this morning. The damage to the wire fence is probably in the $100 - $300 range, plus the ~ 25' tree needs to be removed from the back yard. I have never had to file a home insurance claim yet, does anyone know if such a small claim would affect our future insurance rates? Any insight is most appreciated.

 

Had a similar situation a few years ago, but with a large limb from a live tree. It took out the back rail of my deck and a patio table. $1600 damage. No rate increase.

Comments like this one drive me up a wall.  Seriously...it makes the hair on my neck stand up.

 

Acts of God are 100% covered by insurance.

 

A flood is an "act of God".  Is it covered by your homeowners?

 

http://www.insweb.com/home-insurance/home-insurance-exclusions.html

http://www.insure.com/home-insurance/exclusions.html

 

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/topic/66191-another-neighbor-tree-smashes-my-fence-cmon-now/

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/topic/55151-neighbors-trees-smashed-my-fence-what-to-do/

A flood is an "act of God".  Is it covered by your homeowners?

 

http://www.insweb.com/home-insurance/home-insurance-exclusions.html

http://www.insure.com/home-insurance/exclusions.html

 

bad argument

 

flood is NEVER covered by homeoweners.  Has nothing to do with act of god or not.  Act of god just means the owner of the tree isnt held liable for it falling.  Since it wasnt his fault it fell.  If the owner was warned to take it down b/c its dead and is a danger and fails to do so, then at that point he can now be liable since its no longer an act of god, it was dead and someone didnt do what they needed to do to midigate possible future dmg.

I'm an underwriter and my answer to you is that it 

 

bad argument

 

flood is NEVER covered by homeoweners.  Has nothing to do with act of god or not.  Act of god just means the owner of the tree isnt held liable for it falling.  Since it wasnt his fault it fell.  If the owner was warned to take it down b/c its dead and is a danger and fails to do so, then at that point he can now be liable since its no longer an act of god, it was dead and someone didnt do what they needed to do to midigate possible future dmg.

 

Flood is not automatically covered in a homeowners policy because homeowners should seek primary coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program.  Depending on the carrier, flood can be endorsed onto a policy dependent on the CAT evaluation of the location in question.  

yes! someone else on my side (lol)

Just a suggestion. Call a tree company or 2 for an estimate. A downed tree can be taken out fairly quickly and not too expensive.

Probably between 1-2 hundred. Cutting up a tree and disposing of all the limbs branches etc is a lot of work. Especially if you dont have the right tools.

It would have to go under you insurance since it fell on your prop.  You could sue him, but unless the tree was deemed dead and unsafe ahead of time he is prob not liable. 

 

Chances are its under your deductible, but you should get an estimate then call the insurance co just to ask.  It USUALLY doesnt go on your record if you are just calling to ask about coverage.  If they say they need to open a claim to have an adjuster look at it, then yes it WILL go on your record.

 

You should 1st go to your neighbor to see if they will foot the bill or at least split it with you.

 

(im an insurance agent)

 

It would go on his policy because he's filing a claim through his carrier.  If the carrier felt the neighbor was negligent, the carrier could make payment to the insured dependent on policy language then subrogate against the neighbor's carrier.  If the tree was healthy, his carrier will still likely pay for damage and cleanup, dependent on policy language.  

 

In most instances, a report only claim will not trigger a rate increase for the renewal term.  However, this is always dependent on the carrier and their Underwriting Guidelines.  

 

If you can leave your insurance carrier out of this situation, I would do it.  It's not worth dealing with an adjuster if the loss is nominal.  

A flood is an "act of God".  Is it covered by your homeowners?

 

http://www.insweb.com/home-insurance/home-insurance-exclusions.html

http://www.insure.com/home-insurance/exclusions.html

 

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/topic/66191-another-neighbor-tree-smashes-my-fence-cmon-now/

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/topic/55151-neighbors-trees-smashed-my-fence-what-to-do/

As lugnutz said...bad argument.

 

The point remains that some acts of God are covered under house insurance and other acts of God, aren't.

 

Your assertion and advice that a fallen tree wouldn't be covered because it was an act of God was wrong.

 

You know.  We all know it.  Look at everyone reading the thread.  See them nodding their heads?  

 

It's OK to admit you were wrong.

 

: )

yes! someone else on my side (lol)

He's not.

He's not.

 

thats true.. im trying to write.. pretty much anything and everything, his job is the opposite lol

If you can leave your insurance carrier out of this situation, I would do it.  It's not worth dealing with an adjuster if the loss is nominal.  

THIS..   full stop

thats true.. im trying to write.. pretty much anything and everything, his job is the opposite lol

Underwriting = Sales Prevention Department. lol

Underwriting = Sales Prevention Department. lol

 

lol damn right sir.

 

 

It would go on his policy because he's filing a claim through his carrier.  If the carrier felt the neighbor was negligent, the carrier could make payment to the insured dependent on policy language then subrogate against the neighbor's carrier.  If the tree was healthy, his carrier will still likely pay for damage and cleanup, dependent on policy language.  

 

In most instances, a report only claim will not trigger a rate increase for the renewal term.  However, this is always dependent on the carrier and their Underwriting Guidelines.  

 

If you can leave your insurance carrier out of this situation, I would do it.  It's not worth dealing with an adjuster if the loss is nominal.  

 

This.  Not only that, but a report only could actually still hurt you.  Maybe not initially, but if you end up having another claim somehwere down the road the co may look at you as higher risk.  Def keep ins out of it if possible.  Like I said, get an estimate, present the estimate to your neighbor to see if they will foot the bill or at least split it with you.  Then its up to you to hire someone to do the work, or just do it yourself and use the money to pay for your own labor.

Underwriting = Sales Prevention Department. lol

 

Not really on the commercial side, of which I'm an underwriter.  We try to partner with our agents in order to make the sales since the premiums are $50,000 plus and (edit) not high volume personal lines policies. 

thats true.. im trying to write.. pretty much anything and everything, his job is the opposite lol

 

I write too, with the hopes of long term, profitable business.  We are not so different since you do have to consider your E&O at the end of the day.

Not really on the commercial side, of which I'm an underwriter.  We try to partner with our agents in order to make the sales since the premiums are $50,000 plus and (edit) not high volume personal lines policies. 

You say that with a certain air of "can you spare some gray poupon" in your voice. :squideye:

 

: ) 

You say that with a certain air of "can you spare some gray poupon" in your voice. :squideye:

 

: ) 

 

lol 

I like larger commercial business.  It's fun.  

 

I cut my teeth rating policies manually, and with my nose stuck deep in the CLM.

 

Writing actual insurance, property in particular, is a lost art.

 

Ask a newish underwriter today about agreed value.  

 

"Huh?"

 

: )