People from the Dakotas to the Carolinas are dealing with the aftermath of a massive storm that riped through the country this week, causing tornadoes, rain and 50 mile-an-hour winds, leaving behind plenty of destruction.  But what is covered in terms of cleanup?

If a tree hits a home or other insured structure, such as a detached garage, standard homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for the damage the tree does to the structure and the contents within it. This includes trees fallen by a windstorm, hail, weight of ice, snow or sleet.

It doesn't matter whether or not a tree was actually growing on your property; if it lands on your home, you should file a claim with your insurance company. After a storm, trees, shrubs and branches can become projectiles capable of traveling significant distances and can cause more damage to property.

If a tree hits an insured structure, such as your house or garage, there is also coverage for the cost of removing the tree, generally up to about $500 to $1,000, depending on the insurer and the type of policy purchased. If the fallen tree did not hit an insured structure, there is generally no coverage for debris removal. However, some insurance companies may pay for the cost of removing the tree if it is blocking a driveway or a ramp designed to assist the handicapped.

Cars damaged or destroyed by falling trees are covered under the optional comprehensive portion of a standard auto insurance policy.

Standard home insurance policies also provide coverage for damage to trees and shrubs due to fire, lightning, explosion, theft, aircraft, vehicles not owned by the resident, vandalism and malicious mischief. Coverage for these disasters is generally limited to up to 5 percent of the amount of insurance on the structure of the house. Generally, most insurers will limit the coverage to about $500 for any one tree, shrub or plant. Trees and plants grown for business purposes require a separate business insurance policy.

To find out if you are covered for damage, contact us.  For more information or a podcast on this subject, visit the Insurance Information Institute.