How to Make a Claim for Tree Damage to a House After a Storm

You can make a claim for tree damage to a house after a storm by identifying which insurance policy covers that type of damage, collecting evidence to prove the storm caused your losses, and filing a timely claim with the right insurance company.

If challenges arise during this process—for example, if the insurer denies your claim or tries to underpay you—a Corpus Christi insurance claims lawyer from our firm can help you deal with them.

Which Insurance Policy Covers Tree Damage After a Storm?

It may not matter to you if your home was damaged by a hurricane, a tornado, or a lightning strike—your home has been compromised regardless. To an insurance company, however, the difference is crucial: many policies specify which types of events they cover and which they do not.

What policies you file under—and what policies you have—may also depend on where you live. If you are on the Gulf Coast, you will likely have to purchase windstorm insurance separately, while other Texas residents can file with their regular homeowners’ insurance if a tree falls onto their house because of heavy wind.

To avoid unnecessary delays when making a claim for tree damage to a house after a storm, it is important to correctly identify which insurance policy to file with. Our law firm can review all of your insurance policies to determine which one applies to your situation.

How Do You Prove a Tree Damage Claim?

Once you identify which insurance policy you should file with, you still have to prove that the tree fell because of the storm and that the fallen tree caused the property damage you are now seeking compensation for. Insurance companies are often reluctant to pay storm victims, even if their claim is legitimate, so it is crucial to submit clear and convincing evidence along with an accurate damage report.

Our storm insurance lawyers can help you compile all of the evidence you need, including:

• Before-and-after photos of your home and, if possible, of the tree
• Weather reports that show your area recently experienced the type of storm that the insurance policy covers
• Repair estimates from contractors who have examined the damage
• Bills and receipts for temporary repairs or clean-up work

It is a good idea to store important information, such as insurance policies and photos of your home, in a safe place that is less likely to be damaged in a storm. That way, you do not have to worry about lost evidence or scramble to locate and replace materials the insurance company wants to see.

What Should You Do When the Insurance Adjuster Shows Up to Inspect the Storm Damage?

An insurance adjuster is someone who evaluates claims. A big part of their job is to personally examine the damage done by storm and assess its financial value.

When the adjuster shows up at your house:

• Be polite and helpful.
• Answer their questions to the best of your ability without exaggerating the damage or trying to hide anything.
• Show them around your home, pointing out all of the damage done directly and indirectly by the fallen tree.
• Provide any materials they ask for (e.g., “before” photos) if their requests are not unreasonable.

If you are nervous about meeting with the insurance adjuster, you can always contact our law firm so we can help you prepare. We can tell you what to expect and even speak to the adjuster on your behalf.

Should You Hire an Insurance Attorney to Handle Your Claim?

Hiring a law firm can make the insurance claims process much less stressful, especially if the insurance company decides to:

• Deny your claim outright
• Demand more evidence than is necessary to evaluate your claim
• Offer less money than you need by undervaluing the damage or saying they will pay for some of the damage but not all of it
• Argue that you did not perform adequate maintenance or prepare for the storm, so the tree damage is your fault

Our lawyers understand how insurance companies work and are prepared to fight back if they try to deny or undervalue your claim. We protect our clients by:

• Reviewing claims for completeness and accuracy before sending them in
• Handling all communications with the insurance adjuster and the insurer’s other representatives
• Negotiating for a fair payout if they try to minimize your compensation

By hiring an insurance claims attorney to manage your case, you give yourself more time to process your loss, deal with any injuries or other losses caused by the storm, and figure out next steps—all without giving up your right to a just settlement from your insurance company. Our legal team can fight for money to pay for:

• Repair or replacement of roof, walls, windows, and/or decks
• Repair or replacement of any personal property, including furniture and appliances, that suffered damage because of the fallen tree
• Removal of the tree trunk or branches from your property
• The cost of staying elsewhere until repairs are complete
• Replacement services, such as eating at restaurants if you cannot use your kitchen or boarding your pets if they cannot stay at your temporary accommodations

Having a tree fall on your house is a very traumatic event, even if your family was lucky enough to escape injury. Let our storm damage lawyers assist you in recovering the money you need to move forward.

Our Insurance Lawyers Can Help if Your House Suffered Tree Damage

At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, we believe in providing attentive, personalized legal care. That is why, when you call our office to learn more about how to make a claim for tree damage to a house after a storm, you will speak directly to one of our lawyers, not a secretary or intake specialist. Call now to begin.