Trees and your property: Insurance considerations

2 minutes

Trees can enhance the value of a property or be integral to the design of a property. However, they can cause problems and if they fall, cause extensive damage and loss of life.  Here we look at the damage trees can cause to a property, the duty of care you have if there are trees on your land, and what insurers will consider when it comes to home insurance.

What an insurer will consider

Each insurer will assess the potential for tree damage differently. Things they will look at include:

  • The postal area – is tree damage a recurring issue in the area?
  • The age of the building and the soil type
  • The proximity of a tree to the building

Subsidence

An insurers' primary concern when it comes to trees is the potential for subsidence damage.

Trees take up water in the summer which can cause soil to shrink. A hot, dry summer creates perfect conditions for subsidence to occur as the soil underneath a property’s foundations, particularly clay soil, dries and shrinks causing cracking, often diagonal . The solution can sometimes be, sadly, the removal of a tree combined with underpinning or brick repair.  Sometimes just the removal, or strong pruning, of the tree can be enough to allow any cracks to close up.

Damage to property

Tree roots can damage garden walls, driveways and patios as the roots can seek out and widen existing cracks in search of moisture. Tree roots can also be implicated in drain damage as if there’s already a leak a tree root will grow towards the water source and exacerbate the existing problem.

Storm damage

As well as the obvious damage that fallen branches or trees can cause, gutters and drains can get blocked very quickly by falling fruit, leaves and twigs. This causes an overflow of water which dampens the walls. To avoid having to make a claim for water ingress, it’s important to always keep these areas clear of debris. This is particularly important in the autumn and winter months.

Tree maintenance

An insurer may require a tree inspection, usually by an arboriculturist and following this require that you follow  their recommendations.

Common law states that you have a responsibility known as “duty of care” to take reasonable precautions to avoid any harm or injury to other people or property, which you can reasonably foresee. Therefore, if you’re concerned that a tree is damaged, diseased, or poses danger, consult a tree surgeon or arboriculturist who will give you advice on how to maintain your trees and keep them safe.

https://www.trees.org.uk/Find-a-professional

Tree damage and your neighbours

If a tree damages your home, your insurance will pay out. If it damages your neighbour’s home, then it is usually your neighbour’s insurance that will pay out. However, if you have neglected your duty of care then you could be held liable for any damage caused to a neighbour property.

Your home insurance policy

Every policy is different, so it is important that you check your policy cover. Cover available when it comes to trees may include:

  • Repair costs following damage to your property caused by a tree falling or branch
  • Costs to replace trees after an insurance event
  • Legal liability for repair costs following damage to your neighbour’s property
  • Legal advice and costs if you get into a dispute with your neighbour over a tree

Additional costs which aren’t always considered, and which are generally not covered under a home insurance policy, include:

  • Costs for the removal of a fallen tree
  • Costs to clear blocked drains and guttering
  • Damage to gates, fences, hedges (and in some cases outdoor items) caused by a fallen tree or branch

How Howden can help

Providing advice is at the heart of everything we do, so we always offer clear, sensible, and independent advice about what our clients should insure and how.

To speak to us about your home insurance call 020 8256 4901 or email privateclients@howdeninsurance.co.uk


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