Tree Fell on Your House in Texas? Who Pays and What to Do First

Central Texas storms can bring down limbs and whole trees with little warning. The February 2023 ice storm split trees all over the Austin area and showed how fast it happens. If a tree is on your house right now, here's what to do, in order.

This is general guidance, not insurance or legal advice. Your policy is what counts.

First hour: safety

1. Get everyone out of the affected rooms. A tree on a roof can shift, and ceilings can come down.
2. Look for power lines. If a line is touching the tree or down in the yard, stay far away and call your electric provider and 911. Don't let anyone, including a tree crew, touch it until the utility has made it safe. See trees near power lines.
3. Shut off gas if you smell it, and leave the house.
4. Don't climb on the roof or try to cut the tree yourself. A tree resting on a structure is under tension, and cutting the wrong piece can drop it further.

Next: document everything

Before anything is moved, take photos and video of:

• the tree on the house from several angles,
• the damage inside (ceilings, walls, water),
• the stump or root ball,
• any fence, car or other property damage.

Insurers want to see the damage before cleanup. If you need emergency work to prevent more damage, like getting the tree off the roof and tarping it, photograph first, then keep every receipt.

Who pays? How it usually works

Most standard homeowners policies cover damage from a tree falling on a covered structure (your house, garage or fence) when it falls because of a covered event, like wind, ice or lightning.

In general:

• Your house, your tree, storm damage: your homeowners policy usually covers the structural damage, and often a limited amount for removing the tree from the structure.
• The neighbor's tree falls on your house: you generally file with your own insurance. Your insurer may pursue the neighbor only if the tree was obviously dead or neglected and they'd been warned.
• A tree falls in the yard and hits nothing: removal is usually not covered. That's your cost.
• A dead tree you knew about falls: coverage can be denied for neglect. That's the best reason to deal with dead trees before a storm. See signs a tree is dying.

Call your insurer or agent as soon as you're safe. Ask what's covered for tree removal and debris, and whether there's a limit.

Getting the tree off the house

Removing a tree from a roof is one of the most technical jobs in tree work. It has to be cut and lowered in controlled pieces so it doesn't cause more damage. Expect emergency work to cost more than a normal removal, often 1.5 to 2 times, because of the urgency and risk.

Ask for an itemized invoice that separates:

• removing the tree from the structure,
• removing the rest of the tree,
• haul-off,
• stump grinding (often not covered).

That breakdown makes the insurance claim much easier.

After the tree is off

• Tarp the roof right away to stop water damage.
• Get a roofer and, if needed, a structural inspection. Our licensed roofing partners can help.
• Look at the other trees. Storms that drop one tree often crack limbs on others. A quick look can prevent a second claim.

Frequently asked questions

Does homeowners insurance cover a tree falling on my house in Texas? Usually, if it falls because of a covered event like wind or ice. Policies typically cover the structural damage and some removal cost. Check your policy for limits and deductibles.

My neighbor's tree fell on my house. Who pays? In most cases you file with your own insurance. Your insurer may go after the neighbor if the tree was clearly dead or neglected and they knew about it.

Does insurance pay to remove a tree that fell in my yard but didn't hit anything? Usually not. Removal is generally covered only when the tree damages a covered structure.

How fast can a tree be removed from a roof? It depends on storm demand and power line safety. A tree that's actively causing damage is a priority, but power lines must be cleared by the utility first.

Need a tree removed after a storm?

If it's safe and the lines are clear, send photos using the form below and mark it urgent. We'll get back to you as fast as we can with a plan and a written price. More on emergency tree removal.