After a Storm: What Homeowners Should Do When a Tree Damages Your Property

A tree comes down in the middle of the night. You hear the crack, then a thud. In the morning you find it on your roof, your car, or across your driveway. It's disorienting, and the decisions you make in the next few hours can affect your insurance claim, your costs, and whether anyone gets hurt. Here's exactly what to do.

Step 1: Don't Go Outside Until It's Safe

Before you step out to assess the damage, check for these hazards first:

• Downed or sagging power lines: assume any line on or near a fallen tree is live and deadly. Call 911 and Eversource immediately and stay well clear.
• Unstable hanging limbs: look up before walking under any tree. Broken branches that haven't fallen yet (called widow-makers) are extremely dangerous.
• Structural damage: if the tree hit your home, don't enter until a contractor or emergency responder confirms the structure is safe.
• Gas leaks: if you smell gas, leave immediately and call 911 and Eversource from outside.

Step 2: Document Everything Before Cleanup Starts

This step is critical for your insurance claim. Before any cleanup or cutting happens, photograph and video the full scene from multiple angles:

• The fallen tree or limb and its full extent
• All visible damage to your home, fence, car, or other structures
• Close-ups of impact points on the roof, siding, windows, or foundation
• The stump or origin point of the tree (was it diseased, already dead, or a neighbor's tree?)
• Any interior damage from the roof or walls

Do not allow any contractor to begin cleanup before you have documented the damage. Once the tree is removed, your physical evidence for the claim is gone.

Step 3: Call Your Homeowner's Insurance Carrier

Call your insurance company as soon as you've documented the scene. Don't wait until Monday morning or until cleanup is done. Most carriers have 24/7 claim lines. When you call:

• Report the claim and get a claim number
• Ask what documentation they need from you
• Ask whether you're authorized to arrange emergency tarping or stabilization to prevent further damage (most policies allow this and will reimburse you)
• Ask about your deductible and whether tree removal is covered
• Confirm whether a field adjuster will come out or if the claim is handled remotely

In Connecticut, most standard homeowner's insurance policies cover tree removal if the tree damaged a covered structure: your home, an attached garage, a fence. If the tree fell in your yard without hitting anything, removal costs are typically not covered. Your adjuster will walk you through what's reimbursable.

Step 4: Arrange Emergency Stabilization

If the tree has opened your roof to the elements, your insurer will expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage (this is called mitigating the loss). This typically means:

• Having a contractor install emergency tarps over any roof opening
• Boarding up broken windows or doors
• Placing buckets or protective coverings over interior items

Keep all receipts for emergency materials and labor. These costs are generally reimbursable under your policy's "additional living expenses" or "emergency repair" provisions.

Step 5: Hire a Licensed Tree Service, Not a Storm Chaser

After a major storm, unlicensed out-of-state contractors (sometimes called storm chasers) show up in Fairfield County neighborhoods going door to door. They often offer low prices and quick starts, but can disappear mid-job, do shoddy work, or create additional liability issues for your insurance claim.

• Only hire contractors with a Connecticut Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license
• Verify they carry liability insurance AND workers' compensation
• Get a written estimate before any work begins
• Never pay the full amount upfront; a 25 to 30% deposit is standard
• Ask if they work directly with insurance adjusters (many licensed CT crews do)

Step 6: Understand the Insurance Claim Process

One common surprise: if your neighbor's tree falls on your property, you generally file with your own insurance, not theirs. The exception is if the tree was dead or visibly diseased and your neighbor had been notified in writing. Consult with your adjuster and possibly an attorney if that's the situation.

Step 7: Keep a Paper Trail

• Save all photos and videos in a cloud backup
• Keep every receipt for emergency repairs, hotel stays, or temporary housing
• Get written estimates from at least two tree service companies
• Document all communications with your insurance company (date, time, rep name, what was said)
• If a contractor says "insurance will cover everything, don't worry," be cautious and verify with your adjuster directly

After the Cleanup: What Comes Next

Once the tree is removed and any structural repairs are underway, assess the remaining trees on your property. A storm that brings down one tree often leaves others weakened, split, or newly leaning. A licensed arborist can evaluate which trees are structurally compromised and need attention before the next storm season.

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