If a tree falls on your car, it can be difficult to determine whether or not it constitutes an act of God or if someone else should be at fault. Many times, if the weather was involved in causing the damage, such as a tree falling because of high winds or a thunderstorm, a comprehensive insurance policy will cover the cost of the damages. That said, there are some corner cases where who is responsible for the damage isn’t so cut and dry. Read on to learn more about what factors affect who takes responsibility for a fallen tree that damages your vehicle.
While a comprehensive insurance policy will often cover damages to your car sustained by something like a fallen tree, there are some situations in which it’s not your insurance policy that covers the costs. For example, if it was your tree in your yard that damages your car, your insurance policy will cover the damage. However, if it’s a neighbor’s tree, some of the blame may rest on them. This becomes increasingly true if there were reasons to remove a tree such as dry rot or age that weren’t heeded. For example, it might be homeowner negligence if a property was appraised and it was suggested that a tree be cut down because of its perilous nature. Especially in urgent situations, if a homeowner was negligent the blame will likely be on them if a storm or their negligence is the cause of damages to your car from a tree.
Depending on the extent of the damage, you may want to fix the problem yourself immediately and then wait for the insurance payout to come in. For example, if the car isn’t totaled, you may only need to fix damage to the hood or windshield to be able to get back out on the road. Auto glass from an Orlando windshield repair business like Orange Blossom Auto Glass is generally fairly inexpensive, so there’s no reason not to dip into your emergency fund if you know that an insurance settlement is on the way. That being said, more severe damage might require you to get a rental vehicle while you work out the insurance claim and get your car replaced.
If you’re worried about a neighbor’s tree and think that it might be diseased, it might be a good idea to talk to them before anything goes wrong. Sometimes you might notice something that they’ve missed, and so it’s a neighborly thing to do if you have any concerns about the tree or your vehicle or home’s safety. It’s also not a bad idea to call up your insurance provider to learn whether or not you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle currently. In some situations, even if your neighbor’s tree falls on your car you may be required to file a claim on your vehicle, so knowing the ins and outs of your policy can save you some added stress. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, you can add it to your policy to give you peace of mind, too.
As you can see, there are several different routes to take when your car has been damaged by a fallen tree. It’s important to work your way through each scenario and rule out anything that doesn’t apply to your situation so that you can best address the root cause of the problem. While it can be frustrating to need to go to court to get the settlement you deserve, there are certain situations in which the payout warrants such a tactic. The most important thing to remember is to keep a cool head, even though you’re dealing with a surprising and expensive accident.
Leave a Reply