Wall Street Journal: Trees "Pose Hazards" to Your Home
It's no secret that trees can greatly benefit their communities, whether it's environmentally, socially or financially – and mature, majestic trees are no exception. However, if the number of accidents caused by falling trees every year is any indicator, continuing to protect trees past their prime – at the expense of younger, healthier trees – is risky business.
The latest tally by the Wall Street Journal finds that there are more than 6,700 videos of trees falling on houses on the popular video sharing site, YouTube. In fact, falling trees most recently made the news in a tragic way: On June 26 of this year, Kelly Murray and her 7-year-old daughter, Sloane, were killed when a huge tree branch fell on their minivan during a wind and rainstorm.
As you can see, trees are no laughing matter, but how do you protect yourself against their dangers and ensure that your home is covered for such damages? Should a 100-year-old oak in your backyard crush your house during a thunderstorm, your standard homeowner's insurance policy will generally cover the damage to your roof and the removal of the tree; extra insurance will often cover the cost of its replacement. But there are other potential damages to consider. Let's take a look at some questions posed by the potential of a rogue tree ruining your day.
What Happens if Your Tree Damages Your Neighbor's Property?
If your creaking oak falls on your neighbor's house, and he decides to sue, your insurer will pay the legal costs – as long as you have not been found negligent. If the tree in question had dead branches and clearly posed a risk, you will be found negligent. And even if your insurance company does pay the judgment – which some do – you may find your rates increasing, or your insurer won't cover you at all any more.
Minimizing the Dangers Posed By Old Trees
While there's certainly no need to chop down every tree past the age of 10 in your backyard, you can continue to enjoy the shade and beauty your mature trees offer by removing dead branches, carefully pruning it and watering it in moderation, among other practices. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, total removal should be attempted only if the risks outweigh the benefits.
Protect your home from trees and other hazards. Request a quote today!
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124723900564523889.html
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/housing/covered/covered.htm
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_haz/ht_haz.htm
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20031006_treefall.htm