Your homeowners insurance policy covers a wide range of events and types of losses, but it doesn’t cover everything. People often have misconceptions about what their policy covers and are surprised when a claim is denied.
Accidental property damage caused by a family member is a frequent source of confusion. If a member of your family accidentally causes damage to your yard, your homeowners insurance company is unlikely to cover the loss.
What a Typical Homeowners Insurance Policy Does and Doesn’t Cover
An insurer may cover a long list of perils that could cause property damage, or it may cover any peril that’s not specifically excluded. A homeowners insurance policy covers damage to a house, personal belongings, and other structures, such as a fence or shed located on the same property. A typical policy will only pay for damage to landscaping (i.e., trees, bushes, and plants) if it’s caused by something on a short list of covered perils.
If a loss is covered, the insurance company might only cover the cost of removing damaged landscaping, not costs to replace trees and bushes with new ones or costs to repair the yard. The insurer may place a limit on the total amount it will cover for a landscaping-related claim, and it may also limit the amount of coverage available for each individual tree or shrub.
Coverage for Accidental Property Damage Caused by a Resident
When a homeowners insurance company evaluates a claim related to property damage, it will consider both the cause of the loss and whose property is damaged. Those are critical factors that will determine whether or not the loss is covered.
Homeowners insurance will cover damage to your yard, as long as it’s caused by a covered peril. For example, if a tree is in good condition and falls in a storm, that will typically be covered.
Your insurance policy will also cover a claim if you or a member of your family causes damage to someone else’s property. It can even apply if your pet causes property damage.
If a member of your family accidentally causes damage to your own yard, however, your homeowners insurance policy is unlikely to cover it. For instance, if you or relative makes a mistake while attempting to prune a tree and the tree falls and damages your lawn or garden, that sort of loss won’t be covered.
If you or a family member accidentally damages the lawn, a fence, or another structure while driving, don’t expect your auto insurance company to pay for it. Your car insurance policy’s property damage liability coverage applies to damage that a covered driver causes to someone else’s vehicle or property, but not damage to your own yard.
