If your yard gets damaged, you might be able to file a claim with your homeowners insurance company. You’ll only be protected under certain circumstances, and your amount of coverage will be limited.
When Homeowners Insurance Will and Won’t Cover a Claim Related to Landscaping
If your yard gets damaged by a covered peril, your insurance policy can help with cleanup. Insurance generally covers landscaping claims if a loss is caused by fire, theft, or vandalism. Your homeowners insurance policy might also cover a claim if someone who doesn’t live in your house has a car accident that damages your yard.
Your insurance company can refuse to cover damage to your yard that’s caused by weather, insects, or other pests. Erosion and damage to retaining walls may or may not be covered, depending on the insurer.
If a tree on your property falls, your insurance company will decide whether to cover a claim based on the cause of damage. Homeowners insurance usually covers storm-related damage and denies a claim if a tree falls because the homeowner doesn’t properly maintain it and ignores signs of damage or decay.
A standard homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover damage caused by flooding or earthquakes. If you want to be protected against those perils, you’ll have to purchase additional coverage.
How Much Your Homeowners Insurance Will Pay for Landscaping Damage
Damage to landscaping falls under a homeowners insurance policy’s dwelling coverage. Insurers will typically pay up to 5% of the total dwelling coverage limit for landscaping-related claims.
Homeowners insurance policies often have sub-limits for landscaping damage. For instance, your policy might allot you a specific dollar amount to remove each damaged tree or bush. Your policy might or might not pay to replace damaged landscaping.
Understand Your Coverage
Some homeowners insurance policies include a specific list of perils that are covered, while others will cover a loss caused by any peril that’s not excluded. Review your policy to find out exactly what is and isn’t covered.
It can also be a good idea to contact local contractors and find out approximately how much it would cost to remove and replace a damaged tree or shrub. You might realize that you would have to pay a lot out of pocket if your yard got damaged and decide to increase your coverage.
Be Careful When Comparing Quotes
Insurance policies vary widely in terms of what they do and don’t cover and the amount of coverage they provide. If you’re comparing quotes from different homeowners insurance companies and trying to find the lowest rates, don’t assume that each insurer is offering you a policy with the same terms.
If you have any questions about coverage, exclusions, or sub-limits, contact the insurer directly and ask. Once you have gathered that information, you’ll be able to compare different policies and premiums and figure out which best fits your needs and budget.
