Question
I live in Missouri (St. Louis). During a recent severe storm, a large chunk of a 40+ foot tree in my yard fell onto my neighbors car. It caused scratches to her paint, but no structural damage. I called my homeowners insurance company to see if I was liable, and they said no, to have her file a claim with her auto insurance company. Is that right? Am I liable for anything here? It really was an act of God.
Thanks for any advice.
Answer
I live in Missouri (St. Louis). During a recent severe storm, a large chunk of a 40+ foot tree in my yard fell onto my neighbors car. It caused scratches to her paint, but no structural damage. I called my homeowners insurance company to see if I was liable, and they said no, to have her file a claim with her auto insurance company. Is that right? Am I liable for anything here? It really was an act of God.
Thanks for any advice.
This forum has an excellent "search" button up on that toolbar on the top of your screen. A quick check revealed 137 other questions involving your issue. Read up on a few and come back if you still have questions.
Answer
This forum has an excellent "search" button up on that toolbar on the top of your screen. A quick check revealed 137 other questions involving your issue. Read up on a few and come back if you still have questions.
Thanks for the advice to this "noob". I shall tell my neighbor to file a claim with her insurer, and hope for the best.
Answer
Thanks for the advice to this "noob". I shall tell my neighbor to file a claim with her insurer, and hope for the best.
Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner.
(Of course, this assumes there were no prior problems to the tree that you were aware of).
Answer
"(Of course, this assumes there were no prior problems to the tree that you were aware of)."
That is a factor that should be clearly known is such cases. If the Tree was dead or in the process of, then it is clearly a hazard. In which case you could be held liable. It is upon homeowners to keep their properties safe. This is especially true if it had been brought to your attention before hand that the tree was sick. With ice being the cause, that even takes a healthy tree down. Shollow root base, saturated ground, etc. It sounds like your incident is an "Act of God" as the insurance companies like to call it. The good news for your neighbor is that other than paying the deductible, "Acts of God" can not influence rates. So they can claim it and it will not raise their payments.
Answer
"Acts of God" can not influence rates. So they can claim it and it will not raise their payments.
Wrong.
Wrong.
Wrong 6 different ways till sunday.
Any claim can raise rates.