Landscaping is the most important factor in your home’s curb appeal.
It provides a first impression of your home for people stopping by or even those just passing your house. A beautiful landscape can be a showstopper if well maintained.
Even if you have excellent knowledge, like being able to identify trees in your yard and take the utmost care of your landscaping, there are still things that may happen that are out of your control.
Instances such as inclement weather, fires, and many other disasters can take a toll on even the most cared for outdoor space.
Many people are aware of the typical types of coverage you can receive from a standard homeowner’s policy: the structure of your home, your personal belongings, liability protection, and coverage for additional living expenses.
You may be wondering where and even if your landscaping falls into this policy.
When something happens to your landscaping, such as a fallen tree, will your homeowner’s insurance cover your losses and damages?
Let’s find out.
Understanding Homeowners Insurance Coverage
The first thing to know is what exactly will be covered by your policy. Typically, a standard homeowner’s insurance policy will cover structures on your property, even those not attached to your home.
Structures such as fences, decks, outbuildings, sheds, and detached garages will be covered under a standard policy.
If any of these structures get damaged, your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost to repair or replace them.
If a structure such as a deck or a fence is a significant portion of your landscaping look, you can rest easy knowing you will be covered by insurance for the damages they may incur.
When it comes to actual landscaping and gardens on your property, things may get a little trickier.
Not all your plants may be covered and replaced under a standard policy.
You will likely run into a set limit from your insurance company on how much they are willing to pay to cover the cost of damaged plants, bushes, or trees.
Most companies will likely make you pay your deductible before you can receive any coverage for the damaged landscaping.
Insurance Limits for Landscaping
Beyond the small amount of coverage you will receive for your damaged landscaping, there are also many limits your insurance provider will set for what caused the damage.
When it comes to the damage causes your policy will cover, these are the most common:
- Fire
- Lightning
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Explosions
Another instance your insurance will provide you coverage for is damage caused by another person’s vehicle.
This means if someone crashes their car into your yard and ruins your landscaping or hits a tree, you will be covered for the damages.
All these instances must happen on grounds that are considered your personal residence.
If you have a garden on something such as a neighborhood plot and it suffers damages, your insurance company will not provide any sort of coverage.
Unfortunately, most policies do not provide coverage for the most common instances such as wind damage, hail, heavy snowfall, insects, pests, or diseases.
A home insurance comparison guide can help you figure out exactly what is covered.
Another limit to take note of is flooding or an earthquake. If one of these natural disasters occurs, your policy will not provide you coverage for the damage it causes.
You will need a separate policy for this instance, such as flood insurance. Standard homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover floods or earthquakes.
Structural Damage From Falling Trees
An instance you may have questions about is a tree falling on a structure on your property.
As stated above, your standard homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the structures that sit on your property.
This can get confusing when it comes to a situation such as a tree falling on a structure and causing damage.
Since your policy won’t cover the tree, are you still covered for your building?
The good news is, you are covered. Even if your policy doesn’t cover the tree itself, it will cover your structure for repairs or replacement.
As long as the tree was damaged by something out of your control, such as extreme winds, heavy snow, insects, or pests, you will be covered.
There is a limit to this coverage, however. You must be sure the fall did not have anything to do with your own negligence or lack of care for the tree.
If a tree falls on a structure sitting on your property or even your home itself, and it is discovered that the fall was caused by rotting due to your neglect, your insurance will deny your claim.
This will leave you paying for the repairs you may need out of your pocket.
The same can’t be said for the negligence of your neighbors.
If you live in a neighborhood with close proximity to others’ landscaping, you can receive coverage if the damage is caused by the tree of a neighbor, even if the fall happened from negligence on their part.
Additional Insurance Coverage
If you feel your landscaping holds significant value and want to make sure it’s protected, there are options available. Talking to your insurance provider will help you determine what kind of coverage options you have.
You may be able to get coverage for your trees, plants, and bushes.
It could even extend to the tools you use to maintain your landscaping, depending on the option you choose.
This will ensure that no matter what happens, insurance will protect your home’s curb appeal.
Insurance Coverage to Meet Your Needs
Landscaping can be an essential aspect of a home. Even though it’s not inside, it still plays a significant role in your home’s appearance and beauty.
If you love and care for your landscaping or garden, you’ll want to keep it protected, especially because out-of-pocket replacement costs or tree removals can be extremely expensive.
Although it may be a common thought to believe that your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover landscaping, this isn’t typically the case.
Insurance coverage can vary from provider to provider, so it’s important to talk to your agent, find out precisely what your policy will cover, and possibly get the extra coverage you might want for your landscaping.
Alexandra Arcand writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, USInsuranceAgents.com.
She thinks it’s important for everyone to know what kind of coverage they have to protect their home’s curb appeal.