When a tree comes down on a Perth property, the damage bill can be frightening. A large gum through the roof, a limb across the carport, or a trunk flattening the fence can add up to thousands of dollars. Naturally, one of the first questions homeowners ask is whether their home insurance will cover the damage and the cost of removing the tree. The honest answer is that it depends, and understanding the rules before disaster strikes can save you a great deal of stress and money.
This guide explains, in plain terms, what Australian home insurance policies generally cover when it comes to trees, where the common exclusions lie, and how to give yourself the best chance of a successful claim. It is general information rather than financial or insurance advice, so always read your own product disclosure statement and check with your insurer for your specific situation.
The golden rule: damage first, then removal
Most Australian home insurance policies treat a falling tree or branch as an insured event, usually classified under “impact”. If a tree falls and damages an insured structure, the policy will typically cover the repairs to that structure and, importantly, the reasonable cost of removing the part of the tree that caused the damage. So if a tree crashes through your roof, the roof repair and the removal of the tree from the house are usually both on the table.
The critical catch is that coverage generally hinges on damage having actually occurred. If a tree falls in your yard during a storm but lands harmlessly on the lawn without hitting anything insured, most policies will not pay to remove it. There was an event, but no insured damage, so the clean-up is your cost. This surprises a lot of people, so it is worth knowing in advance.
What is typically covered
While every policy differs, cover after a tree falls and damages your property commonly extends to the following:
- Structural repairs: damage to the home itself, including the roof, walls and sometimes the foundations.
- Detached structures: sheds, garages and carports, subject to your policy limits.
- Fencing: often covered, sometimes up to a set length, provided it was structurally sound.
- Debris removal: many policies include a separate allowance to clear the fallen tree and branches that caused the damage.
- Temporary accommodation: if your home becomes unliveable, some policies contribute to alternative accommodation.
What is usually excluded
The exclusions are where most claims come unstuck, so pay close attention here. Common exclusions across Australian policies include:
- Preventative removal: if you want a dead or risky tree taken down before it falls, that cost is yours. Insurance responds to damage that has happened, not damage you are trying to avoid.
- Stumps and roots left in the ground: policies typically will not pay to grind out or dig up the stump that remains after a tree falls.
- Damage from a standing tree’s roots: root damage to paths, paving or foundations from a tree that is still standing is generally not covered, though resulting water damage from a burst pipe sometimes is.
- Cars: if a tree lands on your vehicle, that is a matter for your comprehensive car insurance, not your home policy.
- Landscaping and gardens: the plants and garden beds themselves usually attract limited or no cover.
The negligence trap: why maintenance records matter
Here is the issue that catches homeowners out most often. If your insurer can show that the tree fell because it was dead, diseased or obviously neglected, they may deny the claim on the grounds that the loss was preventable. A healthy tree brought down by a genuine storm is usually treated as an act of nature and covered. A rotten tree you were repeatedly warned about is a different story.
This is exactly why documenting your tree care is so valuable. If you have kept a dangerous or declining tree under professional watch, or acted on advice to prune or remove it, you have evidence that you behaved as a responsible owner. Knowing how to recognise when a tree has become hazardous, and keeping records of any work done, protects you if a claim is ever disputed. Being able to spot the difference between a healthy tree and one in decline is worth its weight in gold at claim time.
What about a neighbour’s tree?
If a neighbour’s tree falls onto your property, the situation gets more nuanced. Generally your own home insurance handles the damage and removal regardless of who owned the tree, particularly when it fell in a storm as an act of nature. Liability can shift, however, if the tree was clearly dead or dangerous and your neighbour ignored reasonable warnings, in which case their insurance may come into play.
These disputes can get complicated quickly, and knowing your rights and options when a neighbour’s tree is affecting your property helps you approach the conversation from an informed position.
How to give yourself the best chance of a claim
If a tree does damage your property, a few sensible steps make the claims process smoother:
- Make the area safe and prevent further damage, but do not undertake permanent repairs before the insurer has assessed the loss.
- Photograph everything before anything is moved, including the tree, the damage and the surrounding conditions.
- Keep any written arborist advice, quotes and receipts.
- Contact your insurer promptly and follow their instructions on approved removalists or assessors.
A qualified arborist can also provide documentation that supports your claim, such as a written assessment of why the tree failed. If you are not sure what an arborist actually does or what they charge for this kind of report, it is worth understanding the profession before you engage one.
The bottom line
Home insurance is a safety net for genuine accidents, not a substitute for tree maintenance. It generally covers the damage and clean-up when a healthy tree falls unexpectedly and hits something insured, but it will not pay to remove a hazardous tree before it fails, nor to clear a tree that fell without causing damage. The smartest financial move is prevention: keeping your trees healthy, pruned and inspected ahead of storm season so they are far less likely to fail in the first place.
AB Trees can help on both fronts. If you have a risky tree you would rather deal with before it becomes a claim, our tree removal and pruning services keep your property safe, and after a storm we can clear fallen trees and provide the documentation your insurer may ask for. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.
