Is this you?
- ▸A tree fell on your house, garage, fence, or vehicle
- ▸A neighbor's tree fell on your property
- ▸A windstorm dropped large limbs and you're not sure what's covered
- ▸Your tree fell during a storm but didn't hit anything
- ▸An adjuster told you the claim is denied and you want a second opinion
Most Washington and Idaho homeowners policies cover tree damage under three conditions: the damage was caused by a covered peril (usually wind, lightning, or hail), the tree actually hit a covered structure (house, garage, attached deck, fence), and the policyholder didn't know in advance the tree was dead or dangerous. That last clause is the one that gets people denied.
If you knew the tree was dead and didn't take action, your insurer can argue the failure was foreseeable and deny the claim under the maintenance exclusion. This is why a written risk assessment matters even for trees you decided to leave standing — it shows you were monitoring, not ignoring.
When a tree falls and doesn't hit anything, most policies will not pay for removal. The exception is when the tree blocks a driveway or accessible entrance — some policies will pay up to $500–$1,000 to clear it. Read your declarations page or ask your agent specifically about "debris removal coverage."
Neighbor-tree-on-your-property is the most contentious scenario. The general rule across Washington and Idaho is that it's your insurance company's problem regardless of whose tree it was — unless you can prove the neighbor knew the tree was dead and didn't act. Get the documentation: photos showing the tree was already dead or hazardous before it fell, any prior written warnings to the neighbor, and a written arborist opinion if you can.
We help with claims directly. Every emergency response we do includes itemized invoices, before-and-after photos, a written description of the tree's failure mode (root, trunk, or canopy), and direct communication with your adjuster if you want it. Adjusters know our paperwork and it accelerates approvals.
Spokane / North Idaho Context
Avista has its own protocols for trees on their lines — call them at 1-800-227-9187 to report. Your insurer will not pay to clear utility lines; that's Avista's responsibility. But the tree itself, once de-energized and dropped, becomes your problem again — which is where we come in.
What to do right now
- 1Photograph everything before moving anything — wide shots and close-ups of the failure point.
- 2Call us at (509) 204-4333 for emergency stabilization — same day, fully documented.
- 3Call your insurance company after we're dispatched, not before.
- 4Get the claim number in writing and the adjuster's direct contact.
- 5Save every receipt — for emergency response, tarps, lodging if displaced, anything.
- 6Don't sign with the first "storm chaser" contractor who shows up unsolicited.
What it costs: Emergency tree-on-structure work typically runs $1,500–$6,000+ and is usually insurance-covered minus deductible (typically $500–$2,500). We bill direct to insurance when authorized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a claim?
Most policies require notice "promptly" — meaning days, not weeks. Don't wait. Call your insurer the same day or the next business day at latest.
Will my premium go up if I file a claim?
Possibly. Single tree damage claims often don't trigger a rate increase, but multiple claims in a short window can. That's a conversation with your agent, not the adjuster.
What if my neighbor's tree hits my house?
File on your own policy first — your insurer will then subrogate against the neighbor's insurance if there's evidence the neighbor was negligent. Don't try to collect from the neighbor directly first; it almost never works.
Need an Expert Eye on That Tree?
Free on-site assessment by an experienced Spokane Valley crew. No pressure, just answers.