Is this you?
- ▸Tree fell on your house, garage, vehicle, fence, or other structure
- ▸Tree fell across your driveway, walkway, or street
- ▸Tree fell into power lines
- ▸Tree fell into your neighbor's property
- ▸Tree fell in your yard without hitting anything
Step 1: Get everyone safe. Out of any affected room, away from any line that could be live, away from the failure cone of the tree (which can shift again). Account for kids, pets, and anyone who might have been outside when the tree came down.
Step 2: Check for downed power lines. If a line is on the ground or in the tree, stay 35 feet back, keep everyone clear, and call 911 to report it. Do not approach the tree until utility crews have de-energized the line.
Step 3: Check for gas leaks if the tree hit your house. Roots can rupture buried gas lines and falling trunks can break above-ground meters. If you smell gas, evacuate and call your gas company from outside the house.
Step 4: Photograph everything. Wide shots showing the full scene, close-ups of structure damage, photos of the failure point on the tree, photos of any displaced property. Time and date stamps. This is the foundation of your insurance claim.
Step 5: Call us at (509) 204-4333. 24/7 emergency line. Tell us exactly what's down, what it hit, whether anyone is hurt, and whether power lines are involved. We dispatch based on the information you give us.
Step 6: Call your homeowners insurance — after dispatching us. Get a claim number, the adjuster's name and direct contact, and ask whether they'll authorize direct billing to our company. Most major carriers will.
Step 7: Mitigate further damage if safe. Tarping the roof, securing broken windows, getting belongings out of rain — all are things insurance expects you to do reasonably. Save receipts for any materials. We bring tarps and emergency stabilization to every storm response.
Step 8: Don't sign anything with unsolicited "storm chasers." After major events, out-of-state contractors show up offering immediate work for big deposits. They often don't carry Washington insurance, do shoddy work, and disappear. Use a licensed local company you can verify.
Spokane / North Idaho Context
Spokane's storm response window stretches when major events stack calls. We prioritize: house impact first, blocking emergency access second, hanger removal over walkways third, everything else after. If you have a tree on your house, mention it specifically — it jumps the queue.
What to do right now
- 1Get everyone clear of the failure zone.
- 2Stay 35 feet from any potentially live line — call 911.
- 3Photograph everything before moving anything.
- 4Call (509) 204-4333.
- 5Call your insurance after dispatch.
- 6Tarp and secure if safe — save receipts.
- 7Don't sign with unsolicited contractors.
What it costs: Emergency response: $1,500–$8,000+. Most insurance-covered minus deductible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I move the tree off my car right away?
No — moving a tree off a vehicle releases stored tension and can shift the load in unpredictable directions, often making damage worse. Wait for the crew.
What if a tree fell into the neighbor's yard?
Document where it fell, call your insurance, and let them handle the conversation with the neighbor's insurance. Don't try to negotiate directly — it almost never goes well.
Do I have to use the contractor my insurance recommends?
No. You choose your own contractor. Insurance pays for the work regardless. Many carriers have preferred contractor networks but you're not obligated to use them.
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