A tree or large limb may damage roofing, framing, windows, vehicles, fences, utilities, contents, and landscaping while leaving the building exposed to rain. The investigation should document the impact, the condition of the tree, ownership and location, storm conditions, emergency removal, and all ensuing damage.
The objective is to preserve an accurate record before water dries, components are discarded, buildings are repaired, financial records become difficult to reconstruct, or the parties take fixed positions without complete information.
Photograph the entire tree-to-building relationship
Show where the tree stood, where it broke or uprooted, the property line, the path of fall, each impact point, and surrounding trees or structures.
Take close images of roots, trunk, decay, cavities, break surfaces, prior cuts, supports, and identifying features.
Get records from emergency professionals
Ask arborists, crane operators, roofers, firefighters, utilities, and engineers to retain photographs and provide factual observations.
Keep contracts, invoices, weights, equipment logs, disposal records, and names of personnel who saw the original condition.
Follow the damage beyond the visible hole
Inspect framing, connections, roof deck, openings, electrical and mechanical systems, ceilings, walls, flooring, contents, and moisture migration.
Document temporary repairs and every concealed condition revealed during demolition.
Evidence checklist
- Tree, stump, root plate, break point, decay, and impact photographs
- Property line, tree location, surrounding conditions, and debris field
- Storm timing, wind, lightning, and witness information
- Arborist, contractor, engineer, utility, and emergency reports
- Before-condition photographs, maintenance, complaints, and tree-care records
- Removal invoices, saved sections when appropriate, repair scopes, and contents records
Read the complete policy and preserve post-loss compliance
Notice, protection of property, inventories, records, inspections, sworn statements, examinations, proof of loss, and other duties vary. Keep requests and responses in writing, document reasonable mitigation, and obtain the complete policy and endorsements before assuming what is or is not covered.
Related claim guide
Fallen Tree Damage Claims
Read the full cause-of-loss, scope, evidence, and frequently asked questions page for this property claim.
View the property-claim guide
About the author
Thomas J. Nessler
Thomas is a partner at Nessler & Associates and represents policyholders in residential and commercial first-party property-insurance disputes.