Storm Damage FAQs
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EmailMy neighbor's tree fell on my property during a storm. Who is responsibly for paying for the damage?
In Maryland, the cost of removing the tree and repairing any property damage falls to the owner of the property that sustained the damage. A homeowner cannot sue an adjoining landowner for property damage or tree removal even though it was the neighbor's tree that caused the damage. Usually this type of damage is covered by homeowners insurance.
Source: Maryland Law Encyclopedia, Adjoining Landowners § 4.
Should my homeowner's insurance cover damage from fallen trees?
Generally, if you have homeowners insurance, your policy may cover up to $500 towards tree removal. This limit of coverage applies to ALL the downed trees per loss and is not paid on a per tree basis. So regardless of whether you have two trees or 12 trees come down from the storm, you will receive only one payment from your insurance company, usually in the amount of $500.
If you have homeowners insurance and a tree(s) falls on a covered dwelling (your home) or other structure, your insurance should cover the cost to remove the tree from the damaged structure. This would be paid under the dwelling portion of your policy. The tree(s) will then be placed on the ground for removal. The removal of the tree(s) usually will be included in the lump sum payment of $500 for tree removal
If a tree(s) falls on your property and does not damage any part of your insured dwelling or other structures, you will only receive payment for what your policy allows for general tree removal.
Source:
Weather Related Damage: Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Coverage
Maryland Insurance Administration
Does homeowner's insurance cover flood damage?
General homeowners policies DO NOT insure you against flood damage. Flood insurance is provided by the Federal government under a program run by the Federal Insurance Administration. Although it is a Federal program, you may contact your agent or insurance company to obtain information or you can call Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 800-427-4661.
Source: Weather Related Damage: Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Coverage
Maryland Insurance Administration
Does homeowner insurance cover water seepage?
If water seeps into your basement from the ground, you are generally NOT covered for the resulting damages
. Water seepage is excluded under most homeowners policies. If the water seepage is not the result of a flood, you will not have coverage under your flood policy either. Problems from seepage are considered maintenance issues and are not covered by insurance.
Source: Weather Related Damage: Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Coverage
Maryland Insurance Administration
Is this legal advice?
This site offers legal information, not legal advice. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information and to clearly explain your options. However we do not provide legal advice - the application of the law to your individual circumstances. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney. The Maryland State Law Library, a court-related agency of the Maryland Judiciary, sponsors this site. In the absence of file-specific attribution or copyright, the Maryland State Law Library may hold the copyright to parts of this website. You are free to copy the information for your own use or for other non-commercial purposes with the following language “Source: Maryland's People’s Law Library – www.peoples-law.org. © Maryland State Law Library, 2010.”
