After that recent storm, Delaware County has seen a lot of damage from trees falling. Even those of us who were lucky enough to escape property damage were wondering what we have done if had been us. That being said, we decided to compile a blog post to make sure that if a tree does ever fall on your car, you’re prepared.
When you first hear that tree limb hit your vehicle, instinct might tell you to remove it and check out the damage yourself. However, that is not a good idea. The damage is done, and you could hurt yourself or cause more damage by trying to pull down the limb. Instead, your first action should be to call your auto insurance company and file a claim.
Dealing With Storm Damage
Whether it’s your tree, your neighbor’s tree, or a tree on public property, the claim needs to go through your insurance if it’s your vehicle. Tree damage, as well as flood damage, should be covered by your comprehensive portion of your insurance plan. Make sure you take plenty of pictures of the vehicle and discuss the extent of the damage with your insurance provider before looking for repair estimates.
While no one enjoys paying the deductible for an accident they didn’t cause, a tree falling is considered “an act of God” by insurance companies. Since no one is to blame, there is no one to ask for payment. The exception here is if your neighbor’s tree has been rotting for some time and then fell on your car. In other words, if you’d previously had a discussion with your neighbor about this tree being dangerous and they did not prevent the accident, they could be at fault. However, this is often difficult to prove.
For more information on dealing with the aftermath of a storm, check out this article by the Delco Times.