From Shade to Storm Damage: How Trees Impact Your Insurance

In rural Indiana, trees are more than just a part of the scenery. They line pastures, shade barns, and anchor long driveways. But while they add value and beauty to a property, trees can also bring risk. When not properly maintained, they can damage structures, injure people, or interfere with utility lines.

Whether it is a storm-blown branch or a slow decline in health, tree issues are among the most overlooked threats to home safety and insurance coverage. In this article, we explore how to spot risky trees, what insurance may or may not cover, and how to protect your rural property with a smart maintenance plan.

Tree Damage Is a Leading Source of Claims

Each year, homeowners file thousands of insurance claims for tree-related damage, especially after spring storms. In Indiana, high winds, saturated ground, and fast-moving weather systems combine to create the perfect conditions for falling limbs and uprooted trunks.

If you live in a wooded area or have mature trees near your home, barns, or fencing, it is important to assess their condition seasonally. This is especially true after Indiana’s spring storm season, which often leaves hidden weaknesses behind. Just one weak limb can bring down power lines, damage siding, or create expensive fence repairs.

As part of Oakwood Mutual’s commitment to helping members recover, most policies include up to $500 in tree debris cleanup for one fallen tree. This helps ease the burden after high-wind or lightning events and supports faster recovery.

Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

A tree may look healthy but still be a risk. Common indicators of a problem include:

• Cracks in the trunk or large limbs
• Leaning or shifting root structures
• Dead branches, even if the rest of the tree is green
• Bark falling away or signs of insect infestation
• Limbs that stretch over roofs, garages, or utility lines

These signs should trigger a closer inspection, especially before storm season. Working with a certified arborist can help you identify issues before they become costly damage.

If you are unsure whether your home’s layout or tree proximity affects your insurance, a policy review can provide clarity.

Tree Liability: Who Pays When Damage Happens?

Liability for tree damage depends on where the tree stood and what caused it to fall. If a healthy tree falls during a storm, your homeowner’s policy generally covers damage to your structures. But if the tree was clearly dead, diseased, or neglected, your insurer may deny the claim.

Worse still, if your tree causes damage to a neighbor’s home or property, you may be held liable if there is evidence that you knew the tree was hazardous. The same applies if a tree limb injures someone visiting your property.

This is why it is important to think of tree care as part of your broader home protection plan. In our blog on hidden risks, we explore other surprising ways your property might be affecting your rates, including outdated wiring and unfenced trampolines.

Power Line Proximity: A Serious Risk

Trees growing near power lines are especially risky. In rural areas where power infrastructure may be older or less closely monitored, branches can easily interfere with overhead wires. This creates a serious fire hazard and increases the chances of power outages during storms.

While utility companies often maintain public easements, trees on private property are the homeowner’s responsibility. If your trees are near lines or poles, routine trimming is essential. This not only protects your property but also reduces your liability in the event of an accident.

When emergency response is slower due to rural distances, keeping your home clear of hazards becomes even more important. Oakwood Mutual encourages members to plan ahead for access and visibility. In fact, fire hydrant distance is one of several location-based factors that can influence your premium in rural Indiana.

Understanding What Insurance Covers

Insurance policies typically cover tree damage to your home or other covered structures if the fall was caused by a covered event such as wind, hail, or lightning. However, they do not cover removal of trees that fall without causing damage, or trees that fall due to neglect.

This is where Oakwood’s policy benefits stand out. If one tree causes damage, your Oakwood Mutual policy may help cover up to $500 in removal costs. This can provide much-needed help during cleanup, especially if heavy equipment or professional crews are required.

If the damage is limited and falls under your deductible, it may make more financial sense to pay out of pocket. Knowing how and when to file a claim is essential, and our claim decision guide offers helpful advice.

Maintenance Tips for Tree Safety

The best way to manage tree-related risk is through proactive care. Here are a few tips for keeping your property safe:

• Trim back limbs that extend over structures or wires
• Remove any trees with visible decay or root instability
• Avoid planting new trees too close to buildings or driveways
• Schedule annual walkarounds and seasonal checkups
• Mark your property address clearly for emergency responders

Proper care not only prevents damage, but it also helps your insurance stay affordable. Homes that show evidence of ongoing maintenance are less likely to experience rate increases or claim issues over time.

Why a Local Agent Makes the Difference

Tree risk varies widely based on soil conditions, wind exposure, and age of the trees—factors that national insurers may overlook. At Oakwood Mutual, our agents live in the same communities you do and bring first-hand knowledge of rural Indiana.

Your Oakwood agent can:

• Walk you through what is and isn’t covered
• Recommend improvements to reduce risk
• Review the structure of your current policy
• Help you access cleanup benefits when needed

Unlike some larger insurers, Oakwood Mutual believes in meeting members where they are; on the farm, in small towns, and across the backroads of Indiana.

Trees are a natural part of life in rural Indiana, but they come with responsibility. If a storm sends a branch through your roof or across your driveway, you want to be sure you’re protected. By taking action early, you can reduce your exposure and avoid the frustration of denied claims or rate hikes.

Make a plan today. Inspect your trees, schedule a seasonal review, and keep Oakwood’s $500 tree cleanup benefit in mind should something fall. With the right support and a trusted agent, you can enjoy the beauty of your land without the hidden risks.