Hurricane safety: Who's responsible when a tree falls on your home or car?

After a hurricane strikes, there is always plenty of damage to homes, cars and other property.

Here are some tips to help determine who might be responsible when a tree falls on a home or car.

The tree is yours:

If the tree falls on your home, your homeowners insurance should cover it. Homeowners insurance covers any covered structure on your property or a blocked driveway/wheelchair ramp. The insurance also pays up to $500 to remove the tree from your property.
If you rent, you should carry renters insurance but the landlord is usually responsible for the damage, so be sure to check your lease.
If the tree falls on your vehicle, your auto insurance should pick up the tab, but you're still responsible for the deductible.

The tree is not yours:

All cases are different, but if the other party was negligent then they're responsible. If the other party wasn't negligent, then you're responsible.
If you're responsible and the tree falls on your home, then the same conditions apply from above.

Cox Media Group

Beloved Clayton County teacher killed during trip to grocery store