A storm just hit. There's a tree on your roof. Or a massive limb is hanging by a thread over your car. Or a tree in your backyard is leaning at an alarming new angle after last night's rain.
This is a time-sensitive situation, and the decisions you make in the next hour matter — both for safety and for your insurance claim.
Here's exactly what to do.
Step 1: Get Everyone Away From the Danger Zone
Before anything else: clear the area.
The danger zone around a fallen or leaning tree is larger than most people expect. A 60-foot tree can have major limbs extending 20–30 feet from the trunk. If a tree is partially fallen or leaning on a structure, the entire tree is unstable and could shift or complete its fall suddenly.
Minimum safe distance: Stay at least 1.5x the height of the tree away from it until professionals assess it.If a tree or major limb has fallen on your home:
- Do not go inside to retrieve belongings — roof structures can collapse under tree weight
- Do not walk under partially-fallen trees even to assess damage
- If anyone is inside, call 911 first
If the tree is energized (touching power lines):
- Call 911 and your utility company immediately
- Stay well clear — downed trees on power lines are live electrical hazards
- Do not touch the tree, any metal fencing connected to it, or any standing water near it
Once the area is clear and everyone is safe, you can start the documentation process.
Step 2: Document Before Touching Anything
This step can save you thousands of dollars in insurance coverage.
Take photos and video immediately. Document:- The full scene showing the tree's position and what it hit or damaged
- Close-ups of structural damage (roof holes, crushed walls, broken fence)
- The base of the tree (to show root condition, decay, etc.)
- Any identifiable cause (lightning scorch marks, split from wind, saturated soil)
- Neighboring structures or property affected
The exception: if there's an active roof breach allowing water in, you should tarp it immediately. Keep the receipt — your insurer expects you to prevent further damage and will reimburse reasonable costs.
Step 3: Call Your Insurance Company
Do this before you call a tree service, if at all possible.
Why the order matters: calling your insurer first opens a claim with a documented date and time. This establishes the cause of loss (storm event, specific date) before any remediation work begins. If you remove the tree first and then call, the adjuster has less evidence to work with and may dispute coverage.
When you call:
- Have your policy number ready
- Describe what happened ("large oak fell onto our roof during the storm last night")
- Ask for a claim number
- Ask about emergency service authorization — many insurers will authorize emergency removal over the phone before an adjuster visits
- Ask about your deductible and coverage limits for debris removal
Most emergency claims trigger an adjuster visit within 24–72 hours. If there's ongoing safety risk (roof breach, unstable leaning tree), explain that to get a faster response.
Step 4: Get Emergency Tree Removal
Now you can call for removal — and with a claim number in hand, you're in a much better position.
When calling for emergency service:
- Describe exactly what happened and the current danger (tree on roof, blocking driveway, touching power line, etc.)
- Ask if they have 24/7 emergency service
- Ask whether they'll work with your insurance directly or if you'll be reimbursed
- Ask for a written estimate before work begins if at all possible
- Available immediately (24/7, including nights and weekends)
- Licensed and insured in your state — this is critical
- Experienced with storm damage (not just routine removals)
- Will provide a written estimate, even a rough one
- Can document the job for your insurance claim
Step 5: Handle the Immediate Structural Damage
While waiting for the tree crew, take these temporary measures if safe to do so:
Roof breach: Cover with heavy-duty tarps secured with weights or staples. Don't walk on a roof that may be compromised. Broken windows: Board up or cover with plastic sheeting and tape from the inside. Water intrusion: Move valuables away from affected areas. Place buckets and towels to limit water spread. Structural openings: Board up any openings in exterior walls to prevent further weather exposure.Document everything you do with photos and receipts. These temporary repair costs are typically reimbursable.
Step 6: Assess the Full Scope of Damage
Once the immediate danger is resolved and the tree is removed, get a thorough damage assessment before any permanent repairs begin.
For structural damage to your home:- Get a structural engineer or licensed contractor to assess load-bearing impacts
- Don't assume a damaged roof only needs surface repair — tree weight can stress rafters and walls
- Check attic and upper floors for hidden water damage
- Stump grinding and root removal can disturb buried pipes and lines
- Call 811 (the national utility marking service) before any ground work
- Have a plumber scope your sewer line if tree roots are in the area — roots may have been growing into the line for years
- If your tree damaged a neighbor's property, notify them promptly
- Your liability coverage (typically under "Coverage E" in homeowners policies) may apply — check with your insurer
What Emergency Tree Removal Costs
Emergency service carries a premium over standard removal. Expect to pay:
- Emergency surcharge: $200–$600 on top of standard removal cost
- After-hours / weekend rate: Often 1.5–2x standard pricing
- Active storm / high-risk conditions: Some companies add 50–100% for working in active weather
A medium-sized tree removed from a roof might cost $1,500–$3,000 under emergency conditions, versus $600–$1,000 under normal scheduling.
If you have homeowners insurance and the cause was a covered peril (windstorm, lightning, ice), this cost may be largely or fully covered after your deductible. Learn more about what homeowners insurance covers for tree removal.
Preventing the Next Emergency
After the crisis is resolved, take a walk around your property with fresh eyes — or better yet, have a certified arborist do it.
Warning signs that a tree could be the next emergency:- Leaning more than 10–15 degrees toward a structure
- Large dead branches in the canopy (especially over your roof or car)
- Cracks or splits in the trunk or major limbs
- Fungal growth (mushrooms, bracket fungi) at the base or on the trunk — signs of internal decay
- Roots lifting out of the ground near the base
- Significant amount of deadwood visible from the ground
- Previous major pruning cuts that haven't healed properly
Most emergency situations are predictable. Trees don't go from healthy to fallen overnight — they show signs for months or years before a major failure event.
Regular inspections by a qualified arborist can identify hazards before they become emergencies. Find a certified arborist in your area for a property assessment. Most offer free or low-cost consultations, and the cost is a fraction of emergency removal or property repair.
Quick Reference: Emergency Tree Checklist
- [ ] Clear the area — everyone 1.5x tree height away
- [ ] If power lines involved, call 911 and utility company
- [ ] Document with photos and video before touching anything
- [ ] Tarp roof openings if there's active water intrusion
- [ ] Call your insurance company and get a claim number
- [ ] Get emergency tree removal scheduled
- [ ] Board up or cover any structural openings
- [ ] Keep all receipts for temporary repairs
- [ ] Wait for adjuster visit before final cleanup if possible
- [ ] Get structural assessment before permanent repairs
- [ ] Schedule post-storm arborist walkthrough for remaining trees