Trees and debris may seem like minor storm risks, but in reality they are responsible for some of the most expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive forms of property damage landlords face. A single downed branch can crack a roofline, shatter a window, or block a tenant’s only exit. Larger trees can cause structural collapse, long-term habitability issues, and weeks of displacement for renters. Understanding how your landlord insurance handles fallen trees, flying debris, and post-storm cleanup is one of the most important parts of protecting a rental property during storm season.
Steadily’s storm and hail damage coverage includes protection for many of the most common debris-related scenarios landlords encounter, but there are important limitations and conditions to understand. Not all tree damage is treated the same, and coverage may depend on the tree’s health, the extent of structural damage, and whether debris removal is necessary to protect or access the property. Below is a deeper look at how tree and debris claims typically work—and how landlords can prepare before the next storm arrives.
What counts as storm debris damage?
Storm debris damage includes more than just a fallen tree lying in the yard. In many cases it involves direct physical harm to the rental or a blockage that affects habitability. Tree limbs or entire trees may break away during wind, hail, or lightning events and land on roofs, porches, decks, or detached garages. Even smaller branches can pierce siding, break windows, or damage HVAC equipment. When branches block a driveway, walkway, or main entryway, the rental may become partially or fully inaccessible for tenants, which can create habitability issues and delay necessary repairs.
Damage is not always caused by your own trees. Flying debris from neighboring properties—including fencing, outdoor equipment, or uprooted vegetation—can become airborne during severe storms and impact your rental with significant force. These types of debris-impact incidents are also common storm damage scenarios and are generally treated the same way as a tree falling directly from your yard.
When insurance typically covers it
In most cases, landlord insurance covers debris-related damage when a healthy tree or branch falls due to an unpredictable, sudden storm event such as high winds, hail, or lightning. Coverage usually applies when debris directly damages a covered structure—this includes the dwelling itself, carports, detached garages, storage buildings, or other insured outbuildings. If the falling debris breaks a window, causes a roof leak, punctures siding, or otherwise harms the property, repairs are generally covered up to the policy limits and subject to your deductible.
Another common covered scenario occurs when debris removal is necessary to access or protect the property. For example, if a large branch blocks the front door and prevents safe entry, or if a tree must be cut and cleared to install a temporary roof tarp, the cost of debris removal may be covered even if the tree itself caused only minor damage. Insurers typically focus on whether the debris creates an immediate risk or interferes with essential repairs, which is why documentation and prompt reporting are critical after a storm.
When it may not be covered
Tree and debris damage is not automatically covered in all situations. If a tree was dead, dying, diseased, or clearly neglected before the storm, the insurer may argue that the loss was foreseeable and deny the claim. Regular maintenance plays a major role in determining whether the damage was preventable.
Insurance also generally does not cover situations where the only “damage” is debris scattered across the yard. If the fallen tree does not hit a structure or obstruct necessary access, cleanup costs may fall to the landlord. Similarly, if the repair costs do not exceed your deductible, the insurer will not issue payment.
There are also cases where a tree falls without damaging any insured structure—such as landing harmlessly in the backyard. Even if removal is expensive, the absence of structural impact typically means no coverage applies unless the tree blocks a critical path needed for emergency or maintenance access.
Landlord best practices before and after a storm
Simple preventive steps can significantly reduce the risk of tree-related damage. Scheduling regular tree maintenance—including trimming overhanging branches, removing dead limbs, and identifying trees that may be diseased or unstable—helps demonstrate that you acted responsibly before a storm. Many landlords also document property conditions with seasonal photos, making it easier to show the insurer that a tree was healthy before the storm hit.
After a storm, act quickly. Begin by taking clear, time-stamped photos or videos of all visible damage. Prevent further harm by covering exposed areas, moving tenants away from hazardous zones, and securing the property from additional weather exposure. Contact your landlord insurance provider as soon as it is safe to do so; delays can lead to complications, reduced coverage, or disputes regarding the cause of damage.
Insurance tip for landlords
While standard landlord policies typically cover storm-related tree damage, not all policies include full coverage for tree removal—especially when a tree falls without striking a structure. Reviewing your policy can help you understand whether debris removal is included, limited, or excluded. For broader protection, landlords may also consider specialized add-ons. Equipment breakdown can help if branches damage outdoor systems such as HVAC units, and liability coverage becomes especially important if falling debris injures a tenant, neighbor, or guest or causes damage to another property.
More storm damage topics
If you’d like to explore related storm damage issues that commonly affect rentals, here are a few starting points:
• Lightning and electrical damage
Each of these scenarios has its own coverage rules, exclusions, and best practices for landlords preparing for severe weather.
Bottom line: debris damage is more than just a mess
For landlords, fallen trees and storm debris are more than inconvenient cleanup jobs. They can trigger major disruptions, force tenants to relocate, and lead to expensive structural repairs. Understanding how your storm and hail damage coverage applies—along with maintaining proactive property upkeep—is the best defense against unexpected losses when the next storm rolls through.
Ready to protect your rental property before the next major windstorm or hail event? Get a landlord insurance quote from Steadily and safeguard your property from whatever blows your way.
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