The answer — frustratingly — is: it depends. Home insurance in Australia is not a blanket safety net for all tree-related costs. Whether your policy responds depends on what caused the tree to fall, what it landed on, and what your specific policy says. This article walks through the most common scenarios Sydney homeowners face, and what to do in each one.
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How Home Insurance Generally Works With Fallen Trees
Most standard home and contents insurance policies in Australia include some cover for storm damage — meaning that if a tree or branch falls on your home, garage, or other insured structure as a direct result of a storm, your policy may cover the cost of removing that tree and repairing the damage it caused.
But there are two important qualifications most policies attach to this:
- The tree must have fallen as a result of a covered event — typically storms, lightning, or other sudden, unforeseen incidents.
- The tree must have caused damage to an insured structure — if a tree falls into your garden but doesn’t hit anything covered under your policy, most insurers will not cover its removal.
This distinction catches many Sydney homeowners off guard. A large tree lying across your lawn after a storm may look dramatic, but if it hasn’t damaged your home, fence, or another insured structure, many policies treat its removal as your cost — not the insurer’s.
| 🏠 Key Rule: Most insurers cover tree removal only when the tree has caused damage to an insured structure during a covered event. Removal alone — without associated structure damage — is often not covered. |
Scenarios: What Is and Isn’t Typically Covered
| Scenario | Typically Covered? | Why |
| Storm causes tree to fall on your roof | Usually YES | Storm is a covered event; roof is an insured structure; removal + repair usually covered |
| Storm causes tree to fall in your garden — no structure damage | Usually NO | No damage to insured structure; removal costs typically fall to homeowner |
| Diseased or dead tree falls on your home | Often NO or disputed | Insurer may argue neglect or pre-existing condition; policy exclusions often apply |
| Neighbour’s tree falls on your property during a storm | Usually YES (your insurer) | Your policy generally covers damage to your structures regardless of tree origin |
| Tree root damage to foundations or pipes | Usually NO | Gradual damage exclusions apply in most policies; not a sudden event |
| Tree falls on your car in the driveway | Check car insurance | Likely falls under comprehensive car insurance, not home insurance |
| Tree falls on your fence | Depends on policy | Some policies include fences as insured structures; others exclude shared fences |
| ⚠️ Important: This table reflects common policy patterns only — not legal or contractual certainty. Individual policies vary widely. Always check your own Product Disclosure Statement before assuming cover applies. |
The ‘Neglect’ Exclusion: Why Dead or Diseased Trees Are a Problem
One of the most contentious areas in tree-related insurance claims is the ‘neglect’ or ‘gradual deterioration’ exclusion. Most home insurance policies in Australia exclude damage that results from neglect, lack of maintenance, or conditions that existed prior to the event.
In practical terms, this means: if an insurer’s assessor determines that a tree that fell during a storm was already dead, dying, or visibly diseased before the storm, they may decline your claim on the basis that the fall was foreseeable and could have been prevented with reasonable maintenance.
This is why regular tree health inspections matter — not just for safety, but for insurance purposes. Documenting that your trees were in reasonable health before a storm event, and that you acted on professional advice, strengthens your position significantly if you ever need to make a claim.
| 📋 Practical Tip: Keep records of any professional arborist inspections or tree maintenance work on your property. If an insurer questions whether you maintained your trees responsibly, this documentation can make a significant difference to your claim outcome. |
What to Do Immediately After a Tree Falls
How you respond in the immediate aftermath of a fallen tree can affect your insurance claim outcome. Here’s a practical sequence:
- Make the area safe first — keep people away from unstable sections of tree, any damaged power lines, or compromised structures. If power lines are involved, call Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy immediately and do not approach.
- Document everything before touching the tree — photograph and video the fallen tree, the damage it caused, surrounding conditions, and anything that might be relevant to how and why it fell.
- Call your insurer — notify them as soon as practicable. Most policies require prompt notification of an event that may give rise to a claim. Ask specifically what your policy covers and what documentation they’ll need.
- Get a professional assessment — an arborist’s report on the condition of the tree (whether it was healthy, diseased, affected by storm damage, etc.) can be valuable evidence for your claim.
- Arrange professional removal — once your insurer has assessed or given direction, organise removal by a qualified, insured arborist. Sydney Tree Company provides fast, professional tree removal services across Sydney with fully qualified arborists and comprehensive insurance.
| ⚠️ Important: Never attempt to remove a fallen tree yourself if it is in contact with power lines, resting on a structure, or presents any safety uncertainty. Always call a qualified professional. |
When Insurance Doesn’t Cover It: Your Options
If your insurer declines your tree removal claim — or if the situation simply doesn’t fall within your policy cover — you still have several practical options:
- Arrange professional removal at your own cost — this is often more straightforward and affordable than many homeowners expect, and a reputable arborist can usually provide a competitive quote
- If a neighbour’s tree caused the damage — the cost question becomes more complex. This is governed by NSW liability law, which we cover in depth in our companion blog: Who is responsible when a tree falls on a neighbour’s property in NSW?
- Dispute the insurer’s decision — if you believe a claim has been wrongly declined, you have the right to lodge a formal complaint with your insurer and, if unresolved, escalate to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)
- Review your policy at renewal — if your current policy provides inadequate cover for the tree-related risks on your property, consider policies with broader storm damage cover and lower exclusion thresholds
Common Mistakes Sydney Homeowners Make
| Mistake | Why It Matters | What to Do Instead |
| Assuming all storm damage is covered | Policies require both a covered event AND damage to an insured structure | Read your PDS carefully; understand your specific coverage before an event occurs |
| Not documenting before clearing up | Without photos/video, proving the extent of damage and how it occurred becomes difficult | Document extensively with photos/video before any cleanup begins |
| Delaying notification to insurer | Late notification can breach policy conditions and jeopardise a claim | Notify your insurer promptly — the same day if possible |
| Ignoring dead or diseased trees | A tree that falls after visible decline may be treated as a neglect exclusion | Get regular arborist inspections; act on any recommendations promptly |
| Assuming the neighbour pays if their tree falls on your property | Liability is more nuanced than this — it depends on negligence | Contact your own insurer first; they can pursue recovery if appropriate |
Tree Removal and Council Preservation Orders
A final important consideration for Sydney homeowners is that tree removal — even after storm damage — may require council approval if the tree is covered by a tree preservation order. Each Sydney council has its own rules about which trees can be removed, trimmed, or require a permit.
In genuine emergencies — where a tree poses an immediate threat to safety — most councils allow emergency removal without prior approval, but you’ll typically need to notify the council promptly afterwards and provide evidence that the removal was genuinely urgent. Sydney Tree Company’s qualified arborists are experienced in navigating council requirements across all Sydney local government areas and can advise you on what approvals may be needed for your specific situation.
| 📋 Council Requirement: Always check whether a tree is subject to a preservation order before removal, even after storm damage. Unauthorised removal of a protected tree can result in significant fines regardless of the circumstances. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does home insurance cover tree removal if the tree falls on the lawn but doesn’t hit any structure?
In most cases, no. Standard policies typically require that the tree has damaged an insured structure for tree removal costs to be covered. A tree lying on your lawn or garden — without hitting your home, garage, or other insured structure — will generally need to be removed at your own cost. Check your specific policy, as some premium policies have broader cover.
My neighbour’s tree fell on my fence during a storm. Who pays?
Your own home insurance is usually the first port of call — if your policy covers fence damage from storm events, your insurer would respond and potentially pursue recovery from your neighbour’s insurer if negligence can be established. For a detailed breakdown of neighbour liability in NSW, see our article: Who is responsible when a tree falls on a neighbour’s property in NSW?
Does home insurance cover tree removal if the tree was already dead or diseased?
This is the most contested scenario in tree-related claims. Many policies exclude damage caused by known defects or lack of maintenance. If an insurer can show the tree was visibly unhealthy before the event, they may decline the claim under a neglect or gradual deterioration exclusion. Getting regular professional tree health assessments is the best protection against this outcome.
How quickly do I need to notify my insurer after a tree falls?
Most policies require ‘prompt’ notification — meaning as soon as reasonably practicable after the event. Practically, this means the same day or the following day in most cases. Delaying notification without good reason can breach your policy conditions. Check your PDS for your specific notification requirements.
Can I get an arborist report to support my insurance claim?
Yes — and in many cases it is advisable. An arborist’s professional assessment of the tree’s condition before and after falling can provide important evidence about whether the tree was healthy, whether the fall was caused by the storm event, and what the removal involves. Sydney Tree Company’s qualified arborists can provide professional assessments and reports.
What is the excess on a tree removal insurance claim?
Policy excesses vary between insurers and policy types, but many home insurance policies carry an excess of $500–$1,500 for storm-related claims. If the cost of tree removal is close to or below your excess, it may be more practical to pay out of pocket rather than lodge a claim that could affect your premium at renewal.