10 Ways That Planting Trees in Your Yard Can Actually Lower Your Car Insurance

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At first it may sound odd, but planting trees in your yard can actually help you lower your car insurance. Trees are normally associated with giving you shade or making your property pretty but they can also provide you with an environment that helps keep your insurance costs down. It isn’t magic — it’s simply how trees affect factors that insurers consider when they evaluate risk.

Trees do more than provide an aesthetic value. Interested in how a few saplings in your yard can save you on your premiums? Let’s look at the unexpected ways planting trees might reduce your car insurance.

Weather Damage Reduced

Driving with Snow on Your Car — Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

A tree well placed can protect your car from harsh elements of hail, snow and scorching sun. Weather damage is factored into insurance company calculations, and parking your vehicle under the natural protection of a tree reduces the likelihood of weather related claims. This lowers the perceived risk, and may lower your insurance premiums.

It Saves Your Paint Job As Natural Shade

Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Chintung Lee

If you live in an area where it’s sunny year round, the sun can cause your car’s paint to fade or crack and require maintenance costs and insurance claims for cosmetic repairs. Plants that give shade extend the life of your car’s exterior. Anything that reduces the likelihood of claims is appreciated by insurers, and your leafy cover might just count towards a lower rate.

Falling Debris Protection

If you’re strategic where you plant trees, they can even serve as a shield from falling branches, debris or even roof tiles during storms. But while some trees can pose their own risks, if trees are properly maintained, they can protect you in ways that help to minimize damage and cut down on comprehensive insurance claims resulting from weather.

Lower Crime Risk

Well planned landscaping that includes trees can help improve the security of your home, your car, and your family. Trees and properly placed dense foliage make a natural barrier that thieves won’t get close to your vehicle. The lower your crime risk in a neighbourhood, the lower the number of theft claims and potentially lower your insurance premiums.

Improved Property Value

Your trees can add to the value of your property and sometimes insurance companies take that into consideration when setting your premiums. A yard well maintained and trees that are healthy will give the impression of a more secure, stable environment which could influence an insurer’s view that the risk of insuring your vehicle on that property is lower.

Reduced Road Visibility Hazards

Photo Credit: Shutterstock / GikaPhoto By waraphot

Trees can also help block headlights or street lights from shining directly into your yard or driveway and reducing night time glare that could cause an accident. Car insurance cost can be reduced by fewer accidents, which means fewer claims.

Safer Driveways

Trees planted along your driveway can, in fact, help define the edges of your driveway, preventing drivers from accidentally veering off. This will cut down the risk of minor accidents and scrapes that eventually take you to a claiming company. This helps to keep your insurance company in a lower risk profile.

Cooler Parking in Summer

Parking Predicaments — Image Credit: kaboompics via pixabay

Trees can also provide shade in hot weather, and help keep the temperature in your parked car down. By doing so, it helps reduce the likelihood of your car overheating or damaging your car’s interior, which will reduce the chance of a repair claim due to extreme heat. If you have fewer of these problems, insurers are unlikely to see your vehicle as one that is at high risk, and will be inclined to offer lower premiums.

Reduced Tree-Related Risks

Lucky Plants to Fill Your Home with Positive Energy — Photo Credit: Furknsaglam/ Pexels

Ironically trees can be a danger with fallen branches, however if well maintained, trees will actually reduce damage risks. The trees are regularly maintained and planted non invasive sturdy varieties so that the trees won’t damage the property during storms. If you demonstrate that you are active in taking matters into your own hands in terms of managing risks on your property that insurance companies may adjust your premiums based on.

Enhanced Neighborhood Appeal

15 American Traditions Fading Fast in the 21st Century — Image Credit: Phil Desforges/ Pexels

Trees also add to the appearance of your neighborhood. Keeping a yard well maintained and with plenty of trees can really help make the whole street look better, and the community feel safer and more appealing. In other words, insurers might take a broader view of your neighborhood and if they do, your premiums could be lower.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.