A tree falling during a storm can cause thousands of dollars in damage, but one Ohio resident says their neighbor had been warned about the risk months earlier. They spotted dead branches and fungal growth on a large oak tree and even texted the neighbor to ask whether they planned to have it inspected.
The neighbor never replied. Two months later, the tree came down during a windstorm and landed on the resident’s parked car, causing around $6,000 in damage.
Now the car owner is facing a $1,000 insurance deductible, while the neighbor refuses to provide their homeowners insurance information. The resident turned to Reddit to ask whether their earlier warning could affect who pays.
They had raised concerns about the tree months before it fell
According to the homeowner, the oak tree stood on the neighbor’s property. About two months before the storm, the resident took photos showing what appeared to be warning signs, including large dead branches and fungal growth on the trunk. They also texted the neighbor to ask whether the tree would be inspected.
There was no response. When a windstorm eventually brought the tree down, it landed on the homeowner’s car in their driveway, leaving them facing a costly repair.
The resident said their auto insurance adjuster explained that damage caused by a healthy tree falling during a storm would usually fall under the homeowner’s own comprehensive coverage. The adjuster also said evidence that the tree was already hazardous could affect whether the neighbor might be held responsible.
That matters because the resident’s comprehensive coverage comes with a $1,000 deductible. They could file a claim through their own insurer, but they don’t want to pay that amount if the neighbor knew the tree was in poor condition and failed to address it.
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Their neighbor says the storm was to blame
After the tree fell, the homeowner asked the neighbor for their homeowners insurance information. The neighbor refused, arguing that the storm caused the tree to fall and that they shouldn’t be held responsible.
The resident then asked Reddit whether there was a way to get the neighbor’s insurance information and whether the earlier photos and unanswered text could help establish liability.
No one has confirmed that the tree was diseased or unsafe before the storm. Dead branches and fungal growth raised concerns, but determining whether the tree posed a known hazard would require an inspection and other supporting evidence.
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Other homeowners urged them to share the evidence with their insurer
Many commenters suggested that the resident stop trying to get the neighbor’s policy details and give their own insurance company everything they had. That included the photographs, text message, and details about when and how the tree fell.
One commenter recommended filing a claim and letting the insurance company pursue the neighbor or their insurer if the evidence supports it. They also shared a personal experience involving a dying tree, saying they had sent a certified letter, photographs, and other documentation to both the neighbor and their own insurer before having the tree removed.
Another commenter gave similar advice: send the photos and messages to the insurance company instead of continuing to argue with the neighbor.
Several people also brought up subrogation. This is when an insurance company seeks reimbursement from another party after paying a claim, though whether it applies here depends on the evidence, the policies involved, and the final liability decision. The homeowner may also be able to recover the deductible if the insurer successfully recovers from the neighbor.
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The warning could still be worth documenting
The homeowner hasn’t shared whether they filed an insurance claim or reached any agreement with the neighbor. For now, they have pre-storm photographs, a dated message showing they raised concerns, and an insurance policy that may cover the damage after the deductible.
The situation reminds people to keep records if a tree on a neighboring property appears unsafe. Photos and dated messages can show what you noticed and whether you told the property owner.
Here, the resident raised the issue two months before the oak tree fell on their car. It’s still unclear whether that earlier warning affects who pays the repair bill.
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