Your home is insured on an HO-3. Your neighbor's tree fell into your house during a windstorm. How much will your policy pay toward the cost of removing the tree?

In this scenario, the reason the policy pays nothing toward the cost of removing the tree that has fallen into your house is rooted in the specific coverage provisions of the HO-3 homeowners insurance policy. The HO-3 policy typically covers damage to the structure of the home caused by perils listed in the policy, but it does not typically extend liability coverage for tree removal unless the tree damages the insured property.

When your neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, the responsibility for its removal can fall outside of what your homeowners policy covers, especially if there was no prior damage caused by the tree itself. The policy generally does not cover costs associated with clearing debris—such as from fallen trees—unless there has been structural damage to the home as a result of the tree fall. Thus, while damage to your house is likely covered, the removal of the tree itself would not be paid for under the policy, leading to the conclusion that there is no coverage for this specific scenario.