Huge Tree Fell On ALL 3 Cars! Help Please!?

Question

About 2 hours ago a HUGE TREE on my property fell on top of ALL 3 of my cars.... parked in my driveway at home!

I have State Farm Insurance + Insurance on all my cars. HOWEVER, I'm not sure if this was an "Act of God" or not. We have a no frills policy, meaning it's just the basics... no extra tornado or flood insurance.. but a tornado/flood didn't cause this anyway.

I called State Farm, they gave a claim number and said someone would come to my house in a "timely manner." When I asked what that meant, they said "Anywhere between 1 hour and a few days" ARGHHHHHHHH!

I can't even move my cars! This tree was a gigantic + healthy tree.

There was NO storm or wind, or anything like that. We did have some light rain last nite... but it was VERY light, not enough by a long shot to knock over a 40 ft. tree!

I don't want to call my CAR insurance place because we're talking about 3 cars and the amount would be outrageous!

Does this sound like something HOME OWNERS would cover? HELP!!??

Answer 1

Your homeowners insurance will not pay for the damage to your cars.

Does not matter if its an act of god or not.  Does not matter if the cars are parked in your drive way - in your yard or even in your living room.

Homeowners does not pay for cars.

It's a standard exclusion in all homeowners policies that excludes damage to motor vehicles.

Even if the car is parked in the garage. Your house catches fire and burns the house (and car in the garage) to the ground.  Homeowners still does not pay for the car.

The only coverage that will pay for the cars - is the Comprehensive coverage on your Auto Policy.

You will have to file a claim under the policy for each of the three cars. You will incur a deductible for each car.

If you do not have comprehensive coverage - you are out of luck.

You may not want to call your car insurance.....but you have to. It's the only way you will get paid.

In the mean time -- take photos and go ahead and cut the tree off the cars so you can get the cars out.

If one of the car's is safely drivable - it's OK to cut the tree off and drive it.

Answer 2

It's auto.  Your homeowners insurance will NEVER cover your cars.  Your cars are specifically excluded from coverage.  

There is no reference to "act of God" in any insurance policy I have ever seen.

If you do not have "comprehensive" coverage on your each car, it's not going to be covered.   I don't think the tree removal cost is going to be covered.  The damage the tree did to each car should be covered, subject to the deductible - on each car.

Sorry.

Answer 3

Well, your homeowners insurance may pay to have the tree removed. You need to call them to tell them that you are going to have the tree taken off the cars. You'll probably end up paying that cost out of pocket, but keep the receipts and they will apply it to your deductible.

The homeowners insurance will not cover the car. If you have comprehensive coverage, your auto policy will pay out. If you don't have comprehensive, then there will be no coverage for your cars at all.

Call your auto company ASAP. Since it wasn't your fault, your rates shouldn't be affected.

Answer 4

The auto damage will be covered under your auto insurance (assuming you have comprehensive coverage).  Homeowner's insurance will NOT pay for the cars.

Answer 5

I don't think homeowner's insurance normally covers licensed vehicles.  They should have their own insurance and would be covered by Comprehensive coverage (if you have that).

My neighbor's tree dropped a huge branch in my driveway, but fortunately I had parked my car farther back.  After it dropped another branch that broke his new fence, he had the giant maple tree totally removed.  Apparently we have asian longhorn beetles in the area and their larvae like to chomp pencil size holes through trees.  But another neighbor took down an even larger maple and found a worm larger than a wiener in a hollowed out area, and that tree looked healthy.

Answer 6

I just want to confirm what MSAD said. Your homeowners policy will be of no help to you with car damages, ever.

Answer 7

Your homeowner's coverage will not provide coverage for your vehicles.   Vehicles are usually excluded.  

You need to call your auto carrier.  If you have comprehensive coverage, they will pay you less the deductible for each vehicle.