Does Auto Insurance Cover Damage From a Fallen Tree?

Last Updated on December 19, 2025

A fallen tree (or even a single heavy branch) can crush glass, dent a roof, and sometimes total your vehicle. The good news: most drivers are covered for this kind of “out of nowhere” damage — but only if they carry the right part of their policy.

Key Takeaways

• Damage from a falling tree or branch is typically covered by comprehensive coverage — not basic liability-only insurance.
• If you hit a tree (or a tree that’s already down in the road), the claim is usually handled under collision coverage instead.
• Your deductible matters: if repairs are close to your comprehensive deductible, filing a claim may not be worth it.
• Even if the tree belongs to a neighbor, most people start by filing under their own comprehensive coverage unless clear negligence is easy to prove.

Quick Answer: Is a Fallen Tree Covered by Auto Insurance?

Yes — damage from a falling tree or branch is typically covered under comprehensive coverage (also called “other than collision”). If you only have the coverage required by law, you likely won’t have coverage for your own vehicle’s tree damage.

Whether it’s worth filing a claim depends on your deductible, the repair estimate, and whether the damage is cosmetic or safety-related (like shattered glass or compromised structural areas).

What Coverage Pays for Tree Damage?

Auto policies have a few main “buckets” of coverage. The ones that matter most for a fallen tree claim are:

• Liability coverage (including bodily injury and property damage): Pays other people if you cause damage or injuries. It does not fix your car when a tree hits it.
• Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your car when you hit another vehicle or an object (like a pole, guardrail, or tree).
• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for non-collision events — including falling objects like tree limbs.

If you’re financing your vehicle, your lender will usually require “full coverage,” which generally means you carry both collision and comprehensive until the loan is paid off.

Comprehensive vs. Collision: The Difference Matters

Here’s the simplest way to think about it:

• A tree falls on your parked car (or drops a branch on it): Usually comprehensive.
• You crash into a standing tree: Usually collision.
• You hit a tree that’s already down in the road: Often treated as collision because you collided with an object in the roadway.

Example: if you slide and strike a tree, causing bumper damage, and then the impact knocks loose a branch that lands on your roof, insurers typically treat the whole incident as a collision loss because the crash set everything in motion.

How Claims Work When More Than One Thing Happens

When you file an insurance claim, the claim is usually categorized by the primary cause of loss. That category matters because it determines whether the damage is billed under comprehensive or collision — and which deductible applies.

If the loss is collision-coded, it may be more likely to affect your premium than a typical comprehensive claim. (For context, see how rates can rise after a collision claim.)

What Comprehensive Coverage Usually Includes (and Excludes)

Comprehensive coverage is designed for events that are largely outside your control. It often covers things like:

• Fire
• Theft
• Glass breakage
• Falling objects, including trees and large branches

What it doesn’t cover is just as important. Comprehensive won’t pay for normal wear and tear (and it also won’t cover intentional damage).

Comprehensive losses can still impact pricing depending on your insurer, claim history, and state rules. If you want a deeper dive, see whether comprehensive claims raise your rates.

Deductibles: The #1 Reason People Skip Small Tree Claims

Both comprehensive and collision usually come with deductibles. Common choices are often in the $250–$1,000 range, and some insurers may offer different deductible options for different coverages.

If you have a $500 comprehensive deductible and the repair estimate is $600, you’d receive about $100 after the deductible. In many cases, that isn’t worth filing — especially if the damage is minor, like a damaged tire or light scratches.

If you’re trying to balance monthly cost vs. out-of-pocket risk, raising your deductible to save on premiums can help — but make sure you can comfortably pay that deductible if a tree lands on your car tomorrow.

What If It’s Your Tree (or Your Neighbor’s Tree)?

For your vehicle damage, the starting point is still your own policy: if you have comprehensive coverage, it typically pays regardless of whose tree it was.

That said, if the tree belonged to someone else and you can prove they were negligent (for example, a clearly dead tree they ignored), you may be able to pursue reimbursement from their liability coverage. This can get complicated, so many drivers file under their own comprehensive coverage first, then let the insurers sort out fault and reimbursement afterward.

Should You File a Claim for a Fallen Tree?

Here’s a practical checklist:

• Get a repair estimate first if it’s safe to drive and the damage seems minor.
• Compare the estimate to your deductible. If the payout would be tiny, consider paying out of pocket.
• File right away if there’s shattered glass, roof/structural damage, water intrusion, or the car is unsafe.
• Document everything: photos of the tree/branch, your car, the scene, and any storm damage nearby.
• Follow a clean claims process to avoid delays — here’s a helpful walkthrough on the proper way to file an insurance claim.

Are Comprehensive and Collision Required?

No state requires drivers to carry collision or comprehensive coverage. They’re optional unless a lender requires them while you’re financing a vehicle.

Some drivers choose to carry comprehensive but skip collision to save money. That approach can make sense for people with strong driving histories who mainly want protection from unpredictable events like hail, theft, animal strikes, and falling branches.

FAQs on Fallen Tree Damage and Car Insurance

Final Word: Will Auto Insurance Pay if a Tree Falls on Your Car?

In most cases, yes — a tree or branch falling onto your car is covered by auto insurance only if you have comprehensive coverage. You’ll typically pay your comprehensive deductible, and your insurer covers the rest up to the value of the vehicle.

If you’re concerned about tree damage where you park (especially during storm season), it’s worth reviewing your policy now — not after the next big branch comes down.