Monroe Chat

I just read this and thought it might be useful to anyone out there who might be faced with this issue :

John Materese 'Don't waste your money'

"Thousands of Tri State homeowners are dealing with downed tree limbs. And in some of those cases, they're dealing with damage to homes and cars as well.

Several viewers have asked us whether insurance will pay for the cleanup of those downed trees. It can cost more than $500 just to cut up and clear awy a single tree.

But insurance agents tell us in most cases, insurance will cover downed trees only if the tree damages your home, your car, a deck, or a fence.

A tree must hit an insured item (such as your home or car) for your policy to kick in. If a tree falls on your lawn, or onto shrubbery, it is typically not covered, unless you have an additional landscaping policy.

However, even if you think it won't be covered, be sure to hold onto any receipts from your clean up bills. You may be able to deduct it next year at tax time.

And if Federal or State disaster insurance comes our way, you may be able to have it reimbursed under a disaster program."