Does Insurance Cover Tree Removal?

When a large tree comes down in your backyard - whether from a storm, decay, or an accident - the situation can be stressful and costly. One of the first questions people ask is: Does insurance cover tree removal?

The answer isn’t a simple yes or no because it depends on the type of insurance policy you have, the circumstances of the tree removal, and what exactly has been damaged.

At Growth Maintenance, we’ve helped countless Auckland homeowners, property managers, and body corporates deal with tree emergencies and planned removals. We understand how overwhelming the process can feel, especially when insurance claims are involved. 

Our expert team has put together this helpful guide to take you through what you need to know about insurance for tree removal in New Zealand, including the general guidelines, common scenarios, and how Growth Maintenance can help.

Reasons for Tree Removal 

Trees are an important part of our city’s landscape, but sometimes they need to come down for safety or environmental reasons. In our Complete Guide to Tree Removal in NZ, we explain that common reasons for removing trees include:

• Storm damage
• Disease or decay
• Risk to buildings, vehicles, or people
• Interference with infrastructure or power lines
• Development or landscaping projects

In some cases - such as after a major storm - the need for removal is urgent. Our emergency tree removal services in Auckland are designed to respond quickly to dangerous situations, keeping people and property safe.

Understanding Insurance and Tree Removal

When it comes to insurance, the Insurance Council of NZ states that:

“In general, the trees themselves are not covered by your house policy. However, the damage that trees cause to insured structures such as houses, garages, and fences generally are covered, so are the costs of removing parts of the tree that caused the damage to your home.”

This means that if a tree falls in your backyard and damages your roof, your insurance may cover repairing the roof and removing the part of the tree that caused the damage. But if a tree simply falls without hitting anything insured, you’ll likely need to cover the removal cost yourself.

It’s important to note that the ICNZ also explains that if your trees cause damage to a neighbour’s property in a severe weather event and it can be proven that you were negligent in not removing a rotten tree or delaying removal requests, you may be held liable. 

Scenarios Where Insurance May Cover Tree Removal

While every policy is different, here are some common situations where tree removal may be covered by insurance:

1. Storm Damage

If high winds or heavy rain cause a tree to fall onto your house, garage, or other insured structure, insurance usually covers:

• Repairs to the damaged structure
• Removal of the part of the tree that caused the damage

However, as we mentioned above, removal of the rest of the tree (e.g., the trunk or large branches lying in your yard) may not be included.

2. Damage to Fences

If a tree damages your fence, insurance often covers repairs or replacement - depending on the type of policy you hold. The removal of branches or parts of the tree impacting the fence may also be covered.

3. Damage to Shared Property

For body corporates and property managers, trees that fall onto shared property areas such as driveways, shared garages, or communal gardens may be covered under the building’s insurance policy.

Scenarios Where Insurance Usually Does Not Cover Tree Removal

Here are situations where the answer to “does insurance cover tree removal?” is typically “no”:

• A healthy tree falls but doesn’t damage any insured structures
• You want a tree removed for aesthetic reasons
• You remove a tree due to its proximity to your house without structural damage having occurred
• You want to clear land for landscaping or development

In these cases, the costs of tree removal are usually your responsibility.

What to Do if a Tree Falls on Your Property

If you experience storm damage or a tree emergency, here’s a quick step-by-step:

1. Ensure Safety First – Keep people and pets away from the affected area.
2. Contact Emergency Services if Needed – If the tree is entangled in power lines, call your electricity provider immediately.
3. Document the Damage – Take clear photos from multiple angles.
4. Contact Your Insurance Provider – Report the incident and ask about claim requirements.
5. Call a Professional Arborist – Our team at Growth Maintenance can respond quickly, assess the situation, and safely remove the tree.

The Role of Professional Arborists in Tree Removal for Insurance

Insurance companies often prefer working with qualified professionals to ensure the tree removal is done safely, efficiently, and in compliance with local council regulations. That’s why our certified arborists are highly skilled in emergency tree removals.

Our services include:

• Emergency tree removal after storms or accidents
• Hazardous tree assessments to help you prevent future incidents
• Coordination with insurance companies to provide reports, invoices, and photographic evidence for claims

Having a professional arborist on hand is also important when it comes to council regulations. In Auckland, some trees are protected under council rules, meaning you may need consent to remove them - even if they’ve caused damage. 

In emergency situations, removal may be permitted without prior consent, but you might need to provide proof that the situation was urgent. Our team is experienced in navigating these regulations and can help you avoid unnecessary delays.

Need Help with Tree Removal?

If you’re unsure whether your situation is covered - or if you just need a dangerous tree dealt with quickly - Growth Maintenance can help. Our professional arborists provide safe, efficient, and regulation-compliant tree removal across Auckland, working with homeowners, property managers, and body corporates.

Get in touch with us to get a professional quote for your insurance claim and arrange an urgent tree removal.

Insurance for Tree Removal FAQs

Severe weather has uprooted all my trees and scattered debris across my property. Will insurance cover the removal and clean-up?

If the fallen trees haven’t damaged an insured structure such as your house, garage, or fence, it’s unlikely your insurance will pay for removal or clean-up. The debris and tree removal costs will likely be your responsibility.

A tree on my property fell during a storm, damaging the fence I share with my neighbour and their house. Who pays?

According to ICNZ, your insurance will typically cover 50% of the fence repairs. Your neighbour (or their insurance) will cover the other 50% of the fence and any repairs to their home.