Insurance coverage when tree growth damages property

Coverage Q&A: A tree's roots grew through a property's exterior brick wall.

When a maintenance item is left unattended, it can lead to further damage, such as when a tree is allowed to continue growing out of a downspout. (Photo: KRiemer/Pixabay)

Every claim is different, and some insurance policies can be difficult to interpret for unique situations. FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation, the recognized authority on insurance coverage interpretation and analysis for the P&C industry, makes it simple to find credible answers to your complicated coverage questions. Analysis brought to you by our FC&S experts. 

Editor’s Note: In this week’s Coverage Q&A, a tree that grew out of a downspout damaged the side of the building with its undergrowth.

Question: We have a building insured under the CP 00 10 Building & Personal Property form, with the CP 10 30 Cause of Loss Form, edition 04 02. A tree/bush took root in the wall of the building near a downspout. The root grew through the middle of the exterior wall of brick. The loss was discovered when the outer portion of the brick wall gave way and fell to the ground.

Our initial thought is that there is no coverage for this loss. However, in reviewing the CP 10 30 form, it is difficult for us to pinpoint an applicable exclusion.

Do you see coverage for this loss? 

— Kentucky Subscriber

Analysis: Keeping property properly maintained is essential to prevent larger problems from forming. Often, when something breaks or looks out of place on an insured’s property, it is a sign of some underlying issue. For example, broken concrete can be a sign of water flowing underneath the surface from a broken pipe, roof shingles falling off could be a sign of roof damage, and trees growing through any property is a sign they are getting water and nutrients from somewhere.

Answer: To learn the answer to this week’s coverage Q&A, please log into your FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation account.

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