Tree Removal Coverage under Property Form

July 13, 2011

First party wind claim where two trees fell on and caused damage to roof of insured's building. The area is difficult to reach and will require the use of a crane to remove the trees. Policy is a Special Causes of Loss form, CP 10 30 10 00 providing building only coverage with a $1,000 deductible for all perils insured against. The policy coinsurance requirement has been met in this case. The ACV repair amount to the roof is $7,500. Further roof damage may occur when the trees are removed. We have an estimate for tree removal for $4,000.

The policy attaches the Building and Personal Property Coverage form, CP 00 10 10 00. Does the additional coverages contained therein—a. Debris Removal—provide coverage to remove the trees? If so, is there coverage to only remove the trees from the building or to cut them up and haul them away as well?

Does the outdoor property additional coverage for trees come into play since wind is not a listed peril under this coverage?

What is covered in this case?

California Subscriber

The cost to remove the trees from the roof to gain access to it for repairs would be covered, but the debris removal coverage would not apply. Debris removal coverage applies to debris of covered property. As trees are listed as property not covered on the CP 00 10 10 00, their debris would not be considered debris of covered property. The outdoor property coverage would not come into play because it provides coverage only for loss caused by the listed perils, which, as you pointed out, wind is not one.

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