It’s something that we never think will happen to us… Until it does. Yes, trees do sometimes fall onto homes, whether due to wind, weakness from disease, or something else (usually a combination of several factors). It can be difficult to know what to do in such a stressful, unexpected situation. But if you take these seven steps when a tree falls on your home, damage can be quickly repaired and the mess cleaned up safely.

Get out of the house. Don’t panic, but do get all family members out of the house right away. Don’t go back inside until a professional assessment of risk has been conducted.

Turn off the electricity and gas lines. Use your main shut-offs to turn of electricity and gas, just in case lines are disrupted. The last thing you need right now is a major fire or risk of additional damage and injuries.

Call 911 in certain situations. If a power or gas line is involved, or if you have reason to suspect any other type of life-threatening situation, call 911 to request help.

Call an emergency tree removal service. We need to get that tree off of your home right away, so that a contractor can assess the damages and begin repairs right away. If your roof is compromised, you need to take steps to prevent further damage from rain.

Take photos and save receipts. Take photos both before and after the tree is removed from your home, so that you can prove the damage to your insurance company. Keep all receipts related to the incident, so that you can correctly reimbursed.

Call your homeowners insurance company. A claims adjustor needs to come out and assess the damage in person. Your insurance professional will also help you understand what to expect, and which repairs and other expenses will be covered by your policy.

Schedule repairs. In addition to tree removal, your home will need repairs. We should also discuss what to do with the tree’s leftover stump or other damage to your landscape. Give us a call if a tree has fallen on your home, and we can help you address the damage and clean up the mess.