Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Removal​ in Missouri?

Summary: Missouri homeowners insurance may cover tree removal after damage occurs from a covered event, like wind or lightning. However, preventative removal, such as taking down dead or leaning trees, is considered maintenance and typically not covered. Knowing what’s included and staying proactive can help protect your property, avoid denied claims, and reduce out-of-pocket costs. Estimated Read Time: 5 mins

Table of Contents:

1. Will My Homeowners Insurance Cover Preventative Tree Removal in Missouri?
2. Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Diseased Tree Removal in Missouri?
3. Missouri Storms and Tree Removal
4. How Much Does Insurance Pay for Tree Removal in Missouri?

Storms and trees are both part of life in Missouri. But when branches crash down or trees lean dangerously, it raises a big question: Will homeowners insurance cover the cost of tree removal? Let’s dig into what’s usually covered, what’s not, and what Missouri homeowners can do to protect their homes and wallets.

Will My Homeowners Insurance Cover Preventative Tree Removal in Missouri?

Homeowners insurance in Missouri usually doesn’t pay for tree removal unless damage has already occurred. Taking down a dead or leaning tree before it falls is seen as routine upkeep and is your responsibility.

Insurance generally only covers removal after a covered event—like a storm or lightning—causes the tree to fall. If a tree falls during a storm and lands on your house, garage, or fence, and the fall was caused by something your policy covers, like a windstorm, your insurance may pay for:

• Tree removal, up to a certain amount (typically $500–$1,000)
• Repairs to the damaged structure

Keep in mind that how a tree causes damage will affect your protection. Dwelling coverage is there for your home, but other structures coverage will protect your shed, detached garage, fencing, etc.

Preventing Damage

Homeowners insurance is about recovering from damage, not preventing it. Therefore, it’s your job to remove risky trees before they fall, rather than waiting for tree removal insurance.

Furthermore, if you do know about a possible hazard from a tree but fail to do anything about it, there’s a good chance your home insurance company will deny your claim should you file one in the future.

Always be proactive as a homeowner and do whatever you can to curtail smaller problems before they become bigger ones.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Diseased Tree Removal in Missouri?

Usually not. If a tree is sick, dying, or already dead, your insurance company considers that a maintenance issue. It’s up to you to remove it before it becomes a danger.

Diseased trees can fall more easily, especially during storms. But because the disease develops over time, insurers expect homeowners to deal with the problem before it causes damage.

If a diseased or dead tree falls and damages your home, your claim could be denied, especially if it looks like neglect was involved.

Keep in mind that policies in Missouri also don’t cover tree removal after flooding or earthquake unless you have a separate flood insurance or earthquake insurance policy.

Missouri Storms and Tree Removal

Missouri is no stranger to wild weather, and between tornadoes, ice storms, hail, and strong winds, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to wake up to fallen branches or entire trees on their property.

Tree removal insurance coverage can be tricky, as your policy may or may not step in to help; however, there are many other considerations that go into removing trees after a storm.

To start, make sure everyone’s safe. Downed power lines? Stay clear and call the utility company right away.

Once it’s safe, document the damage with photos and get in touch with your insurer.

Unless the fallen tree is causing immediate danger, hold off on removal until your claim is reviewed.

Now, if the tree fell because of a covered event like wind or ice and damaged your home, fence, or even blocked access to your driveway, your policy may reimburse you for part of the removal and help pay for repairs.

On the flip side, if a tree from your yard topples over and lands on a neighbor’s property, you’re usually only responsible if negligence is involved, like ignoring a visibly rotting trunk.

But here’s the deal: not every tree emergency is insurance-worthy. If you’ve got a tree that’s clearly sick, leaning dangerously, or showing signs of rot or fungus, it’s best to act before a storm does.

A cracked trunk or a canopy that’s half gone is a red flag. Removing it might cost a bit upfront, but it can prevent a bigger mess and potentially a denied claim later on.

When you’re hiring help, make sure to do your homework. After a storm, it’s not unusual for questionable “tree services” to start knocking on doors.

Protect yourself by hiring a certified arborist. Look for professionals who carry liability and workers’ comp insurance, always check their references, and steer clear of anyone pushing “tree topping”—an outdated, harmful method that is not a good long-term solution.

If you want to double-check a company’s license, you can do so by looking them up online through a licensee search from the Missouri Division of Professional Registration.

Looking ahead, the best way to avoid storm-related tree trouble is with a little prep work.

Start by planting smarter. Skip brittle varieties like silver maples, box elders, and Bradford pears. Instead, choose species that are known to stand up to Midwest weather.

Regular pruning also goes a long way. Trim out weak limbs, remove suckers, and shape your trees carefully without overdoing it. Topping trees weakens them over time.

Finally, don’t forget about the roots. Avoid paving or digging too close to your trees, since their feeder roots sit close to the surface and are easy to damage.

A healthy root system means a stronger tree, and one that’s more likely to stay upright when the wind picks up.

Deductibles

Before your insurance kicks in to help with tree removal, there’s one thing you’ll almost always need to cover first: your deductible.

Let’s say a storm knocks a tree onto your home or fence. If it’s a covered event, like wind, hail, or lightning, having homeowners insurance cover tree removal​ can occur, including reimbursement for damage after paying your deductible.

For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and the damage totals $5,000, you’ll pay the first $1,000, and your insurer covers the rest, up to your policy limits.

Just keep in mind that tree removal is often capped at a certain amount or percentage of your dwelling coverage. So, while insurance can definitely help, you’ll still be responsible for some out-of-pocket costs upfront.

How Much Does Insurance Pay for Tree Removal in Missouri?

If a tree falls and damages your home or other covered structures, most homeowners insurance policies will help pay for removal, typically between $500 and $1,000. This is part of your debris removal coverage, not a separate benefit.

However, if the tree came from a neighbor’s yard, your insurer might try to recover the cost from their insurance through subrogation, which would take place behind the scenes.

Just keep in mind that preventative tree removal isn’t covered. If a tree looks risky but hasn’t fallen or caused damage, it’s considered a maintenance issue, and that’s on you as the homeowner.

Every policy is a little different, so it’s smart to check your coverage details before a tree falls.

Sources:

Tree Care After Storms, Missouri Department of Conservation. Accessed June 2025. https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/TreeCareAfterStorms_0.pdf