When a tree comes through a roof, the first question is almost always the same: who pays? Especially when it wasn’t “your” tree — it came from the neighbor’s yard.
Mark Russell of 770 Arborist (licensed insurance adjuster and certified arborist, ~30 years pulling trees off houses) breaks down how indemnification actually works in that moment — and what you should have done before the tree fell.
Neighbor’s tree, your claim (usually)
A lot of calls start with: “The tree came from next door — how do I get my neighbor to pay?”
Even then, you’re usually still going through your insurance first. The other carrier rarely jumps out and writes a check without proof. They need evidence.
Put them on notice before it falls
If you already know the tree is a problem, don’t wait for the storm.
Have a certified arborist send a certified letter to the neighbor before failure — stating there’s a known issue and the tree needs to be addressed or taken down.
That paperwork matters. From the insurance view, it can move the loss from a pure “act of God” toward deferred maintenance / a known maintenance condition. If they were put on notice and did nothing, you’ve shifted liability and culpability toward the party that deferred the work.
Get it in writing
You need something you can show later: certified arborist letter (best); other written notice; clear record you put them on notice and they didn’t act.
Without that trail, “make my neighbor’s insurance pay” is a lot harder.
After the hit: mitigate, then subrogate
Once it’s on the house: (1) File with your carrier (2) Get the tree off, tarp, stop further damage (3) Turn the documentation into your insurer.
Often one carrier’s subrogation department contacts the other with the certified letter and evidence. When that works, the other company pays yours — and that should also cover your deductible.
Small claims caveat
On smaller losses, carriers may skip the subrogation hassle. If they don’t chase it, you may still have to pursue the other side yourself later.
Serving the South
770 Arborist serves the entire South — licensed insurance adjuster + certified arborist on the call.
Tree on a house? Call 770 Arborist, hit option 1 — you’ll get Mark.
