Neighbors tree falls on your house.

So let’s say there is a bad thunderstorm and the strong winds take a large branch from your neighbor’s tree and it falls on your house, damaging the shingles and the gutter. Who is responsible? First a couple questions need to be answered. How did the branch fall? In this case it was a storm. Second question. Did the branch fall due to neglect? In other words, was the branch dead and did your neighbors know about it. Let’s assume the tree was healthy. Therefore there is no “blame” so your homeowner’s policy would cover the repairs to your house (minus the deductible).

If however, your insurance company saw that the tree was dead or dying and could prove your neighbors neglected the tree or refused to have it pruned, then your neighbors insurance policy would cover your damage.

Driver crashes into my house.

Let’s start with the number one rule concerning vehicle accidents: The party at fault is liable for any damages caused by that accident. So, if a vehicle crashes into your home, and the crash was the driver’s fault, then he or she is on the hook for the damages caused to your home (or any other property, for that matter). So unlike the tree branch that falls from your neighbor’s tree, an auto accident on your property is someone else’s fault.

This is where the property damage clause of an auto policy comes in to play. And it makes sense, doesn’t it? Damage to your home is damage to your property, right? So, the property damage coverage in a driver’s auto policy will pay for any repairs that need to be done on your house.

Kids damage a parked car.

Let’s say your car is parked in the driveway or even on the street and some kids are playing nearby. They accidently throw a baseball at your car and it smashes a window? Who covers the damage? It is damage to your car, so is it auto insurance? But you didn’t do anything, and the kids don’t have auto insurance. This likely falls to the parents of the children and their homeowner’s policy. Typically, most homeowner policies provide coverage for miscellaneous accidents that occur near the home.

To learn if you have the appropriate insurance, contact your independent Provident Insurance agent. We serve Plainfield, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionsville and the entire central Indiana area. Stop in one of our convenient locations to discuss your insurance needs today.