What happens if my tree kills one of the neighbors?

Luke451

Hi,

I think I got your attention with the title .

I was browsing online but I couldn't find this specific scenario, what happens if a fallen tree from my land causes damages to a person, or even a dog?

Essentially, what insurance should I get to cover such scenarios?
How would the law approach the case?

I know it's an extreme case, but I didn't find any coverage for such things, so I guess that it would end up in the court but I could never pay enough damages to a person if it was really serious by my own pocket.

Just to clarify, I'm talking about my trees in the garden and one in the front yard, all of them very well maintained, but you know, a tempest or whatever unforeseen event could bring it down and I want to be insured for the same, thanks.

JGB1955

Your house insurance should normally include Public Liability cover for several million pounds.

BarelySentientAI

Hello again Luke

You're looking for public liability insurance - very often included in home insurance.

If, as you say, they are well maintained then this will cover you for millions.  You would only be personally liable if you knew that they were diseased/damaged/unstable and chose to do nothing about it.

lisyloo

You won't be liable in a freak event e.g. lightening strike as that's not your fault.
If you they then get unstable and were guilty of negligence then you'd be liable.
Most people have this liability covered on their home insurance.

DullGreyGuy

Luke451 said:

Hi,

I think I got your attention with the title .

I was browsing online but I couldn't find this specific scenario, what happens if a fallen tree from my land causes damages to a person, or even a dog?

Essentially, what insurance should I get to cover such scenarios?
How would the law approach the case?

I know it's an extreme case, but I didn't find any coverage for such things, so I guess that it would end up in the court but I could never pay enough damages to a person if it was really serious by my own pocket.

Just to clarify, I'm talking about my trees in the garden and one in the front yard, all of them very well maintained, but you know, a tempest or whatever unforeseen event could bring it down and I want to be insured for the same, thanks.

Your Home insurance will include public liability both as the owner of the property (buildings) and as the occupier of the property (contents). 

So if someone was to approach you trying to claim for an injury/death or property damage you'd pass it on to your relevant home insurer and they would defend the claim on your behalf. As others have said, for their claim to be successful against you they would need to show you have been negligent which generally would mean that it was obvious the tree was in poor health/damaged and you'd had reasonable time to get someone out to look at it etc but had failed to do so.  If its bad weather and the tree was otherwise healthy before it then you'd not be liable and so the insurer would be defending you and ultimately no payout would be made.