What to know about fallen tree damage and insurance

With Austin temperatures climbing into the 80s this week, the destructive ice storms at the beginning of February that led to widespread and lingering power outages might seem like a distant memory to some.

But some home and car owners are still dealing with the effects of fallen trees and limbs broken by the weight of the ice.

Damage from fallen trees might be covered depending on how comprehensive your insurance is.

After the ice storms earlier this month, at least 16,000 insurance claims have been filed across the state. Insurance Council of Texas spokesperson Rich Johnson told the American-Statesman that the overall figure is less than what's typical after a major weather event.

If a fallen tree damaged your home or car, here's what you need to know:

What should I do if a fallen tree damages my car?

The Texas Department of Insurance said if a tree fell on your car, take pictures of the damage before moving the tree. Then make temporary repairs to keep rain, animals and other things out of the vehicle. Save your receipts for potential reimbursement, depending on your insurance policy, and then begin your claim process.

Can my insurance cover damage from a fallen tree?

Comprehensive home and auto insurance policies will likely cover falling objects, Texas Department of Insurance spokesperson Ben Gonzalez said.

What kinds of insurance are there?

Other kinds of vehicle insurance include auto liability; uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage; comprehensive coverage; collision coverage; medical payments; and personal injury protection.

What's the most common insurance plan?

Texas requires a minimum of $30,000 in liability coverage per injured person, up to $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. This basic coverage is known as 30/60/25.

Some drivers pay for the minimum liability coverage required in Texas, which would only protect another driver if you're at fault for an accident and would not include covering damage by fallen trees, Gonzalez said.

Which insurance would cover damage from fallen trees?

Gonzalez said a comprehensive plan would cover additional situations like weather, fire and vandalism.

What determines the cost of comprehensive insurance?

According to insurers Progressive and Allstate, comprehensive insurance covers noncollision events such as theft, vandalism, fire and damages caused by objects, including fallen trees and limbs.

However, Gonzalez said each company uses its own set of factors to determine the price of insurance, such as what kind of car you drive and where you live.

Does insurance require me to trim my tree?

Not typically. But if tree branches are too close to the home, some insurers might not be willing to issue a policy, Gonzalez said.

What would I do if my neighbor's tree caused the damage?

If your neighbor's tree fell and damaged your property, the Texas Department of Insurance said to make the insurance claim with your own insurance company.

"Your neighbor is generally not going to be responsible for an act of weather," Gonzalez said.