How to Navigate Repair, Insurance Claims After a Winter Storm in Central Texas

Austin, Texas – On Thursday afternoon in South Austin, many residents were outside inspecting damage and clearing tree limbs.

“One of the questions we hear a lot is, ‘Will my insurance company pay to remove these trees?'” said Ben Gonzalez of the Texas Insurance Department. “If it’s only in your yard, most policies won’t pay to remove them, but if they fall on your house or your car or block access to your home, then some policies will pay to remove those trees.”

People affected by the hurricane require comprehensive insurance to cover repair costs.

“If you only have the bare minimum, as required by the state, liability insurance that protects other drivers doesn’t protect your own car,” Gonzalez said.

A South Austin resident said she was grateful for the comprehensive coverage. She discovered that a large tree branch had fallen on her car on Wednesday evening, two weeks after it was painted at the body shop.

“I returned it a couple of weeks ago and now it looks like there will be a little more work in the auto repair shop,” she said.

According to AAA Texas, homeowners insurance usually covers sudden incidental losses such as freeze damage. But it’s important for homeowners to act quickly.

“You want to call your home insurance agent as soon as possible to begin the claims process,” Gonzalez said.

For those asking who is at fault for damaging a tree, Gonzalez said residents are usually not held liable, even if one neighbor’s tree falls on someone else’s property.

“Generally, your neighbor will not be held responsible for a natural disaster,” he said. “Unless there was some carelessness, like they were in the process of being trimmed, and that’s when it fell on your house or car.”

For residents who need to begin immediate emergency repairs, be sure to take photos, save receipts, and save damaged items if possible before notifying your insurance company.