Winter storms in the Northeast are causing trees to snap onto roads, damaging cars and posing insurance challenges. Many assume standard coverage will protect them, but liability policies often only cover injuries or damage to others, leaving victims to foot the bill for repairs themselves (1, 2).

Home insurance typically won’t cover damage from fallen trees, even if the tree came from a neighbor’s property. Comprehensive auto insurance, an optional add-on, can provide protection for incidents like tree damage, offering coverage for events out of your control, such as falling objects or hitting an animal (3, 5).

Drivers should review their insurance policies to ensure they have the right coverage, especially during winter storms. Adding comprehensive coverage can provide meaningful protection for a relatively modest increase in premiums, covering damage to your vehicle from incidents like fallen trees (6, 8).

If a tree damages your vehicle or home, document everything, take photos, and file a claim quickly. Acting fast is crucial, especially after widespread storms when insurers are handling a high volume of claims. It’s important to understand what your policy covers and review your deductible (9).

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Heavy snowstorms in the Northeast have been snapping tree limbs onto cars. How auto coverage works for natural events