Root damage and wind throw are two of the main threats facing trees in the Pacific Northwest. Your landscape is likely filled with beautiful evergreens, but they are also expensive to replace if something happens to them. These plants can be especially vulnerable during rain or snowstorms when their roots are not as stable as usual. Luckily, there are different types of insurance that can protect you from the financial impact of tree loss due to these natural phenomena.
Root insurance protects your home from potential structural damages caused by tree roots and other soil problems. It’s a separate policy from standard homeowner’s insurance policies that cover damage to your house and its contents. While it may seem like an unnecessary expense, trust us — you don’t want to deal with the high costs of repairing or replacing your home after a root problem occurs. Here is everything you need to know about root insurance and how you can get yours today!
What Is Root Insurance?
Root insurance is a type of policy that covers the cost of repairing any damage to your home caused by tree roots. It is a separate policy from standard homeowner’s insurance policies, which cover damage to your house and its contents. Root insurance can also provide coverage if you need to remove a tree that is too close to your house or is otherwise a risk to your property. If you live in a region with lots of trees, you should probably consider purchasing such a policy. Some insurance companies will automatically add it to your homeowner’s policy or you can purchase it as a stand-alone policy. Root insurance provides coverage for a variety of different situations, including: – Tree roots growing into or onto your property and causing damage to your house. Root insurance will help you cover the cost of repairs, such as broken windows or broken siding caused by roots from nearby trees. It will also cover additional expenses such as hiring a contractor to remove the tree if removing it is necessary. – Tree roots growing into your sewer pipes or other utilities.
Tree roots can damage your pipes and disrupt the flow of water and sewage in your home. Root insurance will help cover the cost of repairs to your pipes. Root insurance may also cover digging up your yard to repair your pipes or replace damaged lines, if necessary. – Tree roots growing into your water pipes. Tree roots can grow into your water pipes and disrupt the flow of water in your home. Root insurance can help you cover the cost of repairs and a temporary water source in the meantime. Root insurance may also cover digging up your yard to repair your pipes or replace damaged lines, if necessary. – Tree roots growing into your power lines. Tree roots can grow into and damage your power lines. Root insurance will help you cover the cost of repairing damage to your power lines and getting your power restored. Root insurance may also cover digging up your yard to repair your power lines or replace damaged lines, if necessary. – Tree roots growing into your septic tank. Tree roots can grow into and damage your septic system, which can cause all sorts of problems. Root insurance will help you cover the cost of repairs and getting a new septic tank. Root insurance may also cover digging up your yard to repair your septic system or replace damaged lines, if necessary.
When Can You Use Root Insurance?
Root problems are not always avoidable, but they can be mitigated. Here are some of the best ways to protect your house from tree roots: – Keep trees at least 10 feet away from your home. This distance is recommended by most authorities on tree care. Depending on the type of trees around your home, this gives you enough room to maintain the health of the trees and keep their roots from growing into your house. – Keep your gutters and downspouts clear of debris. Tree roots are opportunistic and will often use debris in your gutters as an easy entry point into your house. Keeping your gutters clear of leaves and other debris will help reduce the risk of damage from tree roots. – Maintain healthy trees. Good tree care practices, such as watering trees during droughts, fertilizing trees in the fall, and pruning properly can help keep your trees healthy and reduce the risk of root damage.
Who Should Buy Root Insurance?
Anyone who lives in a region with lots of trees, has recently purchased a home, or has trees on their property. Root problems can happen at any time, but they are especially common during the first few years after a tree is planted. It’s also common for trees to move around during particularly wet years. Root insurance is a good idea if you’re worried about how much it would cost to repair or replace damage caused by tree roots to your home. It’s important to note that you may not be able to get root insurance if you have had issues with your trees in the past. Root insurance is often available as a stand-alone policy or as an add-on to your homeowner’s insurance policy. If you already have homeowner’s insurance, you may be able to add root insurance without paying a higher rate.
How Much Does Root Insurance Cost?
Root insurance policies vary based on several factors, including the type of coverage you choose, your location, and your homeowner’s insurance provider. Overall, root insurance policies are not very expensive — some even offer coverage for less than $100 per year. Root insurance may be more expensive if you have a history of tree problems or live in an area with particularly problematic trees. Keep in mind that root insurance is separate from homeowner’s insurance and will not increase the rate you pay for your homeowner’s policy.
Is There a Better Alternative to Root Insurance?
While root insurance can be a great way to protect your house from tree root damage, there are some other ways to mitigate the risk as well. In addition to the tips we mentioned above, here are some other ways you can protect your house from tree roots: Root Cutting – Some trees are naturally aggressive and can grow roots that extend several feet away from the trunk. These roots can cause a lot of damage to your home if they get too close. In some cases, you may be able to hire a professional to cut back some of the roots to protect your house. Root Removal – If you already have a tree that is growing too close to your house, you can hire a professional to dig up or remove the entire tree. This may be an easy way to solve a root problem before it gets so bad that you need to pay for expensive repairs.
