Facts About Landscaping and Insurance Coverage

Landscaping is an investment in your home's appearance that increases its value, curb appeal, and your enjoyment of your property.  Homeowners insurance covers some aspects of this investment but not others, although you may be able to purchase additional coverage. 

What landscaping is covered by standard homeowners policies? Your basic policy may offer protection for trees, shrubs, and plants against specific problems such as fire, lightning, explosion, vandalism, riot, theft, or damage caused by someone else's vehicle.

How much does homeowners insurance cover for landscaping? Policies usually have limits on how much landscaping coverage is available, for example they may limit coverage for landscaping to a percentage of the dwelling protection and each particular tree or shrub may have a limit.

Is my landscaping covered in a hurricane? Damage to the plants themselves caused by weather disasters is typically not covered, but if falling trees damage your home or other structures on your property, repair to those buildings would be covered by your homeowners.

Damage to your landscaping caused by insects, pests, or diseases is not covered by homeowners insurance, which is why your investment in landscape design is best served by hiring a landscaper so these factors do not become an issue.

You will most likely pay a deductible before any coverage begins for damage to your landscaping, home, or structures.  One of the most important things to keep in mind is if someone else's tree falls on your home, your homeowners insurance will be the one to cover this damage.

If you are found negligible for not taking care of a rotting tree on your property that falls, your structures may not be covered by your homeowners insurance.  Have a professional arborist observe the health of the trees for you.   

We recommend that if you are concerned about coverage for your landscaping, you contact your homeowners insurance agent.  Inquire about additional coverage because some insurers offer options that could help provide additional protection for your valuable landscaping.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Hurricane Preparedness Includes Your Landscaping

Hurricane season is right around the corner, and this year it begins June 1st.  This week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week and we have several tips to get your landscaping and the area around your home ready in case of major storm.  Keep in mind that you can contact a landscaper regarding hurricane readiness and safety of your landscaping, and services cover many of the suggestions below.

1) Make sure if you have a shed, greenhouse, or other outbuildings that the doors and windows are secure and will not detach in heavy winds.

2) Prune your trees so that large branches are not hanging over your home or car, and away from power lines.  Do not engage in the inappropriately named "hurricane cut", which removes most of the fronds and can severely damage, or even kill, your trees.  Instead trees should be pruned to provide for air flow, which inhibits uprooting.  If a tree is obviously unhealthy and therefore weak, it should be removed.

3) Consider planting trees that are more likely to withstand heavy winds in the first place.  Native growing trees such as the live oak in Florida are standing all these years because they are strong, hard, resistant to winds, and their roots grow deep.

4) Clear your gutters and downspouts and ensure they are firmly attached and that your drainage system is fully functioning.

5) Be ready to stake tall plants in case of a storm, and if a storm is on its way you should be ready to harvest vegetables or flowers beforehand as those fragile plantings will most likely be damaged anyway.

6) Take inventory of all your lawn ornaments, outdoor furniture, potted plants, grills, flags, awnings, and other loose items around the home.  These can become flying projectiles in strong winds and should be stored when a storm is imminent.

7) Consider replacing your gravel beds with softer wood mulch.  Small stones can be hazardous if they become airborne in extreme weather conditions.

8) If you live close to the beach and the possibility of flooding is high, keep in mind that salt tolerant plants and trees are most likely going to be the few survivors of a major storm. When saltwater creeps up higher than usual on the coastline and blows its spray through the air, salt tolerance is severely tested.

Stay safe!  Hurricane season ends November 30th.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚