Your house, car and power lines can get effected as a result of fallen tress which is a stressful situation — whether it is because of heavy rainfall or storm. It may also cause severe safety risks to your family and neighbors in other situations.
In case a tree falls on your property, you should remain calm and do the appropriate things. This is because acting fast, safely, will assist in avoiding additional damages, save lives, and simplify the process of recovery. The following are most important activities that should be performed once a tree falls in your land besides calling a professional like TreeTime Tree Service.
The Safety of the People Comes First:
The initial agenda is safety. Self-examine, examine members of your family, and surrounding people in case of injury. In case a person is injured, then call an ambulance.
Keep off the fallen tree till you are sure that the place is clear. After falling, trees may be unstable, and large branches may change their positions. When the tree has spoiled a structure, access to the area should not be attempted until the specialists give a clearance. Always keep children and pets away from the area because even if the situation looks stable enough, there could be possibility of hidden dangers.
Beware Of Power Lines That Have Fallen Down:
The risk of coming in contact with an electric wire is among the greatest risks when a tree has fallen. Avoid going near the area if trees seems to be fallen on power lines or if the wires are touching the ground. Avoid from touching the tree, wires or any other thing that is in direct contact with them. Electricity has the ability to pass through branches, fences and even the wet soil.
Call and inform your local power company about the problem. When there is an emergency, immediately call the ambulance and also ensure that damaged power lines are dealt by only utility workers who are trained.
Examine the Damage at a Distance:
Inspect the area for any kind of damage when it has been secured enough. Look around the area where the tree has fallen to determine how much damage your house, garage and vehicles have suffered from it. Also keep eyes on the broken windows, roof and structural problems.
Do not climb the tree or push aside big branches. It is essential to note that even seasoned property owners may not be able to guess the weight and tension of fallen trees. Simple examination will aid you in knowing how much the damage is and in planning the insurance claims.
Document Everything:
Always record clear photos and videos of the fallen tree, and all the damage areas before it has been cleaned. Shoot at various angles and distances. Document all the damage that has been done to structure, vehicles and outdoor equipment while also get close up shots of any obvious cracks, holes or broken items.
Such records may prove useful in making an insurance claim. With the help of proper record keeping, one would be able to determine the severity of the damage and will also be able to speedily process claim making. In the documentation, also record the date, time, weather conditions and anything you followed right after the incident.
Contact Your Insurance Company:
Bring to the notice of your insurance company. Insurance policies of many homeowners provide protection against damages brought about by fallen trees particularly when the tree causes damages in an insured property.
Provide the photos and the documentation you have taken and explain what has happened. Inquire about further actions, claim conditions, and any emergency works that can be covered prior to the completion of the claim. Your insurance agent will take you through and explain to you what is possibly covered under expenses. Store the copies of all communications, receipts, and repair estimates of the incident.