If a tree falls on your car during a Sacramento storm, who is responsible for damages?

There’s almost no escape from trees in this city.

And as Sacramento faces yet another round of storms, bringing high winds and rain to the region, many residents are faced with major damage caused by downed trees and branches.

Parking under a tree — especially in midtown — is inevitable unless you’re one of the lucky few with a garage or carport. Whether or not that tree falls during a storm is a gamble.

If it does, the question is: What do you do and who covers the damages?

What to do if a tree falls on your car in Sacramento

Here are a few steps you should take:

1. Assess safety and damage. If you’re in danger or someone is hurt, call 9-1-1.
2. If the tree is blocking a roadway, call 3-1-1, the city and county advise. Check whether the tree or a branch is touching a power line. Call SMUD if it’s touching a live wire, as this is dangerous.
3. If everyone is safe, take photos so you can be properly compensated for damages when filing an insurance claim, according to QuoteWizard, an online insurance resource.
4. Review your insurance policy and assess the damage to your vehicle.

Will insurance pay for fallen-tree damage on my car?

If your policy includes comprehensive coverage, you may be covered.

This usually covers policy holders on incidents that are out of their control. According to the California Department of Insurance, comprehensive coverage “pays for damage to your car caused by something other than a collision, such as fire, theft, vandalism, windstorm, flood” and “falling objects.”

You’ll want to make sure this is included in your plan.

Comprehensive coverage requires a deductible fee to move forward with a claim. Deductibles are typically around $500, but can be more or less, depending on what you picked when you selected your policy.

To file a claim, you’ll need to call your insurance provider or go online.

What if my neighbor’s tree or a city tree falls on my car?

California law honors premise liability.

If you can prove your neighbor or a public entity neglected a tree that fell on your property, they may be responsible for the damages. Otherwise: It’s likely your coverage will take the hit.

On the city website, Sacramento acknowledges the “impact a series of storms can have” and encourages residents to report issues to 3-1-1 if the tree is on public property.

“With strong winds and saturated soil, trees may be vulnerable due to a loss of anchorage. Any ‘heaving’ of soil around the base of a tree should be taken seriously,” the city stated on its FAQ page.

If the tree is publicly owned by the city or county, you can file a claim with the government for damages. Sacramento County provides a form on its website, and you must file within six months of the incident. Claim forms for the city can also be found online.

In regards to recent Sacramento storms, Elizabeth Zelidon, a spokeswoman for the county, said:

“It is important to note that we are facing case by case incidents as the fallen trees have been a mix of privately owned trees and County owned. We are asking the public to report ALL fallen trees that are blocking the roadways through the 3-1-1 app or by calling 3-1-1. We are also asking individuals to file a claim with their individual car insurances.”

If the tree falls on private property, cleanup is your responsibility.

This story was originally published January 10, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "If a tree falls on your car during a Sacramento storm, who is responsible for damages?."