What happens if a tree falls on your car in Sacramento? Here’s who pays for damage
If a tree branch falls on your car while you’re parked in a Sacramento neighborhood, who pays for the damage?
Is it the city financially responsible for tree-related repairs to your vehicle? What about your insurance company?
That’s what a Reddit user recently asked on the social media platform.
“Does anyone have any expertise with a (tree) falling on their car in midtown?” Reddit user Pitiful-Discount3844 wrote in a May 12 post, sharing a photo of a windshield smashed by a branch. “(I) filed a claim but (I’m) wondering if the city compensates people for car damage.”
Here’s what to know:
What happens if a tree falls on my car in Sacramento?
If a tree or branch lands on your vehicle in Sacramento, you should follow these steps, according to the city, Sacramento County officials and online insurance company Progressive:
- Assess the damage to your vehicle. If you’re in danger or someone is hurt, call 9-1-1. If the tree is blocking a roadway, call 3-1-1.
- Check whether the tree or branch is touching a power line. Call Sacramento Municipal Utility District or The Pacific Gas and Electric Company if it’s touching a live wire, as this is dangerous.
- Review your insurance policy.
- Take photos so you can be properly compensated for damages when filing an insurance claim.
Does my car insurance cover damage from fallen branches?
You may be covered for vehicle damage from fallen trees and branches if you have comprehensive coverage through your insurance provider, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
This usually covers policy holders on incidents that are out of their control or incidents often referred to as “acts of God.”
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,” according to the California Department of Insurance.
Comprehensive coverage requires a deductible fee to move forward with a claim.
If a tree or tree branch falls on your car, you can file a claim through your insurance company.
If you only have liability insurance — coverage for accidents — the damage probably isn’t covered, according to The Bee’s archives.
There is typically a $500 limit to have a tree removed from the damaged vehicle.
The fee only includes removal of the tree from your car, not from the property.
Why do trees drop their branches in the summer?
Trees can experience a natural phenomenon known as “summer branch drop” during hot, dry weather.
Summer branch drop, which typically occurs during summer drought periods, results in trees unexpectedly dropping their branches, according to researchers from the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources program.
Branch dropping is common in elm, oak, eucalyptus and ash trees, researchers said, noting that there aren’t any ways to prevent branches from falling.
What happens if a neighbor’s tree falls on my vehicle?
If a tree’s trunk is solely on your neighbor’s land, the tree belongs to them even if the roots grow into another property, according to the California Civil Code.
While California code prohibits you from cutting down your neighbor’s tree, you can cut or trim the parts of the tree that encroach on your property as long as you don’t do lasting damage or kill the tree itself.
When your neighbor’s branches and roots come onto your property and cause damage, California law states that the tree can be considered a nuisance.
If the property is damaged, you can seek compensation for the measure of damages.
How do I file a claim with the city or county for damages?
If you can prove your neighbor or a public entity neglected a tree that fell on your car or property, they may be responsible for the damages.
On its website, the city 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, The Bee previously reported.
“With strong winds and saturated soil, trees may be vulnerable due to a loss of anchorage,” the city said on its website. “Any ‘heaving’ of soil around the base of a tree should be taken seriously.”
If the tree is publicly owned by the city or county, you can file a claim with the government for damages.
You can file a claim online via the Sacramento County’s website. You must file within six months of the incident.
Claim forms for the city of Sacramento can also be found online.
How do I report a fallen branch or tree?
Call or email 3-1-1 and a call center agent will process your request.
You should provide the following information, according to the city of Sacramento’s website:
- Address
- Cross Street
- Telephone number (if you are the property owner or resident)
Who cleans up fallen trees in Sacramento?
If a tree or a large tree branch falls on your home, you’ll need to call a private tree company to remove the tree, a Sacramento County spokeswoman told The Bee in 2023.
This also applies to private streets. You’ll have to go through your insurance company to find out what damage will be covered.
The rules for the city of Sacramento are similar to those of the county.
If a tree or branch falls on private property within city limits, the owner is responsible for cleaning it up, The Bee previously reported.
This story was originally published May 27, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
