Professional assessment and documentation of tree damage to roofs, with insurance claim coordination.
Fastest: call (833) 751-2102. Or send this and we call you back.
Gloucester Roofing connects you with a local roofer who can assess tree damage, document it for insurance, and handle the repair. We answer 24/7 at (833) 751-2102. Call right away if a tree has landed on your roof.
A tree falls on your roof during a storm or high wind, or a limb breaks and crashes through the shingles. The impact is sudden and dramatic: shingles crushed, decking splintered, maybe framing exposed. Unlike wear that happens over years, tree damage happens in seconds.
Insurance covers fallen-tree damage as part of standard homeowners coverage in most policies, because the tree is external and the damage is sudden. What matters is getting it documented quickly: a roofer can photograph the damage pattern and explain to an insurance adjuster exactly what the tree did.
The roof damage is the immediate concern, but the tree itself creates secondary damage. Branches on the roof are sharp and unstable. Decking exposed to weather will rot fast if not covered. A roofer who understands tree damage will clear the debris, assess structural integrity, and get a tarp on the damage before water gets inside.
Do not attempt to remove a tree from your roof yourself. It is heavy, unstable, and potentially dangerous. A professional tree service or roofer should handle the removal. Call (833) 751-2102 and we will advise on the safest approach.
Tree damage repair is covered by homeowners insurance. You pay your standard deductible (often $500 or $1,000), and insurance covers the rest. Tree removal is usually a separate cost that may be covered by your policy or the neighbor's depending on which property the tree came from.
| Job | Typical range | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Shingle and gutter replacement | Covered by insurance, less deductible | The damaged area is repaired with materials matching the existing roof |
| Decking replacement | Itemized in the repair estimate | Wood damaged or exposed by the impact is replaced with pressure-treated lumber |
| Structural repair if required | Determined by inspection | Cracked framing or major structural impact may require engineer review |
| Tree removal | Often a separate cost | Ask insurance whether tree removal is covered and who pays; it may be the responsible party's tree service |
| Tarping during assessment period | Emergency mitigation, covered by insurance | A tarp protects the interior while structural and insurance questions are resolved |
Insurance covers the damage to the roof caused by the tree. You pay the deductible. Ask your roofer to itemize the tree-removal cost separately so you and insurance can determine who is responsible for that bill.
A small branch breaks through, crushing shingles and denting the gutter. The underlying decking may not be damaged. Repair is straightforward: clear the debris, replace shingles and the gutter section, and check for rot.
A heavier branch lands hard and splinters the decking underneath. Structural framing may be cracked. This requires decking replacement and structural inspection to ensure the roof's ability to bear load is not compromised.
A whole tree or large upper section lands on the roof, causing widespread crushing and depression. Structural members may be cracked, the roof may be sagging, and decking will need replacement. This is a major repair or replacement situation.
Call any hour and explain what is going on. You get a clear price before any work starts.
Yes. Most homeowners policies cover sudden damage from falling trees and branches as part of standard coverage. You pay the deductible, and insurance pays the roof repair. Tree removal is separate and may or may not be covered depending on your policy and which property the tree came from.
If the tree fell from your property, your insurance covers the roof damage but may not cover tree removal. If it fell from a neighbor's property, their insurance may be responsible for both tree removal and roof damage, but that is a claim between the insurance companies.
Ask your insurance agent what your policy covers and get clarity on tree removal cost before the work starts.
The liability depends on whether the neighbor was negligent (failed to maintain the tree or ignored known hazards) or whether it was simply a natural event. Most homeowners policies cover tree damage regardless of where it came from, less your deductible. The dispute about fault is between insurance companies afterward.
File a claim with your own insurance immediately. Let them pursue the neighbor's insurance if they believe negligence is involved.
Do not delay roof repair while determining fault. Get the damage covered with a tarp and the repair planned. Your insurance company will handle the claims negotiation.
No. The tree on the roof is part of the damage assessment. Let the roofer see it in place. The roofer can photograph the damage pattern, determine whether structural removal is needed, and help you understand what cleanup costs should be part of the claim.
Once the roofer has documented the damage, the tree can be removed by a tree service. Do not move it yourself or call a tree service before the roofer assesses.
If the tree is blocking a door or creating an immediate safety hazard, you can ask a tree service for emergency limb removal, but the main trunk should stay until the roofer has documented the damage.
It depends on the tree size, the height it fell from, and the slope and age of the roof. A small branch may crush shingles only. A large tree limb can splinter decking and crack framing. The roofer will inspect the attic side of the roof to assess structural impact.
If cracking is visible in framing members, a structural engineer may need to review the roof before repairs are started. This is uncommon for minor impacts but important for large trees or impacts on load-bearing walls.
Ask the roofer to check the attic for signs of structural stress: cracked wood, shifted framing, or separation of boards. If found, the repair scope expands and may require engineer approval.
Exposed wood starts deteriorating within days if wet. A decking area exposed by the impact will soften and rot if it stays open through multiple rainstorms. A tarp can cover the damage immediately, but permanent repair should be scheduled within a week or two.
If the damage is in winter and dry weather is forecast, a temporary tarp might hold for a longer time. If it is spring or summer and rain is common, the pressure to repair is higher.
Ask the roofer how urgent the repair is and whether delaying for a few weeks will cause additional rot.
When a tree lands on your roof, call (833) 751-2102. Do not climb onto the roof or attempt to move the tree, especially if it is leaning. A roofer can assess the situation and determine what needs to be cleared and what can stay temporarily.
The roofer photographs the tree placement, the crushed shingles, any splintered decking, and the general impact area. This documentation shows the damage pattern that insurance will use to approve the claim.
The tree removal is usually separate from the roof repair. If the tree fell from your property, you may pay for removal. If it fell from a neighbor's property, their homeowners insurance may pay. The roofer can advise on what to ask your insurance about.
The roofer checks whether the impact has compromised roof structure or decking integrity. If so, a tarp is deployed to prevent water damage while structural work is planned. If the damage is superficial, repair can proceed.
The roofer prepares a damage estimate that describes what the tree did: shingles crushed over how many square feet, decking impacted and requiring replacement, structural damage if any. This estimate is sent to insurance for claim approval.
Fallen-tree calls on the Middle Peninsula spike after nor'easters and tropical storms, when sustained wind or heavy rain-soaked soil can topple mature trees. The oak and pine stands around older neighborhoods contain trees over 50 years old, and height matters in terms of impact energy.
Gloucester's waterfront properties have mature trees near the shore, and salt-air exposure can weaken root systems and make trees more prone to falling. A tree that looks healthy may be compromised by root rot from salt water seeping into the soil during hurricanes or nor'easters.
Ice storms in winter can snap branches and cause them to fall onto roofs. The weight of ice and snow on a branch increases the risk of failure. If snow or ice is on the roof when the tree falls, clearance can be more difficult.
Not sure if you're covered? Check your ZIP code.
A strip to the deck and a complete new roof, arranged through one call to Gloucester Roofing and carried out by a local technician.
Professional repair and documentation of wind and storm damage to roofs, with insurance claim support.
Fast roof tarping service to cover damage and prevent interior water damage while permanent repairs are arranged.
Immediate roof leak repair and tarping service to stop water damage in your home, available day and night.
Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, with the climatological peak around 10 September and most activity from mid-August to mid-October.
Maybe. Some policies cover tree removal if the tree is blocking a home's entrance or utilities. But removal is often not covered. Ask your insurance agent whether tree removal is included in your policy before hiring a service.
Your homeowners insurance still covers the roof damage, less your deductible. Tree removal may not be covered by your policy. Ask your insurance company.
Your homeowners insurance covers the roof damage, less your deductible. File a claim with your own insurance. They will investigate whether the neighbor was negligent and pursue the neighbor's insurance for reimbursement if appropriate. You usually pay your deductible and wait.
Take photos and videos of the tree on the roof, the crushed shingles, and any exposed decking. A roofer's damage assessment with photos is more credible than yours. The roofer's report is what insurance will use to approve the claim.
Usually, yes. The roofer needs to access the damage. But the assessment can happen with the tree in place, and the roofer's documentation can be completed before removal.
Two to five days, depending on the extent of damage and whether structural repairs are needed. A simple shingle and gutter replacement might be one day. Decking replacement adds time.