How do you value a damaged tree for insurance purposes?

With a tree of that age, you're not looking at replacement value, the compensation owed to you will be for that tree's contribution to your total property. Your local arborist will be able to help you. Make sure they have some court experience if it goes to litigation. I've helped several clients recieve upwards of $10,000 in settlements, but two of them took 4-5 years to reach an agreement.

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RE How do you value a damaged tree for insurance purposes?

Long story short, a guy ran his car off the road into my front yard and hit a tree. The tree is a complete loss. He has insurance (thank god!). How much should I expect to receive from the insurance company for the value of the tree? The tree is a mature Blue Spruce. It was about 20-25 feet tall, had an 8-10 inch trunk, and a spread at the base of about 15 feet or so. I know that I should at least be entitled to the cost of removing the tree/debris and planting a new tree. But you can’t really plant a 25 foot Blue Spruce! So, the problem I am having is determining what value should I be entitled to considering the “maturity” of the tree? Who can I call to get an “appraisal”? Other info: I live in a subdivision of custom brick homes on a large lot (about 1 acre) and my home is worth about $275k. The tree sat on the edge of my property in the front yard in a group of two trees (the other one was slightly damaged also, but can probably be salvaged) that provide some shading from the neighbor and the road. Obviously, the amount of shading is now reduced and the aesthetics of the “group” of two trees is messed up to the point that I am considering just removing both trees.

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RE :How do you value a damaged tree for insurance purposes?

Long story short, a guy ran his car off the road into my front yard and hit a tree. The tree is a complete loss. He has insurance (thank god!). How much should I expect to receive from the insurance company for the value of the tree? The tree is a mature Blue Spruce. It was about 20-25 feet tall, had an 8-10 inch trunk, and a spread at the base of about 15 feet or so. I know that I should at least be entitled to the cost of removing the tree/debris and planting a new tree. But you can’t really plant a 25 foot Blue Spruce! So, the problem I am having is determining what value should I be entitled to considering the “maturity” of the tree? Who can I call to get an “appraisal”? Other info: I live in a subdivision of custom brick homes on a large lot (about 1 acre) and my home is worth about $275k. The tree sat on the edge of my property in the front yard in a group of two trees (the other one was slightly damaged also, but can probably be salvaged) that provide some shading from the neighbor and the road. Obviously, the amount of shading is now reduced and the aesthetics of the “group” of two trees is messed up to the point that I am considering just removing both trees.

Update: Joanne - the point is that I am trying to make sure that I receive the proper compensation from the insurance company. I was hoping to hear from someone who has experience valuing trees so that I can have at least a ball park figure to keep the insurance company "honest". After all, it is in their interest to pay me as little as possible.

1 following 12 answers

In the answers given heretofore, I read some common misconceptions about insurance. In answer to your question, the point of a settlement for a liability claim is to indemnify the claimant (you in this case). Indemnification means to put someone back like they were before the damage occured. Since you can't really be put back in the strictest sense of those words (you'd need a time machine to do that), the insurance company can only offer money. That money is to either pay for the cost to repair the damage or to replace the damaged item or to pay for the difference in value of the item. The adjuster will need all available information you can offer in order to come up with a fair settlement. In your specific case, I would look closely at the tree, the landscaping around it, if any, and the condition of the yard and house. Obviously, an owner with an immaculate house and a manicured lawn will have different damages than a claimant with a lawn rarely cut and a dilapidated house. Put another way, if putting you back to where you were before means restoring you to unkempt conditions then the scarring to the tree makes little difference. If your lawn qualifies for lawn of the month and a magazine layout, the scarring to the tree would be much more noticeable. You might question why this is relevant. Well, this is what comes of translating damages into dollar values. There may well be other factors to consider in your particular case in order to come up with a fair settlement. If you believe you really are owed the cost to replace this tree, counter the adjuster's offer with the value the arborist gave. This is a negotiation, afterall, and in any negotiation, a successful settlement is one that is fair to both parties. As to lawyers: The adjuster and the insurance company for which they work really aren't impressed with a letter with a fancy letterhead from a law firm. If you want to retain a lawyer, go for it. I doubt a lawyer would actually take the case (there's no money to be made here) but they might be more than happy to give you a little advice, point you in the right direction. As to your rights, they are protected by the law. The lawyer only operates within the law. The lawyer does not enforce the law. And what the law has to say about these matters is that if you have been damaged by a party who is insured, through no fault of your own, you are entitled to reasonable compensation for your damages by making a liability claim with that person's insurance company. As to complaints to your state's department of insurance: this is a valid option at your disposal. The DOI is supported by your tax dollars - why not use them? They will give you a complaint form to fill out then contact the insurance company, usually by mail. The insurance company, likely the adjuster's supervisor, will respond to the complaint in a letter to the DOI. However, the DOI's inquiry and the insurance company's response will not likely be about damages to your tree. Rather, it will be about the larger question of whether the insurance company conducted a fair investigation, contacted you within a reasonable time and made a reasonable offer to you to settle the claim. The insurance company does not truly "hate" to be made to respond to a complaint from the DOI. This is simply one of the checkpoints in the system. What's more troublesome than a complaint letter is the somewhat random audits from the DOI. They are not more troublesome because they are a cause for worry; rather, they represent extra work. But they are also a checkpoint in the system As to small claims court (another checkpoint provided by your tax dollars), you could file a small claims action for money owed but the magistrate is truly going to wonder why you are going through the court to obtain a judgement for damages when you have apparently already received an offer to settle. The court is there to give a "judgement" on whether or not the other party is negligent and whether or not you are entitled to damages. That judgement is not about the relative value of a tree or scarring. There exists such a great misconception among the general public regarding lawsuits, lawyers and insurance companies. Consider that insurance companies are large business entities who receive many, many, many claims every day. Consider that the adjuster is a professional who handles many claims every day. There simply is no conspiracy among adjusters to "screw people out their money" as is often thought. The adjuster's job is simply to evaluate coverage, liability and damages (in that order) and pay what is owed. No more, no less. It sounds like you have a made a good start on seeking and obtaining a fair settlement. Contact your adjuster, state your concerns, make a reasonable counter offer, and support that offer with the facts.

I got the same exact tree in my yard it is about 30ft tall.

You can have mine for free.

By the way the tree is worth about 150.00 to 200.00 and to cut it down would cost about 150.00.

Wow I'm glad I didn't hit your tree. That is why insurance bills are going up so high.People trying to get all then money can.

It was a dam tree.The person could have gotten very hurt.

I live in Pennsylvania and my state sells lots of trees.That is how I know how much it is worth.

By the way if you get a chainsaw or rent one just cut it down.Then call someone that sells mulch and they probably would come get it and grind it up for there mulch.

PS: I hope the person that hit the tree doesn't have Nationwide. My premium is high enough.

Contact a tree service company to see if they have an arborist on staff who can do appraisals. They can give you an written estimate of the value to provide to the insurance company.

DON'T TRUST THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO GET AN APPRAISAL! They will try to low-ball the value.

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An insurance agent is suppose to do this for you.

By the way, your personal feelings are never considered, only the cost of replacing the tree.

You'll need to call an arborist. If they can't provide a valuation, they can most likely direct you to the person or agency who can.