If a tree falls on your house in Peoria, IL, call 911 first if anyone is hurt or gas or wires are involved. Then call your insurance company and a licensed tree removal company. Take photos before anything moves. Most tree damage claims are covered if the tree was healthy.
I’ve been running a tree crew around Peoria for 17 years. I’ve stood in yards near Glen Oak Park and driveways off Knoxville Avenue while a family stared at a maple sitting on their roof. The good news: most of these situations are fixable, and most homeowners insurance helps pay for it. The key is doing things in the right order.
Step 1: Check for Danger Before You Do Anything Else
Before you touch a branch or grab your phone for photos, look for these three things:
- Downed power lines. If any wire is touching the tree, the house, or the ground nearby, stay back and call Ameren Illinois right away.
- Gas smell. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas provider from outside.
- Structural danger. If the tree is on the roof and you can see daylight through a ceiling, don’t go into that room.
If anyone is hurt, or if you’re not sure the situation is safe, call 911 first. Central Illinois storms move fast, and a tree that looks steady can still shift or drop more limbs.
Step 2: Call a Licensed Tree Removal Company
Once everyone is safe, your next call should be to a tree company, not a general contractor. Emergency tree work is different from remodeling. A crew that removes storm-damaged trees knows how to take weight off a roof safely, in sections, without causing more damage.
This is where emergency tree removal comes in. A trained crew will assess how the tree is resting on the structure, plan a safe cutting order, and remove it piece by piece using ropes, not just drop it further onto the house.
Ask two questions before anyone touches the tree:
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Can you provide a certificate of insurance?
A company without insurance can leave you covering damage or injury costs yourself. We’re a fully licensed, insured company, and a TCIA Accredited Tree Care Company, which means our safety practices have been audited.
Step 3: Call Your Homeowners Insurance
Call your insurance company the same day, if you can. Most policies pay to remove a fallen tree and repair the damage it caused, especially if the tree was healthy before the storm. Coverage gets murkier if the tree was already dead, leaning, or known to be a problem before it fell.
When you call, have this ready:
- Your policy number
- Photos of the damage
- The date and rough time of the storm
- Whether the tree was yours or a neighbor’s
Your insurer may send an adjuster out, or ask for a written estimate first. Either way, don’t let anyone remove the tree until you’ve taken photos, unless it’s blocking an exit or actively causing more damage.
Does Insurance Cover a Tree That Fell on My House?
Most standard homeowners policies cover tree removal and repair when the tree damages a covered structure like your house, garage, or fence, as long as the tree wasn’t already dead or hazardous and ignored. If the tree simply fell in the yard and hit nothing, insurance usually won’t pay to remove it.
If a neighbor’s tree falls on your house, your own insurance typically pays first, then may seek reimbursement from the neighbor’s insurer if their tree was clearly unhealthy and neglected. For anything specific to your policy, the Insurance Information Institute has a clear breakdown of how tree damage claims usually work.
Step 4: Take Photos Before Anything Is Moved
Insurance adjusters want to see the damage as it happened, not after cleanup. Walk around the house and take photos and a short video from a few angles:
- The tree resting on the structure
- Any broken shingles, siding, gutters, or windows
- The base of the tree, showing whether roots pulled up or the trunk snapped
- Wide shots showing the whole yard and house
Do this before the tree crew arrives if it’s safe to do so. It’s one extra step that can save weeks of back-and-forth with your insurer later.
Step 5: Understand Who Is Responsible
In Illinois, responsibility usually comes down to whose tree it was and whether it was healthy. If your own tree fell on your own house, your policy covers it under your own coverage. If a neighbor’s tree fell on your house, most of the time your own insurance still pays first, since that’s simpler and faster than fighting over blame.
If the neighbor knew their tree was dead or rotting and did nothing, their insurer may end up covering the cost instead, but that usually gets settled between insurance companies, not between neighbors. Keep the conversation with your neighbor friendly. You’ll likely need their cooperation for access anyway.
What Happens During Storm-Damage Tree Removal?
Here’s what a typical job looks like once our crew arrives:
- Assessment. We check how the tree is resting on the roof, whether it’s still under tension, and what order to cut it in.
- Weight removal. We cut and lower branches first to take pressure off the roof, working from the outside in.
- Trunk removal. Once the canopy is clear, we cut and lower the trunk in sections.
- Debris hauling. We haul the wood and chips offsite, unless you want to keep firewood.
- Stump. If you want the stump gone too, stump grinding and removal can usually happen the same visit or shortly after.
Roof repairs and structural fixes are a separate job for a roofer or contractor, done after the tree is off.
How Much Does Emergency Tree Removal Cost After a Storm?
Emergency tree removal in Peoria typically runs $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the tree’s size and how it’s resting on the house. Storm work costs more than routine removal because crews respond fast, often after hours, and take extra care working around a damaged structure. For a fuller price breakdown by tree size, see our guide on tree removal costs in Peoria, IL.
If your insurance is covering the job, ask the tree company for a written, itemized invoice. Your adjuster will want it.
Storms That Cause This in Central Illinois
Peoria and the surrounding area, including East Peoria, Peoria Heights, and Bartonville, see a mix of spring thunderstorms, summer straight-line winds, and the occasional ice storm. Any of these can bring down large limbs or whole trees, especially older silver maples and ash trees weakened by emerald ash borer. If a storm just came through your neighborhood and a tree came down, you’re far from the only one calling.
When the Tree Missed the House But Is Still a Problem
Sometimes a tree falls in the yard, misses the house, but blocks a driveway or leans on a fence. This usually isn’t a true emergency, but it’s still worth getting removed quickly, especially if it’s leaning on anything else or blocking your only way out. In that case, a standard tree removal appointment, rather than an emergency callout, can often save you money.
Quick Checklist: Tree Fell on My House
- Check for downed wires, gas smell, or structural danger
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt or it’s unsafe
- Call a licensed, insured tree removal company
- Call your homeowners insurance the same day
- Take photos and video before cleanup starts
- Get a written, itemized invoice for your insurer
- Ask about stump removal while the crew is already there
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call first if a tree falls on my house?
Call 911 if anyone is hurt or it’s unsafe. Otherwise, call a licensed tree removal company and your insurance provider, in that order.
Does homeowners insurance cover a tree falling on your house?
Usually, yes, if the tree was healthy and the damage is to a covered structure. Coverage can be denied if the tree was known to be dead or hazardous beforehand.
Who pays if my neighbor’s tree falls on my house?
Your own insurance typically pays first. It may later seek reimbursement from your neighbor’s insurer if their tree was clearly neglected.
How much does it cost to remove a tree that fell on a house?
Emergency removal after a storm usually costs $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on size and how the tree is resting on the structure.
Should I move the tree myself?
No. Don’t attempt to move or cut a tree resting on your house. It can be under tension and shift suddenly. Leave it to a trained crew.
Get Emergency Help Now
If a tree just fell on your house in Peoria, East Peoria, Pekin, Morton, Washington, Bartonville, Peoria Heights, or Chillicothe, contact Peoria Tree Removal Co. or call 309-250-8333. We’re licensed, insured, and available for storm emergencies. You can also see our full range of tree services or check whether trimming, not full removal, is the right call from one of our certified arborists.
Peoria Tree Removal Co.
(309) 250-8333
info@treeremovalpeoriail.com
https://treeremovalpeoriail.com/
114 W Forrest Hill Ave, Peoria, IL 61604, USA
Tree Service Company
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