Can Tree Roots Affect My Home Insurance?

Many homeowners often overlook the impact trees surrounding their property can have on their home insurance, with tree root damage being particularly problematic. Whether you are searching for new home insurance cover or have been left wondering whether your tree roots affect your existing policy, this article outlines the main things to consider.

Can Tree Roots Affect My Home Insurance?

Typically, any damage to houses which has been caused by falling branches or trees is covered by home insurance policies – it’s worth reviewing the wording of your existing or potentially new cover for any exclusions to this.

However, the tree roots growing underground can cause issues to crop up as they can lead to more serious structural problems, such as subsidence.

When comparing home insurance, you will most likely be asked whether your property has ever suffered from subsidence or tree root damage. Failure to answer this question honestly can invalidate the insurance. Some insurers will also ask the distance at which the trees are located from your home – an insurer’s stance on this can vary from one company to another, so make sure you check the Ts & Cs of their policy.

What Is Tree Root Damage?

As the name suggests, this is damage inflicted on the foundations or external walls of a property by the roots of a tree or shrub pushing through or against it. In turn, this means that tree roots planted in close proximity to a property can increase the chances of subsidence occurring.

What Is Subsidence?

By definition, this is the ‘gradual caving in or sinking of an area of land’. Tree roots can be a contributing factor to this problem, as they can cause a property’s foundations to become unstable.

In particular, tree roots tend to thrive in areas where water is available, making drains a hotspot for the roots to grow. This can create blockages inside the pipes causing them to leak and redirecting water into unwanted areas, such as under your house.

What Insurance Cover Options Are Available for Tree Root Damage?

If your property is damaged by tree roots, your home insurance policy should provide you with the necessary cover in the event that you need to make a claim. It’s also worth noting that:

most home insurance policies offer subsidence cover as standard
an insurer shouldn’t ask you to remove a tree unless they believe it will cause damage
if they advise you to remove a tree as a precaution and you refuse to do so, you may be held accountable for the cost of any future damage

Generally speaking, tree roots and shrubs shouldn’t be planted too close to a property – it’s advised that they are planted at a distance which equates to their expected full height away from the house.

If you find yourself in need of root or tree removal, you must enlist the help of a professional arborist – such as Artemis Tree Services – to ensure the work is carried out safely and efficiently. Simply contact our expert team today to find out how your property can benefit from our services.

5 rating based on

622 reviews

Excellent

Mark

What a find, a totally professional experience from start to finish. The level of service is second to none. The survey outlined what would be required, advised on any contact for consent from neighbo... What a find, a totally professional experience from start to finish. The level of service is second to none. The survey outlined what would be required, advised on any contact for consent from neighbours if required and what the short and long term expectations would be. The team that undertook the extreme pruning of fir trees on the boundary of my property were polite, engaging, professional and made sure I was happy with the end result. Never having had to engage a tree services before I had no idea of pricing and was more than surprised at the value for money. Meticulously clearing up afterwards and removing all debris the same day. Plus points, everything, negative points, none. I would most highly recommend.

2 days ago

Roland

This is the first time i have used any Tree service , and Artemis were totally brilliant . I needed some fir trees trimmed back as they were overgrowing the border fence . From the very first contact ... This is the first time i have used any Tree service , and Artemis were totally brilliant . I needed some fir trees trimmed back as they were overgrowing the border fence . From the very first contact right through to the completion of works their whole team were always prompt and on time , professional , knowledgeable and efficient . There was regular communication and reminders leading up to the booked appointment . During the initial survey and appointment everything was explained and my inquisitive questions engaged and answered. They completed the work and cleared up everything . Great service and would definitely use them again .

2 weeks ago

Anonymous

Top service from start to finish. Surveyor came round to check the job and give thoughts. Set up was thorough as we needed to get permits, keys for a shared gate and the ok from neighbours. Two guys t... Top service from start to finish. Surveyor came round to check the job and give thoughts. Set up was thorough as we needed to get permits, keys for a shared gate and the ok from neighbours. Two guys that did the work were friendly, organised and probably left the garden looking tidier than when they started. Thoroughly recommended.

1 month ago

Matt O'Neill

Very easy to deal with at both office & on-site. Good process flow from quoting through to invoice. Safe, professional & considerate staff when on-site too.... Very easy to deal with at both office & on-site. Good process flow from quoting through to invoice. Safe, professional & considerate staff when on-site too.

2 months ago

David

Very pleasant staff. Punctual and efficient. Carried out good job, communicated very well with neighbour, and cleaned up well. A fair price as well....

Doug

As a direct neighbour to tree felling and garden clearance work being carried out by Artemis yesterday in by Harrow, I can’t speak highly enough of their skill, hard work, considered approach and cour... As a direct neighbour to tree felling and garden clearance work being carried out by Artemis yesterday in by Harrow, I can’t speak highly enough of their skill, hard work, considered approach and courtesy. A great team who I would not hesitate to use myself.

3 months ago

Paul

I thought the Artemis team were absolutely brilliant. From coming to quote , prompt , and cutting back 2 oak trees they did a highly Professional and excellent job.... I thought the Artemis team were absolutely brilliant. From coming to quote , prompt , and cutting back 2 oak trees they did a highly Professional and excellent job.

Jill, Pinner

Efficient, thorough. Listened to what we wanted and carried out expertly. All v neat and tidy. Good job all round....

J M

Thank you Artemis for your excellent tree surgery work as part of ongoing maintenance over many years. The garden poses problems, but as ever the team were cheerful, efficient and everything was carri... Thank you Artemis for your excellent tree surgery work as part of ongoing maintenance over many years. The garden poses problems, but as ever the team were cheerful, efficient and everything was carried out exactly as planned. I shall continue to recommend Artemis.

4 months ago

Green hill housing

we have had work done with them and they do a wonderful job, from start to finish everything was perfect again, not a leaf leaf left behind, workmen were polite and professional.... we have had work done with them and they do a wonderful job, from start to finish everything was perfect again, not a leaf leaf left behind, workmen were polite and professional.

Jan

Artemis took down two lime trees who's roots had damaged the garage floor and were an inch away from the foundations of the house . The trees were in a very awkward place to get to but this didn't see... Artemis took down two lime trees who's roots had damaged the garage floor and were an inch away from the foundations of the house . The trees were in a very awkward place to get to but this didn't seem to trouble this highly competent team. The team were extremely well equipped , and they worked together like a well oiled machine. We were delighted with their work, tidiness and very pleasant manner. And it was at a fair price.

David Pooley

Excellent value, great work on a terrible day...good lads!...

5 months ago

Diana Stuckey

Excellent service with experienced people who did an excellent job of pruning my tree. Would definitely use them again....

Jonathan

Martin and Luke arrived on time They were polite and did the job to my total satisfaction and cleared up Took the time they said it would when they arrived Well done!... Martin and Luke arrived on time They were polite and did the job to my total satisfaction and cleared up Took the time they said it would when they arrived Well done!

Phil

Very professional job. The man in charge was excellent. Did the job exactly as we wanted it. Would highly recommend....

6 months ago

I have used Artemis a number of times and always feel confident that they offer an excellent service all the way through from the first visit to the final clearing up. They are knowledgeable, profess... I have used Artemis a number of times and always feel confident that they offer an excellent service all the way through from the first visit to the final clearing up. They are knowledgeable, professional and friendly. They do great job and I would highly recommend.

7 months ago

Friendly staff. Work carried out efficiently. Left the area clean and tidy. Would definitely recommend Artemis....

Chris

Artemis are very efficient, knowledgeable, professional and easy to deal with....

This was the first time we have used Artemis, and the whole process from initial enquiry through to completion was very easy. We would definitely recommend their services, and will be using them again... This was the first time we have used Artemis, and the whole process from initial enquiry through to completion was very easy. We would definitely recommend their services, and will be using them again I'm sure.

8 months ago

Natasha

Fantastic service from your team at Artemis. We needed a tree in our garden heavily crowned, having let it grow far too tall. We couldn’t be happier with the work done; the team were so professional, ... Fantastic service from your team at Artemis. We needed a tree in our garden heavily crowned, having let it grow far too tall. We couldn’t be happier with the work done; the team were so professional, really lovely and left our garden tidier than it was before they arrived. We won’t hesitate to recommend Artemis to anyone needing tree work done

Excellent service from first quote to final job. Very good communications and reminders so I knew exactly when they were arriving. Polite and hard working team who cleared up perfectly. Would definite... Excellent service from first quote to final job. Very good communications and reminders so I knew exactly when they were arriving. Polite and hard working team who cleared up perfectly. Would definitely recommend.