Generally speaking, if your property is damaged, you are responsible for the damages. It doesn’t matter if the tree or limb came from your property, your neighbor’s property or even municipal property.
Keep in mind that a windstorm isn’t anyone’s fault; it’s an act of nature. If a tree does damage your property during a windstorm, your policy will cover the damages. After all, that’s why you purchased a homeowners policy—to protect yourself against unforeseen losses like a tree damaging your house.
It might seem unfair that if it’s your neighbor’s tree that damages your home, you should have to pay. Fortunately for you, that standard applies both ways. If a storm rolls through and your tree falls and damages your neighbor’s house, his or her insurance is going to cover the damages.
To be proactive with this issue, we recommend communicating your concerns about the tree to your neighbor in writing, and send us a copy before any limbs fall or the whole tree comes down. That might seem very formal, but it is best to have this in writing in case the tree limb does fall and there is a question as to who is responsible. If it is found that your neighbor is at fault due to negligence, it could very well be their insurance that covers the damage.
Read more about property damage and how homeowner’s insurance generally applies.