Does insurance cover downed trees in Canada?

In Canada, downed trees are a real risk, especially during our notorious summer storms and hail-driven summer squalls. For example, the Insurance Bureau of Canada reported that the May 2022 derecho that ripped through Ontario and Quebec caused about $875 million in insured damage. And tragically, falling trees were responsible for most of the 11 fatalities reported, according to Global News.

Nationwide, extreme weather events now drive annual insured losses well into the billions. In 2024 alone, Canada faced $8.5 billion in insured losses due to extreme weather events, almost tripling the previous year's total. Even more recently, Ontario and Quebec faced an ice storm in March 2025 that resulted in many downed trees and caused $342 million in insured damage.

That’s why insurance matters. Even just a single tree branch crashing through a windshield or roof can bring both emotional distress and steep repair bills. Luckily, many Canadian auto and home insurance policies do include coverage for storm-related damages, such as downed trees, as long as you have the right type of coverage. Here's how it works:

Does insurance cover a tree falling on your car or property?

In most cases, yes. If a tree falls on your car or home due to a storm or strong wind, your insurance will likely help cover the damage. But the type of coverage you need and the amount you're covered for depend on the policy and the situation. We’ll address each situation in turn below:

Tree falls on car

Let’s say a tree crashes onto your vehicle during a windstorm. If you have comprehensive car insurance, you’re probably covered. Comprehensive coverage typically protects against non-collision-related damage, including falling objects like trees, branches, or debris caused by severe weather. That includes windstorms, lightning strikes, hail damage, heavy snow, or ice buildup.

In many cases, your policy will help cover the cost of repairs or even replacement if your car is badly damaged, up to your coverage limit. It may also include towing, depending on your policy. Just keep in mind that you will have to pay a car insurance deductible for insurance to cover the repairs. So, depending on your deductible amount, it may not be worth filing a claim if your car only received minor damage.

Tree falls on house

Let's say that same tree falls onto your home. The damage would typically be covered under your home insurance policy’s personal property coverage, which includes both dwelling and contents coverage, as long as the cause of the tree falling is an insured peril. It would then cover the cost to repair your roof, siding, and windows, as well as the contents inside the home if they're affected, up to your coverage limit.

If the damage is severe enough to force you to temporarily move out, your additional living expenses (ALE) coverage could also help pay for things like hotel stays or additional expenses for meals while repairs are underway.

What if the fallen tree didn't cause any damage?

If a tree falls on your property but doesn’t actually hit anything (e.g., no broken roof, no dented car), your homeowners' insurance usually won’t step in to cover cleanup costs. This is your responsibility as the homeowner. This includes large branches as well as dead trees. That’s because most policies only cover tree debris removal when there’s direct, sudden and accidental property damage. Which means it also doesn't cover preventative tree removal costs.

However, there are exceptions. Some insurance providers may help cover the cost if the fallen tree is a safety hazard and creates additional risks. Just keep in mind that you may have to pay a home insurance deductible for insurance to cover tree removal, so it may not be worth it, depending on how much the tree's removal costs. Check the fine print of your policy or call your insurance provider to see what situations might qualify.

Who is responsible when a tree falls on your car or house?

When a tree falls and causes damage, the first question many people ask is: Who’s responsible? The answer often depends on whose tree it was, what caused it to fall, and whether there was any negligence involved. We will discuss each situation below:

Your own tree falls on your property

If your own tree falls on your car or house due to a storm, you’re generally responsible for the damage. The good news is that if you have comprehensive auto insurance and standard home insurance, your policy will likely cover the costs, regardless of fault.

Your neighbour's tree falls on your property

Now, if it’s a neighbour’s tree that crashes onto your house or car, your insurance company will likely still cover the damage under your policy, unless you can prove your neighbour was negligent.

For example, if you had previously reported to them that their tree was diseased or leaning dangerously and they failed to act, you may be able to recover costs through their insurance.

But if the tree fell due to a natural event, like high winds, it’s typically considered “an act of God”, and no one is deemed at fault.

Note: If you've previously warned your neighbour about the poor condition of their tree, make sure to keep a record. Save any messages and take a photo(s) of the tree. Proving negligence or lack of maintenance can be tricky, and if the tree ends up falling onto your property, it may be difficult to hold your neighbour financially responsible without clear evidence.

Your own tree falls on your neighbour's property

If your tree falls on your neighbour’s car or property, you’re typically not liable unless you were negligent, such as ignoring visible signs of rot or warnings from your neighbour about the tree’s condition.

This means your neighbour would file for damages under their own homeowners' insurance policy or car insurance policy. And if it also damaged part of your property in the fall, such as your fence, you'd file your own claim for that. In most weather-related cases, each person’s own insurance covers their losses, regardless of whose tree it was.

What if the fallen tree was on city property?

This is similar to it being a neighbour's tree. In many provinces, municipalities aren't automatically liable unless the tree was reported as hazardous and they failed to act.

For example, the city of Toronto, Ontario, makes it clear that just because a city-owned tree caused damage doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be compensated. They’ll first investigate the tree’s history and surrounding circumstances. If the tree or branch fell due to a storm, the city generally won’t be held responsible for any resulting property damage.

That means your own insurance policy is still your best bet for getting repairs started quickly. Even if negligence through the city is proven, many municipalities recommend filing through your own car insurance or home insurance company, which can then later pursue the municipality through subrogation if negligence is established.

What to do immediately after a tree falls

Whether it’s the aftermath of a violent windstorm in Quebec or a heavy snow load in British Columbia, discovering a tree has crashed onto your property or car can be both shocking and stressful. In those first few moments, it’s easy to feel unsure of what to do. That's why BrokerLink has put together the following steps to help you navigate the situation:

1. Ensure everyone's safety first

Before anything else, make sure everyone is safe. If anyone is injured, call 911. If the tree has brought down power lines or is blocking the road, stay clear of the area and call 911 or your local utility provider immediately. If the tree has landed on your home, exit it immediately.

2. Don’t move anything

Avoid touching or moving your vehicle, furniture, or anything else that’s been damaged. It’s important to keep the scene intact for documentation.

3. Take photos and videos

Document everything thoroughly. Take clear photos from different angles, showing the tree, the damage, and any affected areas inside and outside your home or car. This evidence will help speed up your insurance claim.

Note: Do not re-enter your home until the authorities say it is safe to do so.

4. Contact your insurance provider

Call your home or auto insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process. They’ll guide you on the next steps and may send a claims adjuster to assess the damage.

Contact BrokerLink for more information

Already knowing how both home and car insurance work and what they protect against is essential when facing a crisis. Thankfully, BrokerLink will make sure that you understand exactly how you are protected. If a tree falls on your house or car, or if you hit a fallen tree on the road, contact BrokerLink. One of our insurance experts will be pleased to explain what kind of coverage applies and how you can file a claim with your insurance company.

And if you're looking for an affordable home or car insurance policy, contact BrokerLink today. You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

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FAQs on insurance and trees falling on cars

What happens if a tree falls on my vehicle while I'm driving?

If your car is hit by a falling object, such as a tree or tree branch while on the road, your comprehensive car insurance coverage should protect you. That said, if you hit a tree that has already fallen, it is considered a grounded object, which means comprehensive coverage likely wouldn’t apply. The distinction here is that a tree falling on your vehicle while driving is considered an unavoidable accident, whereas hitting an already-fallen tree while driving is considered avoidable since it’s your job to be aware of any hazards or obstacles on the road. Thus, if you hit a tree that was already on the road, you may only be covered if you have collision coverage in your car insurance policy.

What is the difference between comprehensive coverage and full auto coverage?

Comprehensive coverage is a specific type of optional car insurance coverage, whereas full auto coverage is a name given to policies that include all types of physical damage coverage. Full auto policies usually feature comprehensive coverage, in addition to collision coverage and other optional coverages, such as accident forgiveness.

Does comprehensive coverage protect you if someone else is driving your car?

In most cases, yes. Car insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. Assuming you gave this other driver permission to use your vehicle, they are not excluded from your policy, and they were not committing a crime at the time of the accident, the comprehensive coverage portion of your policy can still protect you even if the incident occurred while another driver was behind the wheel.

Does comprehensive insurance cover windshield replacement?

Comprehensive coverage may cover windshield replacement depending on the circumstances surrounding the damage.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.