Who Should Compensate for a Car Damaged by a Roadside Tree?
3 Answers
If a roadside tree damages your car, it falls within the scope of insurance claims. You should contact your insurance company to file a claim. Below is more information about car insurance: Compulsory Traffic Insurance: Compulsory Traffic Insurance covers the property and personal safety of the other party involved. It is a mandatory insurance required by the state, where the insurance company compensates for personal injuries, fatalities, and property losses caused by the insured motor vehicle in road traffic accidents, within the liability limits. Scope of Motor Vehicle Loss Insurance Claims: Motor Vehicle Loss Insurance generally covers vehicle damages caused by collisions, falls, spontaneous combustion, fires, explosions, storms, heavy rains, mudslides, landslides, etc. It also includes necessary and reasonable rescue expenses paid by the insured to prevent or reduce the loss of the insured vehicle after an insurance incident. The insurance company is responsible for claims within the liability limits. Typically, Motor Vehicle Loss Insurance has a deductible of about 30%. For policyholders who have purchased this insurance, the insurance company compensates for 70% of the loss amount.
When a roadside tree damages my car, my first thought is who should pay for it. Usually, it depends on who owns the tree. If the tree is in a public area, such as belonging to the municipal landscaping department, they are responsible for compensation because the law stipulates that municipal authorities have an obligation to maintain public property safety. If the tree is on private property, the owner must compensate, but it must be proven that they neglected maintenance—for example, the tree was too old or had untreated pests, causing it to fall. Insurance is also crucial. If you have comprehensive car insurance, it can cover such accidental damages, and filing a claim with your insurance company will be faster. Remember not to move the vehicle on the day of the incident, take photos and videos as evidence immediately, and contact the municipal or property management department to report and register the case. I once had my car damaged by a fallen tree during a storm, and thanks to comprehensive insurance, the claim was processed quickly, but I still had to follow up with the municipality to cover the remaining costs. It’s best to avoid parking under trees, especially during high-wind warnings, to save trouble. In short, don’t panic—asserting your rights legally is key.
I think it's most practical to start with insurance, as I've gone through a similar claims process before. When a tree damages your car, typically your own auto insurance—especially the comprehensive coverage—can cover the losses, as long as it wasn't intentional damage. You contact your insurer to file a claim, they'll send an adjuster to assess the damage and cover repair costs. However, if the tree owner bears greater liability, you can also pursue compensation from them—for instance, if the municipality or private property owner has liability insurance. Key steps include: taking photos of the scene (including car damage and tree location), gathering weather reports (if the tree fell due to weather), and filing a report with the police or 12345 for documentation. Don’t rush to clean up, or you might lose crucial evidence. Getting a repair shop’s estimate is also important. Last time, it took me two weeks to settle the claim—comprehensive insurance covered 90%, and the city compensated the rest. Always park in open areas away from trees, especially during rainy seasons—it’s safer and saves money. Insurance is a great ally; don’t hesitate to use it.
