Tree Fell on Your Roof in Texas? What to Do First
Updated: October 2026
If a tree fell on your roof, do things in this order. Get everyone out of the rooms under the tree. Check for a gas smell or downed power lines and call 911 if there is doubt. Photograph everything before anything is moved. Call your insurer. Then tarp the opening and hire an insured crew to lift the tree off.
Who do you call first?
The order matters, and it is not the tree service. Once everyone is safe, the calls go like this:
- The utility company, but only if a line is involved. A tree tall enough to reach your roof very likely crossed your service drop on the way down. If any wire is down, touching the tree, or pulled off the house, stay at least 10 feet away and call the utility or 911. Do not move a branch until the line is de-energized.
- Your insurer, next. Open the claim and ask what documentation they need. They may have a preferred contractor. Calling them first also protects you from door-knocking crews that show up after storms and push you to sign away your claim.
- An insured tree crew, last. Ask for proof of liability and workers’ compensation insurance before anyone climbs. A tree resting on a roof often needs a crane, and crews are booked solid after a big storm. A tarped, stable roof can wait a few days. Do not pay a large premium to a stranger to be first in line.
What should you photograph before anyone touches the tree?
Your claim runs on this evidence, and it disappears the moment a crew starts cutting. Take wide shots that show the whole tree and how it is lying, plus close shots of every contact point with the house. Photograph the trunk base or root ball too, because rot at the base decides who pays when a neighbor’s tree is involved. Inside, photograph the ceiling, walls, any daylight coming through, and every damaged item before you move it. Keep everything for now. Do not throw away debris yet.
Should you tarp the roof yourself?
A contractor tarp or board-up typically costs $200 to $1,000 depending on the size of the hole. Every standard policy expects you to take reasonable steps to stop further damage, and insurers usually reimburse reasonable tarping costs, so keep the receipt. If you do it yourself, work from the ground or a stable ladder only, well away from the tree. Never climb onto a damaged roof while a tree is on it, and never work near a downed line. A roofer can also tarp as part of the repair visit.
How much does tree removal and roof repair cost in Texas?
| Step | Typical cost, as of October 2026 | What insurance usually does |
|---|---|---|
| Tarp or board-up | $200 to $1,000 | Reimbursed; keep receipts |
| Emergency tree removal off the house | $1,500 to $5,000 | Removal capped around $500 to $1,000 per tree |
| Roof repair | Varies by damage | Covered under dwelling coverage, minus your deductible |
Have the roofer check the decking and trusses, not just the shingles, and send the estimate to your insurer. After the tree is off and the roof is tarped, the next step is a full inspection to find every puncture and cracked shingle before the next storm. If you are in Texas City or anywhere in Galveston County, call (409) 290-5353 and we will connect you with an independent local provider to trace the damage and quote the real fix.
Will homeowners insurance cover it in Texas?
Yes, if the tree fell because of a covered peril. The Insurance Information Institute says a standard policy covers damage to the structure and its contents when a tree hits your home, and this holds for trees felled by wind, lightning, or hail. On the Gulf Coast, that usually means hurricanes and tropical storms, so most tree-on-roof claims here are straightforward.
Coverage applies no matter who owns the tree. After a storm, insurers rarely chase down where the tree came from, and they may try to recover from a neighbor’s carrier later through subrogation. If that succeeds, your deductible can be reimbursed.
Two limits to know. Removal coverage is generally capped around $500 to $1,000 per tree, and if the tree fell without hitting a structure, there is usually no removal coverage at all. Also, poor maintenance is not covered. If a rotting tree fell on a calm day, that cost stays with the homeowner. If the same storm also dropped hail, our hail damage claim guide walks through the documentation steps.
What if the tree came from your neighbor’s yard?
You still file the claim with your own insurer. Your neighbor is typically liable only if neglect played a part, such as a tree that was visibly rotting or leaning for years and they did nothing about it. This is why the trunk-base photos matter. And before you hire anyone who knocks on your door after the storm, read our storm chaser red flags guide so you do not sign your claim over to a stranger.
Quick answers
Who do I call first: the insurance company or a tree service?
The insurance company comes first, once everyone is safe and you have photos. The adjuster tells you what documentation the claim needs and may have a preferred contractor. Only then hire the removal crew, and never let anyone start cutting before the damage is photographed. One exception: if a power line is involved, call the utility before anyone else.
Does homeowners insurance cover removing the tree?
It depends on your policy. The III says a standard policy covers removal when the tree hit an insured structure, generally up to about $500 to $1,000. If the tree fell without damaging a structure, removal is usually on you. The roof repair is a separate item under your dwelling coverage, minus your deductible.
What if the tree belonged to my neighbor?
You file with your own insurer. The III notes that after a storm, insurers rarely chase where the tree came from, though they may try to recover from the neighbor’s carrier later. If they succeed, you can get your deductible back. Your neighbor is usually liable only if neglect played a part, such as a visibly rotting tree.
Is it safe to stay in the house with a tree on the roof?
Not until you have checked it. A tree on a roof is rarely done moving. Branches settle and the trunk can roll, and a roof that held the first impact can give way later. Stay out of the attic and the rooms under the tree. If a ceiling is sagging or you hear cracking, leave the house and wait outside.