How Landscaping Affects Home Insurance in Massachusetts

Thinking of making some outdoor upgrades? Landscaping is a great way to gain curb appeal, boost your home’s value, and make it a more enjoyable space (plus, it can even have some benefits in terms of safety and weather resistance). But before you get started on the next project in your yard or garden, be sure to understand how landscaping upgrades can affect your homeowners insurance policy.

Damage to your landscaping may be covered by your homeowners insurance, depending on the scenario. Because landscaping can fall under your homeowners policy, it can affect the premium you pay and the coverage limits you receive. Certain upgrades can earn you discounts, but others can make your policy more expensive.

Read on to learn more about what specific situations are covered (and which are not).

Landscaping Improvements & Insurance Premiums

Certain landscaping improvements can help lower your home insurance premium, but keep in mind that some expensive upgrades may increase the value of your home, which could raise your rates.

Upgrades that can earn you discounts include:

• Fire-resistant landscaping, including specific plants and materials, in wildfire-prone areas
• Proper drainage systems, such as French drains and rain gardens, which prevent water from damaging your home’s foundation
• Security enhancements, like motion sensor lighting, shrubs, and fencing, which deter burglars
• Tree maintenance, as regular trimming reduces the risk of storm damage

Outdoor upgrades that can hike up your premium include:

• Extensive water features
• Outdoor kitchens
• Large decks or patios
• In-ground swimming pools
• “High-risk” trees, such as willows and oaks, which have expansive, destructive root systems — especially if they’re planted too close to pipes or foundations
• Climbing plants, like vines and ivy, which can damage your home’s exterior structure

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Landscaping?

Yes, your homeowners insurance policy can cover the costs of repairing or replacing landscaping upgrades, depending on how they become damaged.

Some of the landscaping elements in your yard and garden that may be covered by your home insurance include:

• The yard itself
• Trees
• Shrubs
• Other plants
• Surrounding structures, like garden walls

Always check the details of your policy (or go over them with an agent) to understand what’s covered and what’s not.

If your landscaping or garden structures become damaged by specific covered perils, they may be covered by your policy. Covered perils in a standard homeowners policy often include:

• Lightning
• Fire
• Explosions
• Vandalism
• Theft

You can also receive coverage from someone else’s liability policy if they cause damage to your yard.

When Is Landscaping Not Covered?

If your yard or garden is damaged by certain perils, it won’t be covered by your homeowners insurance. Perils that are not typically covered include:

• Hail
• Wind
• Ice or snow
• Insects, squirrels, raccoons, or other pests
• Diseases
• Wear and tear
• Lack of upkeep
• Flooding
• Earthquakes

Homeowners insurance also won’t cover damage to your landscaping caused by your own negligence or lack of maintenance. For instance, if a tree on your property rots and falls because you failed to have it cut down.

Coverage Limits for Landscaping

Your homeowners insurance may have specific policy limits for landscaping upgrades. Some policies limit landscaping coverage to a percentage of the dwelling coverage. There may also be sub-limits for individual trees or shrubs.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fallen Trees?

Yes, your homeowners insurance can cover damage caused to your home or yard by a fallen tree, even if replacing the tree isn’t covered by your policy. It may also cover the cost to remove the tree from your property.

If a tree falls and damages a car in your driveway, however, that won’t be covered by your home insurance. Rather, it will be covered by the comprehensive portion of your auto policy (if you have comprehensive coverage).

Landscape Damage Caused by a Neighbor

If a neighbor, tresspasser, or someone else damages your lawn or landscaping features, document what happened with photos and videos. Reach out to the responsible party, if you know them. Their personal liability coverage may help pay to repair the damage.

If you choose to file a claim with your own insurer, they may seek reimbursement from your neighbor’s insurance policy.

Save Money & Prevent Claims With Outdoor Upgrades

By taking precautions, you can prevent costly home insurance claims, decreasing the chances of your rates rising or your policy getting canceled. Take these measures to save yourself from preventable damage to your home and landscaping.

• Maintain your lawn and garden: Refreshing flowerbeds, pruning shrubs, and mowing the lawn can go a long way toward reducing the risk of weather damage and improving the overall health of your property.

• Keep an eye on trees: Overgrown branches can cause roof damage, broken glass, and pest infestations. They also pose threats to neighbors’ property and vehicles. Remember: It’s your legal responsibility to take care of dangerous, dead, overgrown, or leaning trees.

• Clean up: Overgrown weeds, climbing vines, loose trash, and broken outdoor structures in your yard don’t just look messy, they can also cause damage during storms.

• Manage drainage patterns: Failing to ensure water is directed away from your foundation can cause flooding and structural issues. Flood damage isn’t covered by standard homeowners policies.

• Plant trees thoughtfully: Large tree roots can absorb moisture, causing soil shifts that result in cracks and structural damage. Keep larger trees away from your foundation, pipes, and pools. Roots can also damage underground utility lines.

Protect Your Home & Yard in Massachusetts

Upgrade your landscaping with the knowledge that you’ll be covered. Get in touch with an agent at C&S Insurance today to get the best advice on home improvement, landscaping upgrades, and ways to save on your Massachusetts homeowners policy.