My tree damaged my neighbor's house

posted by O-Trap

Mine's probably not even that, though I have good insurance.

Like I said, I would be more sympathetic if it weren't for those things I mentioned.  They have equity in the house, so I know they have the ability to borrow against it.  And they probably go through at least $150 a month in beer alone.

I know a lot of that is "normal" around here, so I get that they're just pretty much doing what they've seen everyone else do, but there's no way they didn't know about it, so there's ultimately no excuse.

I helped them clean up a bunch of the smaller debris in their yard yesterday, but the log was too big for even the husband and I to move, so we've got to figure something else out.  Well, they do, but I'm willing to help if I can.

No question they should have insurance. But they’re going to pay for the roof through the deductible and premium hikes. Just not a bill up front. 

posted by kizer permanente

No question they should have insurance. But they’re going to pay for the roof through the deductible and premium hikes. Just not a bill up front. 

Sure.  If they had holed away money for that sort of thing, like QO was alluding to, they would have essentially been no better or worse off than having actual insurance (other than maybe less security against another disaster until they can save up a bit of a cash cache).

Doing neither probably feels like the best option until you need it.  Then, it's too late.

posted by kizer permanente

It wasn't his tree who fell on his house, it was your tree. 

Healthy tree fell on someone else's property.   A person insures their own property against storm damage.

posted by O-Trap

1. They've definitely not been banking that money.  Most people around here don't.  A good chunk of them don't even have bank accounts.

2. They already owe a bunch of property back taxes (~ $10K), so I don't know how that affects the ability to get a second mortgage, but while their house isn't worth a lot (most houses on my block are worth anywhere from $15K to $40K), I would think it would still be enough to fix the house, though.

We're dealing with people who have a history of poor decision-making, as I said.  I still feel bad for them, though, as the tree falling wasn't their fault.

Good neighbor would get them a few blue Tarps, you maybe seeing them for a long time. 

I agree with QuakerOats they have some option to fix the house (maybe)

I could be wrong, not a insurance guy but some communities laws you have to have homeowner insurance or proof of insurance if you're paying property taxes? 

posted by Belly35

Good neighbor would get them a few blue Tarps, you maybe seeing them for a long time. 

I agree with QuakerOats they have some option to fix the house (maybe)

I could be wrong, not a insurance guy but some communities laws you have to have homeowner insurance or proof of insurance if you're paying property taxes? 

I don't think that's law.  It's certainly wise, but I don't think it's law.  Maybe an HOA thing in some communities or neighborhoods?

Needless to say, my neighborhood doesn't have a HOA.

Did you break the bad news to them yet?

Yep.  The wife came to my door for a conversation, and I told her.  That was when I found out that they didn't have homeowners insurance.  Before that, I hadn't considered that someone wouldn't, given how affordable it is, and the fact that it covers your most valuable asset.

Buy ‘em a 12-pack.

posted by QuakerOats

Buy ‘em a 12-pack.

Hell, I'd be doing that even if they did have homeowners insurance.

And I'll probably make it a 24-pack.

posted by O-Trap

Hell, I'd be doing that even if they did have homeowners insurance.

And I'll probably make it a 24-pack.

Justin found your porch furniture