home insurance appraisal
How the value of damaged trees for insurance purposes?
Long story short, a guy ran his car off the road in my front yard and crashed against a tree. The tree is a complete waste. He has insurance (thank God!). How much should I expect to receive from the insurance company for the value the tree? The tree is a mature blue spruce. It was about 20-25 feet high, had a trunk of 8.10 inches, and an extension at the base of some 15 feet or less. Be that at least should be entitled to the cost of removing the tree / debris and plant a new tree. But you can not really plant a blue spruce 25 feet! Thus, the problem I am having is determining what value should be entitled to consider the "maturity" of the tree? Who can I call for an "assessment"? Can someone in the insurance industry or with experience in evaluating trees give me a ballpark figure given the information I provide? Another Information: I live in a subdivision of custom brick homes in a large lot (about 1 acre) and my house is worth about $ 275k.
An arborist could help save the tree, but not sure if he knew that the value – and not think "tree service" boys are arborists! Review around your area for nurseries that specialize in trees. You will be surprised how big of a tree that you can buy and have been transplanted to their location! My son found a spot near what trees grow "on earth" in big pots. It will deliver to you the location and have great "Scoop" digging the ground and then set the root ball – and we're talking about a root ball that was about 4 feet in diameter or larger! It is also necessary to calculate the economic impact on their home due to heating and cooling most of the house. I have a huge walnut tree in front of the house that would be devastated to lose – as my house faces the west and that would total Noon Sun, were it not for that tree! You may have to talk to your electricity provider for this type of information – But it's something I would consider! Good luck and I hope this helps!
