If Debby knocks a neighbor’s tree on your car, who pays for that? Here’s what SC law says

Debby is about to make a mess.

The tropical storm is forecast to drop heavy rain across much of South Carolina this week and potentially cause significant flooding. What if during the rain and flooding, a neighbor’s tree falls down onto your car or house? Who is responsible and covers the costs?

Tree fall from a storm

According to South Carolina Independent Agents, when it comes to acts of nature, nobody is found at fault, with rare exceptions.

“Unless, that is, your neighbor had been neglecting a precarious situation, such as a tree that was leaning for a noticeable amount of time,” the company’s website reads. “Proving this to an insurance company could be tricky, though.”

SC car insurance

When nobody is at fault, you will hopefully have insurance to cover the damage. Here are coverage types required by law in South Carolina.

• Uninsured motorist coverage to protect you if you get in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to fully reimburse you.
• Property damage liability to cover repair costs to property you damaged with your vehicle.
• Bodily injury liability to cover medical costs to other drivers and their passengers.

Add-on car coverage

• Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from hazards other than collision, like flood or tree damage.

What car insurance doesn’t cover in SC

While there is plenty that car insurance will cover in South Carolina, there are still some exclusions, including:

• Vehicles used for business purposes
• Ridesharing vehicles
• Your personal belongings
• Routine maintenance costs

What to do if a tree falls on your car

Don’t wait. Take action as soon as you can.

Start by taking pictures of the damage from every angle. After that, get in contact with insurance provider to make your claim. Ask your claims representative if there are any other steps to take to get your car repaired faster.

You’ll be responsible for paying the deductible amount on your policy and your comprehensive coverage will pay for the rest.

If a tree fell on your car because of the actions of someone and not an act of Nature, you should get their insurance information and provide that when you file your claim.

This story was originally published August 6, 2024 at 6:00 AM.

Patrick McCreless

The State

803-771-8353

Patrick McCreless is the Southeast service journalism editor for McClatchy, who leads and edits a team of six reporters in South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi. The team writes about trending news of the day and topics that help readers in their daily lives and better informs them about their communities. He attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama and grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL.