While it seems rare, a tree falling on a home is more prevalent than you might realize. According to an 800-homeowner poll, one out of every ten homeowners with trees in their yard has had a tree fall onto their home.

If this is the first time this is happening, you might be confused about what to do, right? To help you out, here are the things you should do:

Get a tree removal company as soon as possible

A fallen tree can break windows and leave holes in your roof or paneling. It can also damage gas lines if the tree falls near where it enters your home. To prevent further damage, you should get in touch with an experienced tree services provider and have them come and remove the tree before it causes further damage.

As a precaution, turn off the gas until you are certain the lines are not damaged. You’ll notice a shut-off valve near the meter. Using a wrench, turn the valve a quarter turn to the right.

You should also call a qualified contractor to tarp or board up shattered windows and holes in your home’s roof or sidewalls.

This procedure will safeguard your home’s interior from further weather damage. If you want to cover shattered windows yourself, take care to avoid sharp glass, but leave roof tarping to the professionals. Certain sections of the roof may not be stable enough to walk on safely.

Call 911 if power lines are down.

When a tree falls on a house, electrical power lines may come down with it, increasing the risk of fire or lethal electrical shock. Flickering lights or no electricity in the house are signs that a power line has gone down.

From the outside, you might be able to see if a power line is stuck in the fallen tree. In rare circumstances, a downed line may still be operational, but it poses a risk, so turn off the power at your breaker box if you know or think that the tree took down a line.

You should contact the authorities and your local electricity company. If you smell smoke, get your family out of the house and notify any neighbors who may be affected.

The electrical company will send out technicians to repair the lines. Local law enforcement may need to stop traffic on your street, and the fire department may dispatch a unit to stand by until safety is restored.

Get alternative shelter if you feel your life is in danger

Simply looking at something does not necessarily reveal the magnitude of the harm. If the fallen tree struck any significant structural supports, compromised the integrity of your roof, or hasn’t entirely fallen over, it may no longer be safe to enter your home.

Unless you are confident that the house is safe to enter, locate another location to stay for a period and engage a professional to check and assess the damage.

You should only consider getting back in the house after the professionals have fixed the problem.

Document the incident for insurance claims.

Once it’s safe, take photos and videos of the damage, both inside and out. Let a roofing professional photograph the roof for you, as it might be dangerous to go up there.

Document any shattered windows, damaged siding, structural damage, or damage to your home’s contents. Don’t leave anything out; the images you take now will serve as evidence for your insurance claim in the future, so take as many photos and even videos from different angles.

Get in touch with your insurance company and start the claims process

You may be required to consult with two or three local contractors to obtain estimates for the repair work.

Alternatively, depending on your insurance carrier, a claims adjuster may be sent out to inspect your property. In such cases, the adjuster will assess the degree of the damage and the associated repair costs.

You shouldn’t wait too long before getting in touch with the insurance company. Contact them as soon as the site is safe and start the claims process.

Can you sue your neighbor if their tree falls on your property?

If you’re thinking about suing, you should consult with a lawyer in your area because laws vary by state. In most states, if you can prove that your neighbor was aware of the dead tree but failed to remove it in a timely manner, they may be held accountable for the damages.

You should work with your attorney and put together as much evidence as possible.

Who is responsible if your tree falls on your neighbor’s property?

Responsibility varies depending on the circumstances. If the tree was healthy when it fell, your neighbor’s insurance company would most likely cover the damages.

However, if your tree fell because you neglected to care for it or failed to remove it after discovering it was dead, you may be held accountable for the expenditures.

Remember that your neighbor will need to prove that you neglected the tree. This means that if they have evidence of a dead tree still standing or they have messages or conversations you had about the tree, and you ignored it, you will be responsible for all the expenses that result from it.

Which trees are likely to fall?

As much as it’s common for trees to fall on properties, not all trees do it. It’s a select few that do it.

Trees in poor condition or with prior damage are more likely to fall during inclement weather. If you’re scared about a tree falling on your house, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey, 45% of homeowners share your anxiety.

To avoid surprises when a tree abruptly falls on your or your neighbor’s property and you have a huge bill to settle, make it a habit to find an arborist Chevy Chase to inspect the tree and fix any issues the tree might be having as early as possible before it wreaks havoc.

A good rule of thumb is to hire a professional at least once a year to look at the trees, even if they have no problem.