# Homeowners Insurance for treehouses **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 24, 2024, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008 "2024-05-24T03:26:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/1 "2024-05-24T03:26:22Z")
How difficult is it to get homeowners insurance for a treehouse? Can you get coverage for beaver damage? Under “Type of foundation” do you put “root”? Are you covered if a branch from the same tree the house is in falls on it? What’s the scoop? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/2 "2024-05-24T03:42:57Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > How difficult is it to get homeowners insurance for a treehouse? It’s a terror. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/3 "2024-05-24T05:51:19Z")
By the way, by “tree house” I mean something like this: > **[Berlin, Ohio Treehouses | Rustic Treehouse Lodging in Amish Country](https://www.amishcountrylodging.com/berlin-treehouses)** > > Our unique Berlin, Ohio treehouses offer the ideal lodging for anniversaries, honeymoons, or family friendly getaways to Amish Country. These custom treehouses feature our signature amenities including a 2-person stone jetted tub, fireplaces, living... ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/4 "2024-05-24T05:55:24Z")
Maybe if it’s on the property where you have a house it could be covered that way. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/5 "2024-05-24T06:21:30Z")
In Tornado Alley a insurance company would be insane to cover a treehouse. Recent news, 100 yo trees made into toothpicks along with houses and buildings. My homeowners insurance agent said tear it down for the kids playhouse that was barely in a tree. More like along side it. He also said get rid of the trampoline. So happens a tornado blew it into the pond. Not a problem anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/6 "2024-05-24T07:28:21Z")
A treehouse is a structure and if located on your property, it’s automatically covered under “Other Structures” with a limit of 10% of the coverage on your home subject to policy conditions. Any damage from beavers or vermin is excluded. I can think of no exclusion if wind causes a branch from the same tree to damage the treehouse. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/7 "2024-05-24T07:34:56Z")
But what if it is the _only_ structure on your property? ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/8 "2024-05-24T07:45:48Z")
If it’s the only structure and you are attempting to get a Homeowner’s policy, I believe you may have problems. Homeowner’s insurance is designed to cover your primary dwelling so unless you reside in the treehouse, I doubt an insurance company will underwrite and insure the treehouse. On the off chance you do reside in the treehouse, I still find it hard to believe an Underwriting Department would provide coverage and write a policy on a treehouse but it’s worth a try. Just be specific in describing it as a treehouse when you write ‘N/A’ under non-applicable questions such as ‘foundation’. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/9 "2024-05-24T07:53:36Z")
I don’t think a municipality would ever permit(as in giving you a permit) to build it as a primary residence. Folks with the shipping container homes are having issues. If it is rural and not in city limits, I suppose you could build it, live in it and be happily ever after a tree dweller. But, insurance is hard enough to get out here in the woods, already. Very expensive with no fire plugs near by. You’d never get it on a treehouse. I can say that with very little reservation. I know, basically, only the purchasers side of homeowners insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/10 "2024-05-24T08:05:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > But what if it is the _only_ structure on your property? It’s always possible to get a _manual policy_, a policy that is not off-the-shelf, but one that is specifically written for the circumstances that you present. Not all insurers will underwrite such policies, and you may need to use a broker to shop around. After all, if Lloyd’s of London could insure Betty Grable’s legs and Elton John’s fingers, there’s no reason a treehouse couldn’t be insured. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/11 "2024-05-24T08:07:58Z")
That is certainly an option but the premium may be prohibitive. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/12 "2024-05-24T08:11:10Z")
Yes, of course. Naturally, insurance companies rate risks. A manual policy on a treehouse may require a little more work on the rating than an off-the-shelf policy, but it can certainly be done. Whether or not the potential policyholder wants to or can afford to pay the premium is another matter. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/13 "2024-05-24T13:01:31Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I don’t think a municipality would ever permit(as in giving you a permit) to build it as a primary residence. > Folks with the shipping container homes are having issues. > If it is rural and not in city limits, I suppose you could build it, live in it and be happily ever after a tree dweller. In New York State, building code applies anywhere that you are. And all areas not in cities are legally in towns. Not all towns have zoning codes; but some quite rural ones do. So being outside city limits isn’t necessarily going to put you outside regulations. I don’t know what the state building code says about living in treehouses. In my town, if it meets state code for a residence and meets the setbacks and area requirements for the zone it’s in and you’ve got proper human waste disposal, then you can live in it. Haven’t seen a treehouse other than for kids to play in around here, though. And I suspect that the insurance question would depend on the particular insurance company. Ask around – ideally before building, both about code requirements and insurance. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/14 "2024-05-24T13:09:52Z")
I assume the major issue is - how often do forest fires occur in that area? Maybe I’m just not reading the right news, but I don’t see a lot forest fires in the New York-New Jersey area (good rainfall?) whereas I doubt you’ll get affordable insurance in some areas of the west - California, British Columbia, Alberta… As mentioned, tornadoes or other serious storms (hurricanes near the east coast) are also factors. What would an insurance company do? I assume for a manual policy they’d have to consult a few experts on local forestry and weather, and you will pay for that service…? Plus, there’s the issue that the foundation is alive (you hope) and will stay that way (you hope) meaning damage due to growth or demise of the tree would not be covered? Presumably one way or another, code for electrical safety and sanitary plumbing would have to be followed. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/15 "2024-05-24T14:40:21Z")
My guess is that the bigger issue for the insurance company is from people falling out of treehouses or while climbing up or down. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/16 "2024-05-24T15:05:15Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > I assume the major issue is - how often do forest fires occur in that area? I’d think another issue would be, is the construction done so that it’s not going to collapse, given the size, type, and condition of the particular tree(s) involved as well as the materials used? As I said, I don’t know whether there are building codes for residential tree houses – in any case I’m pretty sure that would be state by state, so both the codes and their existence probably vary by state. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/17 "2024-05-24T15:09:41Z")
Extending an existing homeowners policy to cover liability for a treehouse is done. I’ve seen that advertised. But once again it’s an extension of the coverage of a house on the property. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/18 "2024-05-24T16:19:46Z")
I think you are right. When I bought my first house and had to learn about homeowner’s insurance, I was surprised to discover that it covers not just things like fire and storms, but lawsuits from people who sue you if they trip on your rug or fall down the stairs. This is part of the reason why they ask questions about things like trampolines. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/19 "2024-05-24T16:46:15Z")
A general liability policy is the often the biggest advantage of a homeowners policy, usually covering damage liability far in excess of the value of the house. If your house burns down that can cost of hundreds of thousand of dollars to replace, but someone who gets injured on your property can sue you for millions. I’ve heard of cases where people found liable in car accidents were able to settle a case based on a payout from their homeowners policy. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008/20 "2024-05-24T17:04:24Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > I was surprised to discover that it covers not just things like fire and storms, but lawsuits from people who sue you if they trip on your rug or fall down the stairs. I recall reading about a woding change mae to that clause in the industry generally abut the 1980’s. Someone sued (tried to sue?) their former lover because she contracted herpes and it allegedly happened in his house, from him. Now generally that sort of “injury” is excluded. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I’d think another issue would be, is the construction done so that it’s not going to collapse, given the size, type, and condition of the particular tree(s) involved as well as the materials used? I would think structural integrity is an obvious part of any insurance, no matter where the building sits or what it’s made of. I know when my insurance agent switched providers, they had someone come through and make pictures of the house, etc. although it wasn’t a full-blown house inspection. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-for-treehouses/1002008.md?page=2)