A bad storm just rolled through Fishers, Carmel, or your corner of Central Indiana. Now there’s a tree or half of one sitting where it shouldn’t be. Maybe it’s on your fence. Maybe it’s on your roof. Maybe it’s just a mess in the yard, and you’re not sure if it’s dangerous.
Before you call anyone or do anything, here’s what you need to know.
Step 1: Don’t Touch It
This is the most important step. After a severe storm, damaged trees are unpredictable. A trunk that looks stable may be balanced on a single root ball. Limbs that look lodged may shift the moment someone tugs on them.
Keep your family inside and away from the damage until a professional can assess it. If the tree or limbs are touching power lines, treat the lines as live and call your utility company before calling a tree service.
Step 2: Document the Damage Before Anything Is Moved
If a tree has damaged your home, fence, vehicle, or any structure, your first call after safety is secured should be to your homeowners’ insurance company, not a chainsaw.
Walk around the perimeter (at a safe distance) and take photos and video of:
- The full tree and how it fell
- Any point of contact with your home, fence, or property
- Visible damage to the structure
- The root ball or break point
This documentation protects your claim. Once crews start working, the original scene is gone.
Step 3: Know What Qualifies as an Emergency
Not every fallen tree is a 911-level situation, but some situations require immediate response. Call for emergency tree removal if:
- A tree or major limb is resting on your roof, siding, or gutters
- The tree is blocking your driveway or a road
- Hanging limbs are suspended over your home, vehicle, or a walkway
- The trunk is cracked or leaning dangerously after the storm
- Any part of the tree is in contact with power lines
Pro Finish Tree Care provides 24/7 emergency storm damage response across Fishers, Indianapolis, Carmel, Noblesville, and the surrounding suburbs. If any of the above applies to you, call us now — we’ll assess the situation and prioritize accordingly.
Step 4: Understand What “Storm Damage Cleanup” Actually Involves
A lot of homeowners don’t realize how complex a fallen tree removal can be, especially when the tree is entangled with a structure. Here’s what professional storm damage tree removal typically involves:
- Hazard assessment: before any cutting starts, the crew evaluates the tree’s weight distribution, root stability, and any secondary lean. Getting this wrong causes secondary damage.
- Controlled sectional removal: branches and trunk sections are removed methodically, often using ropes and rigging — to prevent dropping weight on your roof or landscaping.
- Temporary tarping: if your roof or siding is exposed, a professional crew can tarp the area to prevent water damage while you wait on repairs.
- Complete debris hauling: branches, chips, and logs are cleared from the property. You can request that firewood-length logs be stacked on site if you want to keep them.
Step 5: Talk to Your Insurance Adjuster Before You Pay Out of Pocket
In Indiana, homeowners insurance typically covers tree removal costs when a tree has caused direct damage to an insured structure, your home, attached garage, or fence, for example. If the tree fell in the yard and didn’t hit anything, coverage is less certain and often depends on your specific policy.
At Pro Finish Tree Care, we can provide written estimates, photos, and documentation to support your insurance claim. We work alongside homeowners throughout the process.
Why Hire a Local, Veteran-Owned Tree Service After a Storm
After a big storm, out-of-town “storm chasers” contractors who follow severe weather events looking for quick work, often flood the area. They may be unlicensed, uninsured, and hard to reach if something goes wrong.
Pro Finish Tree Care is based in Fishers, Indiana. Owner Jesse Dickson is a United States Army veteran who has served the Greater Indianapolis area since 2019. We carry full general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, and we’re here before the storm, during it, and long after the crews have left.
🌲 Dealing with storm damage right now? Call Pro Finish Tree Care at (317) 910-9563! We offer 24/7 emergency response across Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Indianapolis, and surrounding Central Indiana communities. Free on-site estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions: Storm Damage Tree Removal
How fast can you get here after a storm?
Response time depends on storm severity and the number of active calls. We prioritize situations involving structural contact, blocked access, and live-threat hazards. Call us directly for real-time availability.
Does insurance cover tree removal if the tree just fell in my yard?
Usually not — most policies only cover removal costs when the tree caused damage to an insured structure. If the tree is just in the yard, you’ll likely be paying out of pocket. We offer competitive, honest estimates.
Can you remove a tree that’s resting on my roof without causing more damage?
Yes. This is something we do regularly. We use controlled rigging techniques to remove weight section by section, protecting your roof and gutters throughout the process.
What areas do you serve for emergency storm cleanup?
We serve Fishers, Indianapolis, Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, Greenwood, Fortville, McCordsville, New Palestine, Greenfield, and surrounding Central Indiana communities. If you’re unsure whether we cover your area, just call we’ll let you know immediately.
