Will Having A Treehouse Affect My Homeowners Insurance Premiums?

Many homeowners may consider a treehouse just another structure on their property, similar to a backyard shed or detached garage. Garages and sheds are normally excluded from insurance coverage, so why would a treehouse be?

Insurers Are Concerned About Treehouses For A Variety Of Reasons

When homeowners construct something on their property, they frequently believe they will be the only ones to use or be impacted by it. This is most definitely not the case when it comes to treehouses. This is why:

Other children are at risk – Treehouses are places where children congregate–your children, their friends, neighbors, and maybe any other child looking for a good time. If one of those children falls out of the treehouse and fractures a bone (a very common occurrence), their parents will seek an explanation from you, and you may be held liable for their child's medical expenses. To reimburse the expense, you may need to file a liability claim with your homeowner's insurance company.

Adjacent property proximity: A severe storm or sloppy construction may result in portions of the treehouse causing damage to a neighbor's property. You will almost certainly be held liable if such an accident occurs. Additionally, you may breach privacy standards if you can see into a neighbor's home from the treehouse.

Proximity to public utility structures: A treehouse constructed too high may contact power or telephone lines. This can restrict public utility employees' operations and increase the risk of injury for anyone in the treehouse.

How To Construct A Secure Treehouse

If you're certain you want a treehouse, the best course of action is to construct it carefully. The following are the measures to take:

• Make an appointment with your city's engineering department — Construction projects (even minor ones) require approval from your jurisdiction. An inspector can assist you in adhering to local standards and avoiding utility poles and powerlines.
• Maintain a low-to-the-ground position — Falls from lower heights are typically less severe than those from greater heights. Keep the treehouse around ten feet in height – this allows you to safely make repairs from the ground.
• Select a robust, healthy tree — The tree you select must be strong and able to resist the additional weight and pressure. Consult an arborist (your state's cooperative extension service can assist you in locating one) who can verify whether the tree is disease-free and resistant to common infections.
• Collaborate with a professional — Unless you are a skilled master carpenter, collaborate with a builder who has experience creating treehouses. This does not mean that you will have no say in the construction of the treehouse. A skilled builder can assist you in designing and bringing your vision to life, all while ensuring the end product is structurally sound.

How To Safely Use A Treehouse

If you want to avoid filing home insurance claims for damage to your treehouse, you should minimize your risk. The following suggestions will assist you in creating a secure atmosphere around your treehouse:

Limit access: Consider erecting obstacles or installing an alarm system to keep unsupervised children away from the treehouse. Additionally, it is good to discuss with your children when it is inappropriate to play in the treehouse (e.g., at night).

Utilize ladders: Construct stationary ladders to provide access to and from the treehouse. Ropes are unreliable and tend to wear out quickly.

Create a pulley system: Children will want to carry stuff into and out of the treehouse, but climbing a ladder is risky. Having a pulley system in place will significantly simplify and secure the process of bringing objects in and out.

Conduct periodic inspections: A tree is an ever-growing creature. These modifications may affect the treehouse's beams and bolts. You'll need to monitor for changes and make necessary repairs frequently.