A tree came down. Here’s what to do next.

1. Document before anything moves

• Wide photos and video of the whole property from each side, then close-ups of every spot the tree touches.
• The trunk break or root ball, and any other damaged trees.
• Inside damage: ceilings, walls, water stains. Note the date and time of each photo.
• Keep receipts for tarps, emergency cuts, hotel stays and anything else you pay for.

2. Call your insurer and read your policy

You file your own claim with your own insurance company. On a common homeowners (HO-3) policy form, tree removal is covered when a tree felled by wind, hail or the weight of ice damages a covered structure, or blocks your driveway or a wheelchair ramp. That sample form caps tree removal at $1,000 per loss and $500 per tree, and pays for damage to the house separately, up to your limits.[source] A tree that lands in the yard without hitting anything usually isn’t covered.[source] Your own declarations page and policy are what count.

Get the claim number, the adjuster’s name and email, and ask for important answers in writing.

3. Hire a contractor carefully

• Get a written, itemized estimate before work starts, and a signed contract that says what is included.
• Ask for proof of insurance (liability and workers’ comp) and their local business license or tax receipt.
• For roof, structural, electrical or plumbing repairs in Florida, look the contractor up on DBPR’s license search; an out-of-state license doesn’t count there.
• Your contractor bills you. You stay in charge of your own claim.

4. Get official help

FEMA assistance, if a federal declaration covers your county, starts at DisasterAssistance.gov.[source] Your state and county emergency management agencies post debris pickup schedules, shelters and local orders. See Official resources.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary. Before you take storm work in Florida, talk to a licensed Florida attorney.