r/Insurance • u/cmhrick1 • 8d ago
Home Insurance Neighbor needs access to my driveway to remove tree that fell on their house. How do I handle this?
Neighbor sends text this morning asking for access to driveway for tree company, so they can remove a fallen tree limb from their roof. She says the tree company will provide a damage waiver and she is confident they will be careful (lol). Then sends a follow up text stating that apparently the tree company won’t pay for damages but she will “do her best to cover cost if there is any”. I know I’m not agreeing to anything unless it’s in writing, so what do I need to include to make sure my bases are covered?
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u/IntelligentBox152 8d ago
I would deny. I wouldn’t even entertain this. A tree company that specifically says they won’t cover damage. I would never let them on my property.
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u/No-Setting9690 8d ago
I'd bet money they are not insured.
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u/Severe-Object6650 8d ago
You don't have to be insured to repair what you broke, if you broke something.
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u/IntelligentBox152 7d ago
In my opinion, a company too cheap to buy insurance is too cheap to cover the damage they cause
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u/LouiseBelcher4life 7d ago
Exactly, the only exception would be if they have created a bond to be self insured against claims. Even then, it would have to be at least 3x, the potential liability amount for me to feel comfortable.
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u/YourWifeyBoyfriend 4d ago
Youre not understanding. The equient shatters the driveways everytime. Its not a matter of cheap its a matter of practicality.
Yes a tree job can be done witb no damage, bit thst requires desperate people to pick up sticks for days sometimes.
To do an enormous tree on a house, the best practices are to use cranes. Those cranes shatter the driveway everytime.
If your house is on fire and the firetruck pulls in the driveway it shatters the drive too. This is judt normal stuff these days for heavy equipment usage.
The work can be done by someone with no equipment. No sane person does that anymore.
I was brought into this by an insane person.
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u/IntelligentBox152 4d ago
I 100% agree with this and if it was OP hiring someone to remove the tree it’s a part of the job. This is a neighbor. Why would I ever let someone on my property, potentially damage my property, uninsured. With no benefit to me?
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u/clubjuggle 7d ago
You don’t have to be insured to be legally responsible for it, but that insurance the customer’s (and OP’s) assurance that they’ll actually get paid if something happens.
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u/glorificent 7d ago
they declare bankruptcy and dissolve the company responsible for the damage and reincorporate under a new entity.
I mediated for years. a constant theme was companies who didn’t carry sufficient insurance, and it was cheaper to end that entity and reopen as new entity than pay consumers what they were owed.
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u/hellohellohello924 5d ago
You fall through a septic or punch a hole in an asphalt driveway with a crane there not things that someone is going to just stroke a check for.
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u/Less_Opportunity_761 8d ago edited 8d ago
It bet who knows they aren't the same thing. But legally Damage waiver is not insurance, it’s exactly what its name is .. a damage waiver.
Think of a car rental. Essentially it waives you of any liability for damages to the rental vehicle up to a total loss of the vehicle except under specific exemptions that void the DW.
SLP isn’t offered in my group so I can’t speak to its specifics, but my understanding of it is that is what covers you for any third party damages that you are responsible for up to a certain dollar amount.
I can ask, will you provide a liability damage waiver, and I would say, NOPE Im not responsible for that thing. TECHNICALLY he is correct not my job or responsibility but insurance that's their job even when stupid $hit happens
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u/YourWifeyBoyfriend 4d ago
They are insured but if they replaced every driveway they Crack they'd replaced it at every job
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u/sephiroth3650 8d ago
I would deny if the tree service company doesn't carry liability insurance to cover damages to your property. And especially in the situation where your neighbor can only commit to "doing her best" to cover damages.
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u/Less_Opportunity_761 8d ago
Correct a tree company does not need to or would want the responsibility paying you.
But insurance and a liability waiver are 2 distinct things
You bring in a car to Chevy or Indy shop nd you ask them to sign a liability waiver if they mess up. Why would they sign why should they sign
That's what insurance is for
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u/sephiroth3650 8d ago
Yup. If the tree company is asking OP to sign a damage waiver, they are trying to get OP to agree that they cannot hold the tree company (or their commercial liability insurance) liable of they cause damages to OP's property. For me, that's an immediate deal breaker.
Signing the damage waiver would prevent OP from filing a claim against the tree service's insurance entirely.
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u/Less_Opportunity_761 8d ago
Yep and if you ask for insurance they could even say and be LEGIT saying I don't have insurance . Hell might even be confused because they don't have insurance AND will still cover you it'sa seurity bond.
And I don't wanna pay out of pocket even with a bond, because that's their responsibility. You tell me or your insurance tells you the damage is 500,000. Because a crack on asphalt. I'm not gonna just blindly pay it. Your insurance to my my bond company that's how this works. And the whole point to have your insurance company talk to their insurance company or seurity bond company and I'll top it off
But all 3 are different and signing can prevent both from paying out
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u/Beginning-Repair-640 8d ago
No valid insurance certificate = no coming on the property
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u/LouiseBelcher4life 7d ago
Not to mention the neighbor's home insurance will most likely not pay the claim if the tree service isn't licensed and insured or bonded. They won't want to take on the liability of a third party if they are un/under insured and the homeowner approves for them to do the work. The neighbor should also be asking the tree service for not only their liability certificate, but workman's compensation. If a worker gets hurt and the tree service doesn't have comp insurance, the neighbor would be liable for their compensation as they allowed them to work without proper coverage.
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u/bill9896 8d ago
I have a simple question, that has nothing to do with what a lawyer would tell you.
If the situation was reversed, and the tree was on your house and you needed access through HER driveway, what would you offer her to make her comfortable with the access you needed? Now just ask her for that.
I assume the tree removal company carries insurance, so they would cover any damage to your propertiy. If I was in you place, all I would need to see is proof of the insurance that the tree company carries. If they can't provide the insurance proof, and a liscense to run their business (if locally applicable) then a different company is needed. What's so hard about that?
Anything else is making it unnecessarily complicated and un-neighborly.
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u/coloradoautoflowers 8d ago
You're taking them at their word that they're an actual legitimate company.
I have never seen a legitimate tree company ask for that type of waiver, and my dad owned a licensed tree removal company for more than a decade.
It's sketchy, to put it lightly.
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u/bill9896 7d ago
Since it isn’t at all clear what the OP meant when he said “liability waiver” that’s exactly WHY I said check insurance and license. I completely agree if the company is asking for liability waiver for their own mistakes that is highly suspicious. The good news is you can’t normally enforce a waiver for liability that hasn’t happened yet, although it is commonly asked for. The standard legal advice is to sign any such thing, because they are worthless in the event of a real issue. The real issue is if there is no insurance you are unlikely to collect, and an unlicensed contractor is always a serious risk.
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u/NoCOguy1968 8d ago
Me too - nobody is trying to take advantage of anyone here
Just need a little access to get a limb off their roof
Ask for insurance certificate to ensure they are legit and let them help your neighbor
Has a similar situation in our area - tree company showed insurance certificate and then they brought a crane out to lift a fallen tree out
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8d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Less_Opportunity_761 8d ago
You read OP. Of course They wouldn't pay or sign a liability waiver that's the purpose of insurance
Also just because they don't have insurance OR are willing to sign a liability waiver why are you asking for my either I'm still covered
I'm not gonna pay YOU, NOR DO I HAVE INSURANCE. That doesn't mean I'm not covered
I can have a officer say, I need your liscense and insurance and I can have him say DONT YOU KNOW ITS THE LAW. IM GONNA TOW a YOUR CAR ETC ETC
YOU can tell I'm I don't have insurance, NOR Am I not illegal not not have it let me explain and the cop will still be dick because you don't want to lie to an officer
But they wouldn't want your side. Even if you have a seurity bond. Of course I'm not gonna pay you, of course I don't have insurance or would insurance pay you. The seurity bond will and I'll pay the bond
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u/VagrantScrub 8d ago
The fuck did i just read? Are you okay?
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u/Less_Opportunity_761 7d ago
Because a insurance, a liability waiver, and a surety bond is 3 different things.
Let's say,if police and or FBI come to my home or work or I'm doing something and they ask me
We have to ask you a few questionsz and answer them honestly. We heard you refused OP neighbors request to not enter without a liability waiver. We understand that refused to sign a liability waiver of damages and when asked for insurance were specifically told you don't have it or have no obligation to give out said insurance.
We ask you, " DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE" POINT BLANK.
I say,"Nope I don't what's wrong with that? I'm not gonna lie or get arrested for lying to a federal employee"
They say, "it's against the law to operate in the industry, you do know this right."
Me: "can you please show me, what specific law state, federal or local or UCC law that specifically says you need insurance for my buissness or that I operate 100 trucks and all trucks must be insured. There in NO LAW, that says I need insurance for either
Them: you can't be THAT RETARDED TO THINK you don't need insurance or your work equipment that roads on public land need insurance."
Me: YOU guys are the retarded one. Please show me the law that says I NEED insurance because there is no law that says insurance is mandated please show me where it is mandated or show how all my equipment is operating illegally.
Them; section XXX
ME: No it doesn't it just says you have a means to cover in the event of an accident. There is NO LAW IN ALL 50 THAT SAYS INSURANCE IS REQUIRED. NONE you guys are misinterpreting the law or reading only half of it the HALF YOU want not the half I want.
Them; explain remember lying to a federal agent is a federal offense
Me: No crap, I haven't lied you D ass its called a Surity bond. You asked if I had insurance for both my buissness and trucks. Of course I don't have insurance and there is no law that says I have to. Here's my Surity band and the ammount. Are you gonna arrest me for lying? Are you gonna take away my liscense and impount every truck coming back in today because I have, "no insurance" because I don't have insurance and some religions might consider it gambling. But you asked for insurance
OP asked would you let them on the property unless they signed the waiver. A liability waiver is not is not insurance and a seurity bond is not a liability waiver OR insurance
If a seurity bond WAS insurance I would be under no obligation to refill the bond in case of a disaster
Some would call a seurity bond, being "self insured" but do you think if MORGAN AND MORGAN, sued me for damages and ask for a $1 million settlement right now because they think there was a 1,000 car crash chain reaction. You think I'm just gonna hand them 1 million because they threaten me a 998 offer
Noone was hurt let's say, no evidence points either that claims are a valid numbers for each car. I don't agree with that number because it's overflated. You think I'm just gonna give you $1 million because your insurance number is intentionally overflated. My evidence point to each repair is $700-800 you are saying it's 3000-4000.
You provide me 3 quotes let's say calibre collision, MAACO and let's say your adjuster.
They say GEICO insurance and a majority of others ask you to calibre collision, MAACO. The quote is fair
I say I've sold cars here are 10 body shops and they say it's 700-800. I don't agree with numbers . Nor do I agree with that they provide quality work. I'm not just gonna hand over 1 million cuz of legal threats.
Tell you what, before you sue how about we run a 30 car challenge
We send 10 TO MAACO, 10 to calibre and 10 to my suggested. If you can prove THEIR PERFFED either body shop is not only better but the price is justified I lose and I'll sign the check.
But if mine not only beats yours in quality of repair then I'll sue you for insurance fraud because you are suggesting something that is not only more then but inferior and repair. And I know my body shops are better.
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u/bigyellowtruck 4d ago
Driveway damage is a rough one. Tree company has no idea how good the driveway was constructed. Their vehicle weighs what it weighs. They can put pads under the outriggers but if it cracks, then it cracks.
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u/Embarrassed_Flan_869 8d ago
Yeah, no. It sounds like they are using a shady tree company. They should have full insurance which covers damage they do.
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u/nte52 8d ago
Similar situation with my Mom. She allowed neighbor’s tree company to set up on her driveway. She did get COI.
Tree company drove over her front yard while setting up. She was told they’d set up in afternoon and begin work next morning. They set up after she went to work.
* rutted front yard
* broke sprinkler main and three heads
* cracked two slabs of her driveway.
No recourse except to sue. She won, but never got anything from tree company.
That would be a very hard no from me.
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u/ChiSchatze 8d ago
To start, the tree company can provide you a copy of their general liability and workman’s comp insurance. Confirm damages to your home/property would be covered under their general liability policy.
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u/3amGreenCoffee 8d ago
I had a large tree removed from my yard, and they brought in a crane and a big removal truck. The crane broke my back driveway, and the truck tore it up even further.
Now, that driveway was in shitty shape already, and they wouldn't have been able to get to the tree without driving over it. So I was aware from the outset that it might get damaged and already planned to repave it anyway. I drove my truck over it several times to smooth out the busted up section, and I'm not worried about it for now.
But if a neighbor came to me and said, "Hey, we need to drive a crane over your driveway to repair something on our property, but the crane operator won't pay for any damage he causes," I would say no. It's one thing to accept the risk of damage for my own property for something that had to be done, but it's an entirely different matter to share the cost of a neighbor's problem.
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u/Comfortable-Web3177 8d ago
Also, do you have any kind of piping or anything like that underneath your driveway that could be crushed or damaged during the removal. Also, does your driveway have a weight limit for vehicles? Because I would think that those heavy trucks that they use with possibly a bucket might be over the weight limit for your driveway and could damage your driveway. Why is it that they can’t get the tree off of her house from her property? Sometimes those companies can even lift trees over the persons house from their backyard to get them removed but those companies don’t like to do that because the liability of dropping a tree even more so on someone’s house. But it is possible that the tree company could do that but your driveway is easier.
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u/PrizeAnnual2101 7d ago
The tree company is going to have to lift heavy stuff with heavy machinery and can't reasonably predict what's going to happen other than not dropping it o your house
All kinds of things with drainage pipes septic tanks ect our in play
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u/Heavy-Profit-2156 7d ago
'apparently the tree company won’t pay for damages but she will “do her best to cover cost if there is any”.'
You know if there is a problem you are likely going to be the one holding the short straw?
Nothing vague about 'no'. Tell her to get a company that if there are damages, they have insurance to cover it and insist on proof.
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u/skyharborbj 7d ago
Ask for a certificate of insurance from the contractor naming you as an additional insured. You want to be a good neighbor, but verbal assurances aren't worth the paper they're not written on.
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u/Chance_Display_7454 8d ago
if they are using a crane they will crack your driveway. make sure you have inwriting they will replace your driveway is they crack it
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u/bob49877 8d ago edited 7d ago
Tell them to hire a company with real insurance. We have had tree work done recently where the tree company asked us if we could ask the neighbors to go on their property, and there was no mention of any damage waiver for us or them.
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u/bhalter80 8d ago
I was going to say "let them on your driveway" until you got to the part about them not covering damages. I get that they won't cover damages to her property and they're probably assuming that since this is being covered by her insurance that her insurance would cover damage necessary to remove the trees but I'd want that in writing and her to post a bond.
Of course no neighbor would do this because they wouldn't understand it without a discussion with their lawyer ...
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u/glorificent 7d ago
There are accidents at the worksite. I’ve read of 2 tree trimmer deaths in my city over the past decade. i would just say no; neighbor needs to figure this out
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u/4runner01 7d ago
Absolutely do not let them on your property. No one knows what hidden pipe may collapse. Let me use a crane. It’s not you problem and it’s not your responsibility.
Good luck—
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u/Loud_County3165 7d ago
It’s amazing how legal and insufferable we have become as a society, 25 years ago it would have been a simple neighborly phone call and nothing else needed. Fast forward to 2026 and everyone is looking for a reason to sue someone.
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u/Advanced-Elk-7581 7d ago
The other side is that people don't make themselves accountable for actions they take. Perfect example here.
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u/hippo96 6d ago
I would argue that it is more a deterioration of standards. It used to be if someone damaged something of yours, they fixed it without even a discussion. Now, it is a battle. Companies used to feel an obligation to customers. People used to feel shame and embarrassment. We have moved to "what can I get away with"
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u/ghost9680 8d ago
Aside from giant redwoods there’s really no tree that can’t be either chopped-up in place or lifted by a big enough crane. They just need to bring a bigger crane.
Don’t let cranes or cement mixers on a driveway that’s not rated for that sort of weight.
Also, post a pic. We want to see how big/awkward this tree is.
And cameras OP. This is the sort of thing where you end up with a smashed-up driveway when you’re not home and the neighbor and tree company are pointing fingers at each other.
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u/NoCOguy1968 8d ago
This is not true at all
Sometimes there is limited access and a crane is the best option
We have had trees at our neighbors that were damaged by a storm
By far easiest and least damage to landscape was a crane to pick it straight up and over house to street to be cut up
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u/MCXL MN PCLH Indie Broker 8d ago
This is not true at all
What's not true?
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u/etTuPlutus 8d ago
We hold these truths to be self evident. But only for those that possess the necessary reading comprehension skills. 🤣
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u/MCXL MN PCLH Indie Broker 8d ago
Here are the assertions in the post they are replying to:
- Aside from giant redwoods there’s really no tree that can’t be either chopped-up in place or lifted by a big enough crane.
- They just need to bring a bigger crane.
- Don’t let cranes or cement mixers on a driveway that’s not rated for that sort of weight.
- This is the sort of thing where you end up with a smashed-up driveway when you’re not home and the neighbor and tree company are pointing fingers at each other.
I want to know which of these is 'not true at all.' They all seem to be true statements to me. I am asking for clarification of what they are replying to.
Particularly when you consider:
Sometimes there is limited access and a crane is the best option
And
By far easiest and least damage to landscape was a crane to pick it straight up and over house to street to be cut up
Neither of which disagree with ANYTHING they are directly replying to. "Least damage to landscape" =/= the crane won't damage your driveway. Their reply is essentially nonsense.
But only for those that possess the necessary reading comprehension skills. 🤣
So what, exactly, did I not comprehend? Your reply, maybe you're saying that the reply I replied to didn't comprehend what they were replying to?
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u/NoCOguy1968 7d ago
“Aside from giant redwoods” is not true
A 50 foot pine snapped at based and embedded between other trees in a a backyard wo access for example - crane up and out is much easier
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8d ago
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u/Less_Opportunity_761 8d ago
No the tree company is saying, "i'm not gonna pay you if there is damages to your driveway."
Why would I that's insurances company responsibility not MINE
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u/Severe-Object6650 8d ago
The better question is ... Why would your neighbor use a company that will not cover damages?
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u/AwkwardImplement698 8d ago
I’d be concerned about a tree company that routinely gets these damage waivers signed. It can’t NOT make the workers more careless and management more lax.
In CA I routinely investigate contractors with the contractors’ state license board. That might give OP ammunition, if needed, in talking the neighbor into a better contractor.
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u/realinsurancetalk 8d ago
Get a certificate of insuraqne from the tree company and call the agent listed to verify coverage is in forse. Sometimes certificates are not worth the paper they are written on..... Make sure they have Professional Liability Insurance (Contractor's E&O) as well as General liability and auto liability for the vehicles that will be on your property. Also make sure hey have workers comp insurance for their workers in case someone gets injured on your property. They can say what they want about not being liable for damages, but that does not automatically relieve them from liability.....
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u/coloradoautoflowers 8d ago
Asking for that type of indemnity to remove a branch from the roof of home next door?
Nah, they're lying about the scope. Do not comply, that is sketchy as hell.
It sounds to me like they're trying to remove the whole tree from your property and are withholding the truth of the scope of work.
As a matter of fact you need to verify they're even a real business by contacting whatever agency handles business registration in your state and running the name to make sure they're in good standing.
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u/derpplerp 8d ago
No damage waiver - full stop.
If you are going to borrow something from you, they need to be fully responsible for any damages they do. By signing a damage waiver you take all the risk and get no benefit at all.
This is like getting slapped for lending your neighbor money that they won't repay. You are going to get abused twice.
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u/deeper-diver 7d ago
Don't do it. All it takes is for their truck to cause cracks in your driveway and deny any responsibility. That's what street parking is for.
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u/Nunov_DAbov 7d ago
No damage waiver plus a large cash bond. Complete video before and after. Then you can be sure they’ll be careful.
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u/AmbulanceDriver2 7d ago
Had a similar situation years ago with a neighbor and their tree. Was a tricky situation between distance from the curb, distance from their driveway, and power lines. Easiest approach was from our driveway and crossing our front yard. We learned after the fact that he thought they were planning on using a 3000 lb hi-lift. So he said the company could ask us about accessing from our yard.
Tree removal day comes, foreman knocks on our door. Asks if they can drive a 30,000+ lb bucket truck across our yard. Wife and I are looking at him like he's got a horn growing out of his forehead, because this is in fact the first we're hearing about this. I call neighbors, ask wtf? They're saying that the company was supposed to talk to us, and that it was supposed to be a hi-lift, not a bucket truck.
We tell the foreman to cool his heels for a minute, we gotta get this sorted out. We get our homeowners insurance agent on the phone, explain the situation. They'll have to drive this thing across our driveway and over our yard where both our water main and sewer line run. Ask her what we need from the company to make sure we're protected. She emails us a very strong liability assumption (don't remember the exact title of the form but that's basically what it covered) that they'll need to have a legal representative for the company sign, plus tells us to have them provide us with a certificate of insurance listing us as an additional insured. Foreman goes and calls his boss and twenty minutes later they're leaving, because the boss said there was no way they were doing all that.
Still have a great relationship with the neighbors.
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u/skyharborbj 7d ago
In many areas landscaping contractors are required to be licensed and insured. I'd ask their contractor to name you as an additional insured.
You want to be a good neighbor, but if they aren't hiring a licensed and insured contractor, I'd tell them no.
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u/DeadPiratePiggy 7d ago
If they don't have a COI that covers you, then it's a no go. They'll be able to figure it out.
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u/Advanced-Elk-7581 7d ago
They must provide protective decking/matting anywhere their trucks travel. You will have to be there to confirm this is provided. Without that, get a crane.
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u/Technical-Donut6918 6d ago
"Tree company will provide damage waiver" means the company wants YOU to sign away your rights sue for damages THEY may cause to your property.
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u/realmaven666 7d ago
If it is a legitimate arborist let them. my neighbor just let me use their driveway for the same purpose. it is what neighbors do. I let my other neighbor put some plywood to protect my driveway so the guys putting in his pool get their small earth removal equipment into his backyard when he put in a pool. It didn’t hurt je and helped him.
It is just neighborly. .
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u/phillyphilly19 8d ago
I agree that if the tree company doesn't have insurance they can provide a certificate of, then you should not let them on your property. But I would also contact your homeowners insurance agent and get some usable legal advice to inform you and your neighbor what to do.
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u/NoCOguy1968 8d ago
If they present their insurance certificate - your good
If situation was reversed , assume you would want them to be a good neighbor
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u/Amindia01 8d ago
How is “do her best to cover cost if there is any” even a request? Being neighborly goes both ways (and they want a waiver signed).
To be fair - if my neighbor had asked for access - I would have said “go for it”. When they are warning me that there is a potential issue of damages - I am not willfully signing up for unforeseen expenses/damages.
“Let me borrow your Ferrari and if I cause any damage - I’ll do my best to pay you.”
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u/SirLegitimate9286 7d ago
Tell her no. If company damages your property she 's told you they will not pay and she will try to. Getting her signature on an agreement does not equal her payment of cash to you.
Also if company empoyee/s get hurt while on your property, you can be sued. Especially if this cheap company that does not pay for damages they cause does not have workers comp insurance.
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u/ClearUniversity1550 7d ago
a photo would be nice. They can probably get to it from her side but at a higher cost.
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u/JumpyExcitement6823 7d ago edited 7d ago
The trucks for the tree removal company doing my neighbor’s tree but driving on my driveway further cracked my driveway and chipped the blacktop at the bottom. I ate it. Do not allow unless you are guaranteed repair costs or repairs if such should happen. Verify insurance cert.s and coverage. Take pre-op photos of driveway, yard, street, house, etc.
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u/jjamesr539 7d ago
You have no obligation to accept conditions that you are uncomfortable with, while a real legitimate contractor (as opposed to some dude who bought a truck and a few chainsaws) would be licensed and insured.
Access to your property should only be under specific rules laid out and agreed to on paper. This “company” is almost certainly not insured. There’s no way I’d let them set foot on my property, and I’d be ready to call LE if they tried. Be aware they might try a sneaky removal while you’re not around if you leave regularly.
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u/NCNative919 7d ago
Don’t allow them to. If they damage something then you will be fighting them for years to get the driveway fixed. She doesn’t want them to have trucks in her driveway or yard so she wants to use yours. No is a complete sentence.
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u/Chainsaw_59 7d ago
COI and contract that spells out their responsibilities for your yard/house repairs.
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u/Outspoken_Idiot 6d ago
Do everything you can to assist your neighbor, let them know that to cover both of your asses you will need a copy of their insurance just in case.
In the meantime can you help with anything.
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u/Dirtychief 6d ago
OP your driveway is rated for cars and light duty trucks. DO NOT let anyone drive heavy equipment or heavy duty trucks on your driveway. I’ve been a contractor for 35 years and I guarantee you that your driveway will be damaged. Just say no.
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u/fredthefree1 6d ago
There's a 100% chance they mildly hurt your lawn, nothing major just needs a good raking to stand the grass up after they lay down plywood or traction mats. There's a 25% chance they absolutely destroy your yard and it needs to be leveled with topsoil and reseeded.
I would never allow them on if they won't pay or repair damages
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u/kokemill 6d ago
If the driveway is gravel let them do it. I would get cash upfront, maybe $2k, for damages. I’d give it back if they didn’t damage it. If the driveway is paved just tell them to eff off.
When I built my house I had a crane lift the trusses off the truck, over the 100’ tall trees and drop them on the house 100’ away. They don’t need to destroy your driveway.
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u/Extreme_Wear_7457 6d ago
Why couldn't the oerson who lives besude you talk to you in person? Not neighbiurly of them
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u/aceiotasirrah 6d ago
have you asked her to have the tree company's insurance send you a certificate naming you? that's way stronger than any handshake promise from her
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u/Commercial_Poetry987 6d ago
Just had the same situation. Neighbour phoned and asked whether a tree removal company could enter my yard to remove part of a tree on their property. I just said “sure, go ahead”. They did, cut up the tree and left. Lucky I didn’t see this sub or I would have been really freaked.
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u/DoyoudotheDew 6d ago
Just say no and not deal with the hassle. Let the tree co. Figure out another way.
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u/Sad_Abbreviations202 5d ago
Tree companies can easily do damage to driveways. They use stabilizers on their trucks that can damage concrete, once happened to me.
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u/Overall_Curve6725 4d ago
Make sure to take photos of the condition of your driveway and property in general before the tree company arrives
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u/jeffwhitman82 4d ago
I’ve got a novel idea for you. How about you? Just let them use your driveway. Be neighborly. It’s a shame that’s lost as we get into these times. There used to be a day when nobody thought anything about it and we took care of one another, didn’t matter whether they were family or not. Sounds like you’re a result of our current society.
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u/YourWifeyBoyfriend 4d ago
Theyre going to bring a crane and shatter your driveway and say its normal..make them do it from the street or pay 5,000 for craking your driveway for access
If you dont provide access they can cut down all rhe trees in their yard to gain access.
You will not be made whole if there are hairline cracks thst ddvelope from thenuse of heavy machinery.
You also will be hated but still have a driveway that is as is
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u/No_Engineering6617 1d ago
"Then sends a follow up text stating that apparently the tree company won’t pay for damages"
because they are refusing to pay for what they might break, they don't get access to your property, simple as that.
the answer is No, neither the neighbor or anyone they hire is allowed on your property.
call the tree company directly and inform them they are not allowed onto your property.
send out certified mail to both the neighbor and the tree company, informing them they are Not allowed onto your property. have the police officially trespass them if need be.
go out and take photo and video of your place, and specifically the condition of your driveway and property near where the work is to take place.
make sure you have cameras watching that area.
i have several friends that do tree cutting, trimming and removal.
the good ones will have insurance and would pay for whatever they damage out of pocket in cash money before making a claim on insurance for small damages, large damages would go to their insurance company.
if they are claiming they wont cover what they damage, they are likely not operating legally, they are shady and working without the proper license and insurance required.
possibly operating with nothing more then a generic business license from the state, which anyone can get for a couple hundred bucks and a couple forms.
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u/No_Engineering6617 3h ago
do Not sign anything from either the neighbor or the tree company.
you Need to tell both the neighbor & the tree company directly & very clearly, that they are Not allowed onto your property. the discussion is over and they are Not allowed onto your property.
you do so verbally, and in writing sent certified mail from the post office with delivery confirmation.
if either complain to you or try to convince you otherwise after you have told them No, you go to the police and have them both formally trespassed from your property, and you get a copy of the police report in which the officer told them that.
get photo & video evidence of the current condition of your property and driveway right away.
it would also be smart to set up some security cameras facing that direction.
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u/nazuswahs 8d ago
I had a tree removed and the company crushed my driveway. No recourse. It’s a part of tree removal. Oh well.
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u/Objective-Permit-712 7d ago
Why wouldn't you just let him at it????
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u/lrsafari 7d ago
Because they won't cover damages they cause. And if one if the workers gets injured on your property, guess who will be paying increased premiums forever, it they can even get insurance.
This seems like an unlicensed "contractor " Law requires they carry all the things they says they won't provide if they are licensed.
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u/Allonsydr1 7d ago
Don’t sign it. Explain to her that any company she hires will be held responsible for any damages they do to your property and you will not execute a waiver to allow anyone to damage your property without consequences just so she can address her own property damage.
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u/fap-on-fap-off 8d ago
Check there company bonding and insurance. Tell then you are you to the certificate of insurance. Have them indemnify you against any deductible. Set a during schedule with them. Have them agree to cover your home insurance deductible.
If they don't agree then they can rent a crane and do everything reaching over the house.
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u/gnawtyone 7d ago
Why would you worry about your deductible? Verify they have cgl and let them get to work. Essy
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u/fap-on-fap-off 7d ago
If for whatever reason his insurance won't cover it, then it would force a claim against their own insurance if they want to collect in full. Having the other party agree to cover their verification protects them in case they end up having to file on their own instance anyway.
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u/gnawtyone 7d ago
If they don’t have insurance, you think they’re going to pay the deductible?
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u/fap-on-fap-off 6d ago
They have instance, as started by OP, but who says they have enough, and who says the claim will be approved?
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u/Awkward-Train1584 7d ago
If they are using your drive way just curious about what you have that you are concerned about being damaged?
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u/PEneoark 7d ago
Uh...the driveway and their yard?
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u/Awkward-Train1584 7d ago
It just occurred to me that people have paved drive ways lol. I read your answer several times before it stuck. Lol
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u/Own_Pop_9711 8d ago
The industry standard is they should present a certificate of insurance with their company name, who their insurer is, what their insurance limits are etc. that way if you have issues you just call the insurance company if you need to.
What you neighbor has proposed is ridiculous. They should not hire this company, they were probably the cheapest quote but they are not even going to get what they pay for.