Question is who owned the tree? It's just sheetmetal, find a donor car for the roof windshield and door, it's all fixable.
If a tree falls on a Cadillac and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Bummer about the car, though.
Hope he,s got a buy back clause in his insurance policy they might write it off, you know its just an old car.
wrong title for this thread - Ebbsspeed has a better one. wonder who lives at the house where Cadillac was attacked by the tree?
Ownership of the tree is irrelevant.......there is no liability attached to it. "Act of God" is how insurance companies treat fallen trees....unless the owner cut down the tree and caused the damage. This is how I know..........my OT shop truck last summer, after a windstorm blew down a neighbor's tree. Ray
Those trees are on city property (the area between the curb and sidewalk) and are trimmed and maintained by the city. If a tree is downed by a storm that normally wouldn't down a tree (such as this storm which was light wind and rain), diseased or in shaky condition, the owner can be held liable (in this case the City) and he may have a claim with them. At any rate, a real bummer for the owner. The A pillar is a bad spot to take a hit.
While I agree that SHOULD be the case......don't count on it. Even if the situation was due to neglect that had been documented and brought to the attention of the tree's 'owner', most insurance companies will pay their insured (car's owner) for the loss and they may, or may not, go after the other party (Subrogation). If the car's owner doesn't have property insurance on the vehicle, they would likely be SOL unless they hired an attorney to pursue the tree owner. Adequate Insurance - Don't leave home without it. Ray
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