Homeowner finds it difficult to cover storm damage following Monday’s derecho

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Storm damage from Monday’s thunderstorms and derecho is still being dealt with by some residents in Eastern Iowa.

The majority of the storm damage from this week has been removed, but the bill for all that labor still needs to be paid.

It’s not the first time Zach Metzler has had to cope with storm damage of this kind; during Monday’s storms, a branch from his neighbor’s tree broke and fell on his house, causing damage to his roof.

“That exact tree did a bunch of stuff in 2020, there was debris all across the driveway,” Metzler said.

The bill will fall on Metzler and his insurance even though the tree isn’t on his land.

“The responsibility there is on the person who has the property damage,” said Ed Faber, owner of Insurance Gurus.

Although Metzler claims his neighbor cannot afford to have the tree taken down, he expressed concern that it may do more harm in the future.

“Where does the conversation go from there. He straight up was like I can’t afford it, and I can totally relate to that, I couldn’t afford it either. So it’s like what are we gonna do,” Metzler said.

Insurance policies operate on the basis of liability in circumstances such as these, and according to Faber, Metzler is obligated to provide payment unless the tree’s threat to the neighboring property has been previously proved.

“If it’s knocked down due to the weather, due to an act of nature, the law says you’re not legally liable for that,” Faber said.

Though no one was harmed, according to Metzler, arranging the necessary funds to replace his damaged roof will be a great hassle.

“There’s a lot of pain and suffering in the finances and the stress of just trying to deal with it all and figure it out when you don’t know how you’re gonna figure it out.”