Had a customer once who swore up and down that “no animal could possibly get up there” because his dog couldn’t. Next thing you know, he’s got a family of raccoons living rent-free in his attic, and I’m up there chasing them out (not my favorite part of the job). Overhanging branches are basically a wildlife highway. Yearly trim is smart, even if it stings the wallet. Insurance folks love seeing clean lines and no easy critter access—makes their job easier, too.
Trimming back those branches is one of those things people always put off, but it really does pay off in the long run. I’ve seen squirrels squeeze through gaps you wouldn’t believe, and raccoons are even worse. Insurance adjusters notice that stuff right away—if they see branches overhanging or signs of critter entry, your rates can go up fast. What I usually tell folks: once a year, walk the property, check for overhangs, and look for any signs of gnawing or droppings near the eaves. It’s a pain, but it beats paying more (or dealing with attic squatters).
I’ll admit, I always rolled my eyes when people said a tidy yard could really impact your insurance rates. Figured it was just another thing to nag homeowners about. But after my last renewal, I started paying more attention, especially after the adjuster pointed out a branch practically resting on my gutters. Couple months later, I got a notice about “potential liability” and a bump in the premium. Coincidence? Maybe. But I didn’t want to test it.
Here’s what’s worked for me—nothing fancy, just methodical:
1. Once every spring (or after a big storm if it’s been wild), I walk the perimeter and look up at the roofline. If I see any branches within a couple feet, they’re getting trimmed back.
2. Pay close attention to the corners and eaves. That’s where critters sneak in. Last year, found some chewed insulation near a downspout—turns out squirrels were using the branch as a bridge.
3. While I’m at it, I check for loose shingles or anything that looks like water might get in. Insurance folks seem to love finding reasons to call something “deferred maintenance.”
4. If you’re not comfortable on a ladder (I’m not as spry as I used to be), pay someone local to do it once a year. It’s cheaper than fixing raccoon damage or fighting with your insurance company over exclusions.
I don’t think it’s magic—sometimes rates just go up no matter what you do—but since making this little routine part of my spring chores, I haven’t seen another increase tied to “roof risk.” Could be luck, could be that adjusters have less ammo when they drive by. Either way, worth an hour of annoyance.
Funny thing is, I used to scoff at neighbors out there with their pole saws and trash bags... now that’s me on Saturday mornings. Go figure.
That’s honestly a smart approach. I used to think the same—like, how much could a few branches really matter? But after getting dinged for “deferred maintenance” on my last inspection, I started doing almost exactly what you described. The part about critters using branches as bridges?
Had raccoons do that here and it cost me way more than a quick trim would’ve. It’s wild how much insurance companies notice the little stuff. I’m not convinced it’s all about safety, but if it keeps the premiums steady, I’ll take it.“turns out squirrels were using the branch as a bridge.”
