Sparkling ice-coated or snow-laden trees sure look nice, but the harm they can cause to your property is anything but pretty.

Fortunately, your homeowners policy pays for much of the damage that occurs when snow and ice storms send tree limbs crashing onto homes, garages, and fences.

Most standard homeowners policies pay for necessary repairs or replacement when falling objects, including trees and tree limbs, damage your insured property, according to the Texas Department of Insurance and the National Association of Independent Insurers. This coverage includes costs to cut up and haul away the tree or limb, as well as debris removal. Remember, however, that insurance company claim payments are reduced by your policy's deductible.

Here are some commonly asked questions, and the answers, about homeowners coverage of damage from falling trees and limbs.

Q: What is my insurance company responsible to pay for if a tree or tree limb fell on my house because of an ice storm?
A: If the tree or limbs damaged insured property, the insurance company must pay for repairing the damage to the insured property in accordance with your policy. The insurer must also pay (up to $500 maximum) to remove the tree from the premises.

Q: My insurance company only paid enough to have the tree removed from my house, but not to have it hauled away. Should the company also pay to have the tree cut up and hauled away?
A: Yes. Your homeowners policy covers the cost of removing the tree from your premises if it fell on and damaged insured property.

Q: A tree fell on my fence, but I was told there was no coverage to remove the tree since it did not fall on my house. Is this correct?
A: No. The policy automatically covers "other structures," for up to 10 percent of the amount of insurance on the dwelling. Other structures include such things as fences and outbuildings. Therefore, if the fence was damaged by the tree, the debris-removal provisions of your policy cover the cost of having the tree removed from your property.

Q: A tree fell down and landed in my yard. Is there coverage to have it removed?
A: No. The debris removal provision of your policy does not apply if the tree did not fall on and damage insured property.

Q: My neighbor's tree fell down and landed in my yard. Is there coverage to have it removed?
A: No. It doesn't matter who "owns" the tree. The debris removal provision of your policy does not apply if the tree did not fall on and damage insured property.

Q: An ice storm destroyed a beautiful old tree that will cost thousands of dollars to replace. Will my homeowners policy reimburse me for replacing it?
A: No. The standard homeowners policy covers the loss of trees, shrubs, and other landscaping as a result of fire, explosion, vandalism, and other such "named perils." However, it does not provide coverage of trees and other landscaping against weather-related damage.

Q: A tree fell on my car. Will my homeowners policy pay for the damage to my car and for removing the tree?
A: No. Homeowners policies do not cover vehicles. Since a car is not covered property, the debris removal provision of your policy will not pay to have the tree removed. You should contact your automobile insurance agent or company to determine if you have coverage for your damaged vehicle.