Home Insurance My neighbor’s bamboo has invaded half way through my backyard and has damaged my shed. Can I claim it on his homeowners insurance? By Penny Gusner Penny Gusner Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. | Posted on July 16, 2014 Why you should trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing honest and reliable information so that you can make the best financial decisions for you and your family. All of our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. We maintain strict editorial independence from insurance companies to maintain editorial integrity, so our recommendations are unbiased and are based on a comprehensive list of criteria. You can make a claim, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll be compensated by your neighbor’s home insurance policy for the damage to your shed. If there is no law in your area regarding bamboo, the insurance company may easily say it’s not responsible for the bamboo that has crept into your yard and that you should take care of it yourself, which is your right once it is on your property. Or, if your neighbor just moved in and the bamboo was planted by the previous owner, then his insurance company could say he was not negligent because did not plant the bamboo and thus not liable for your damages. However, if your neighbor did plant the bamboo and there are laws or ordinances in your area against this, then it is likely your neighbor’s insurance company could find him negligent and accept your claim. If his home insurance provider doesn’t take your claim, you could speak to your homeowners insurance company and see if the damage to your shed is covered under the portion of your policy that covers “other structures.” If you run into dead ends with home insurance claims you could take your neighbor to court in hopes of obtaining a judgment against him for the damages and removal of the bamboo. Some states allow this under a nuisance law. For example, Connecticut’s Gov. recently signed into law Public Act 14-100 that profits people from planting invasive bamboo (here it’s called “running bamboo”) on their property within 40 feet of abutting property or public right of way. The law allows a violator to be subject to a $100 fine – and each day of a continuing violation is a separate offense so the fine amount can add up fast. Connecticut law also declares that running bamboo that grows beyond a person’s property line is a nuisance (a condition that interferes with the use or enjoyment of one’s property) and is a civil issue for which one can sue for damages, including the cost of removing bamboo that spread to a neighbor’s property. I’d recommend you check into your local and state laws to know where you stand, and then go forward trying to make a claim with your neighbor’s home insurance. Penny GusnerContributor  . .Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. In case you missed it What is HO-6 insurance? Average home insurance cost in 2023 What is dwelling coverage and how much do you need? Personal liability insurance: What it is and why you need it Renters insurance quotes: Compare rates Hurricanes and home insurance: 14 key questions answered Replacement cost policies for your home: Getting what you pay for How much do claims increase home insurance rates? Mobile home insurance: What does it cover and how much does it cost? Homeowners insurance basics Home Insurance Advisor The Best Cheap Homeowners Insurance of 2021: Guide How much flood insurance do I need? How to bundle home and auto insurance policies to save money The largest home insurance companies by market share Home Insurance Discounts Guide to dog liability insurance: cost and coverage Do you have an emergency go-bag? Most Americans don’t 1/1 Related Articles What is HO-6 insurance? By Shivani Gite Are landlords responsible for tree damage to your car? By Casey Bond Can my homeowners insurance get canceled because my house is empty? By Nupur Gambhir Does homeowners insurance cover laptop or computer damage? By Mark Vallet Does homeowners insurance cover car damage? By Nupur Gambhir Are drones covered by homeowners insurance? By Geoff Williams