Driver ‘angry, depressed’ that apartment complex won’t pay after tree falls on car

CHARLOTTE — Kimberly Booker says she was at the Cedar Knoll apartment complex in southwest Charlotte and a tree fell on her car.

“Go start it up, motor, ‘vroom,’ nice, it sounds good ... but it’s damaged,” Brooker said. “It’s totally damaged. The tree was actually sticking inside my car.”

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It was dented, and the sunroof and back window were shattered.

The complex emailed Action 9 that it wasn’t at fault, so its insurance won’t cover the damage and that Booker should lean on her own insurance.

“While this was certainly an unfortunate situation, and we are sympathetic to what Ms. Booker and the other individuals experienced, incidents like this are generally the reason vehicle owners are encouraged to maintain automobile insurance, which is designed to help protect against unexpected events and losses,” the landlord said.

Unfortunately, Booker says she only carried liability -- not collision or comprehensive -- coverage. So, she’d have to pay for the repairs herself, which she says she can’t afford.

“Angry. Depressed. I’m mad,” she said.

Action 9 attorney Jason Stoogenke says, usually, it’s not about who owns the tree. It’s about where it lands. So -- if a tree falls on your house or car -- use your own insurance. Hopefully, you have the right coverage. That said, if the tree owner was to blame, you or your insurance may consider going after them. An exception: If someone -- like a tree company -- actively knocked the tree over, start with ‘their’ insurance.

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