INSURANCE WON'T PAY TO REMOVE MASSIVE TREE THAT FELL IN LA MESA

By Miriam Raftery

September 24, 2014 (La Mesa)—An enormous eucalyptus tree stood 80 to 100 feet tall in front of Korey Mulvey’s home in La Mesa. But during the recent storm, the goliath tree came crashing down into his backyard and onto his swimming pool.

His insurance company, Liberty Mutual, has refused to pay the estimated $10,000 to $20,000 cost to chop up and remove the tree, which has a base two to three times wider than a man.

His daughter was home when the tree crashed down, but thankfully no one was hurt.

Liberty Mutual has said it would pay only $500 toward clean-up but may cover damage to the pool.   Mulvey is dismayed at the insurance company’s attitude. He says Liberty told him that basically, “Trees are supposed to withstand wind and if they fall on your property, you’re supposed to deal with it.”