A neighbor's tree has fallen into the insured's property. The homeowner's policy will NOT pay to remove the tree unless which condition is met?

The correct answer underscores an important element of homeowners insurance related to falling objects. In the case where a neighbor's tree has fallen onto the insured's property, the homeowner's policy provides for tree removal under specific circumstances. One of those conditions is that the tree must be causing damage or posing a hazard.

When a tree falls and blocks access to important areas such as a driveway, the situation effectively necessitates a response for safety and accessibility reasons. Essentially, if the fallen tree is obstructing the driveway, it creates a practical issue that would justify the expense of removal.

This aspect of the policy is designed not only to protect the structure and immediate property of the insured but also ensures that access is maintained for the homeowner’s use and safety. If the tree simply fell without causing any direct damage or posing any clear access issues, the homeowners policy would typically not cover the cost of its removal.

Thus, the requirement of the tree blocking the driveway aligns with the policy's purpose to address situations that pose a potential liability or inconvenience, which is why this condition is critical for triggering coverage for tree removal in this scenario.