LOS ANGELES — After the recent storms wreaked havoc across Southern California, a tornado touching down in Montebello, snow levels trapping residents in the San Bernardino Mountains to downed power lines and more.

One Woodland Hills neighborhood also experienced a large, decades-old tree come crashing down, blocking off a cul-de-sac and crushing Jodi Pisano’s family car.

“We’re lucky it was just the car and not my house, not me or my son or anyone else from my family. We’re lucky in that regard, but it was definitely scary,” Pisano said.

Her car was deemed totaled by her insurance company from the damage, she added. But when Pisano tried to file a claim first with her neighbor’s homeowner’s insurance, she received a denial of coverage letter.

“My neighbor whose tree it was filed a claim with their insurance company, so we called and told them what happened, and they immediately denied coverage, saying it was an act of god," she said.

That clause essentially means that the insurance company or neighbor wouldn’t be liable for an accident or natural event causing the tree to fall. In this type of case, Tony Cignarale, the deputy commissioner with the California Department of Insurance said, there has to be proof of negligence. He also said, these types of claims are typically covered by a car owner’s comprehensive insurance, which is what Pisano used. Cignarale said it’s also a good reminder to check your insurance policies.

“Most homeowner’s insurance will cover tree falling other windstorm damage. It won’t cover flood, in most cases, because flood insurance would be a separate coverage that you would get through the federal flood program or through a private flood insurance company. But it will cover most storm damage, including wind blowing down a tree.”

Cignarale said flood insurance could cover “landslide, mudslide and debris flow. Those would be generally excluded from your homeowner’s insurance policy.”

For Pisano, it was a close call.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one that is in this position with these rains and stuff. I’ve seen trees go down all over the valley,” she said. “I just want people to be aware and to take another look at your insurance policy.”

Cignarale recommends that anyone in need of assistance with any insurance policy coverage or claim questions to reach out to the California Department of Insurance by calling 1-800-927-4357 or by visiting its website.