I have a very large, healthy tree in my garden next to the public road and footpath. If it were to be blown down in a gale and damage a car, or injure someone, would I be held responsible? I do not at the moment have house insurance cover.
If the tree is healthy and showing no signs of weakness you would not be liable for any damage it caused if it was blown down. The damage would have been something you could not have foreseen, and over which you had no control. If on the other hand you had been warned that the tree was in poor condition and you did nothing you would be liable. I think it’s a mistake not to have household, and especially buildings, insurance, which ought to include public liability cover, since large sums are often at stake.