Car Damaged By City Tree Loses Claim Fight

Alphonso Garcia is without a car thanks to a giant Ficus tree.

It fell onto the roof of his car that was parked along Magnolia Ave. in Goleta around midnight last Thursday.

Garcia said city workers quickly came to cut the tree down and take it away, but when he filed a claim the city’s insurance agent said it would not be covered.

The city has an Arborist who checks on the health and safety of local tree. City officials chose not to comment on this case but in similar cases around the state it is often blamed on an “Act of God ” and therefore not covered.

Garcia thinks the ongoing drought could be harming local trees.

” I feel wronged. I’m without a vehicle. It was a good car. It was good on gas. I live far from work, now I’m without a car and no one is taking responsibility. I’m hoping everyone down the road will know if you think you’re parked on city property and city property damages your personal property and you think they are going to cover it they’re not,” said Garcia.

Garcia did not have his own comprehensive coverage that may have covered the damage.

The damage is more than the car’s Blue Book value in this instance.

Garcia could file suit in small claims court but he is not sure what he is going to do.