If your fence was recently damaged by a storm or unexpected impact, you may be worried about your upcoming costs. Your insurance may cover some or all of your fence damage, depending on the circumstances surrounding it. Let’s find out if your homeowners insurance covers fence damage. When a storm, a falling tree, or a sudden accident damages your fence, the first question most homeowners ask is simple: does homeowners insurance cover fence damage?
Insurance Coverage Depends on the Source of the Damage
Most homeowners insurance policies will cover fence damage from a natural disaster, heavy wind, fire, a fallen tree, and other issues beyond your control. However, it will not cover damage due to wear and tear or improper maintenance. What if your fence falls over because the posts were not properly secured to the ground, your insurance isn’t going to cover that. If your dog chews through your fence pickets, insurance won’t cover that either.
If you need help deciphering your coverage, contact your insurance agent and explain the situation. They can quickly tell you if the damage is potentially covered or not covered at all. If a windstorm has knocked down or blown down a section of your fence, that’s treated the same way as other wind-related storm damage — generally covered, as long as the fence was in good repair before the storm hit.
What If My Neighbor’s Tree Falls on My Fence?
If your neighbor’s tree falls on your fence, your insurance should still cover the damages. Your insurance company may pursue reimbursement from your neighbor or your neighbor’s insurance company if the damage was the result of improper maintenance or negligence. For example, if the neighbor failed to cut down a tree that was already leaning, the damage was preventable. Nevertheless, you will only have to cover your deductible either way. You may be able to get that money back if the neighbor is found negligent.
Will My Homeowners Insurance Pay for a New Fence?
There is no clear answer to this question. In most cases, the insurance will cover fence repair, not full fence replacement. If the majority of the fence was damaged though, the repair may turn into a replacement. Your insurance company will only pay for a comparable replacement. If you have a wood fence and want a vinyl fence, your insurance company will only pay for the wood fence that directly replaces your existing fence. You would have to pay the difference if you wanted to upgrade.
Keep the upgrade in mind if your insurance is going to pay for most of your new fence. That’s the best time to get the fence of your dreams without having to pay the full price out of pocket. Use this opportunity to get cedar fencing instead of pine. Get an aluminum fence instead of chain link. Explore all your options. You might be surprised by how affordable they can be!
How Much Will Homeowners Insurance Pay for Fence Damage?
Homeowners insurance typically pays for fence damage under what’s called “other structures” coverage — the part of your policy covering structures on your property that aren’t attached to your house, like a fence, a detached shed, or a garage. That coverage is usually capped at a percentage of your overall dwelling coverage limit, commonly around 10%. If your home is insured for $300,000, for example, your other structures coverage might max out somewhere around $30,000 — typically more than enough for fence repairs on its own, but that limit is shared across every other qualifying structure on your property, not just your fence.
Your actual percentage and dollar limit are spelled out on your policy’s declarations page, so it’s worth checking that number rather than assuming a large claim will be fully covered. If you’re not sure how to read it, your insurance agent can point you to the exact figure in a couple of minutes.
Consider Your Deductible before Filing an Insurance Claim
Before you file an insurance claim for fence damage, factor in your deductible. Unfortunately, your deductible may be the same price or higher than the cost of your fence repair. Filing an insurance claim could affect your rates moving forward, and you’ll get little to no benefit from the process. Of course, if the deductible is far less than the fence damage, filing a claim could be worth the money you’ll save.
Documenting Fence Damage Before You File a Claim
Before you file a homeowners insurance claim for fence damage, a little documentation goes a long way toward a smoother, faster payout. Take clear photos of the damage as soon as it’s safe to do so — before any cleanup or temporary repairs — from a few different angles. Get at least one written repair estimate from a licensed fence contractor, since your insurer will want a real cost figure to work from, not just a description of the damage.
If a fallen tree, vehicle, or another identifiable cause is involved, note that cause specifically — it affects whether the claim is covered at all, and whether your insurer may seek reimbursement from someone else’s policy. Keep your photos, your estimate, and any correspondence with your insurance company until the claim is fully resolved.
If you’d like a quote for fence repair after storm damage, contact All Around Fence at (443) 838-9374. We offer no-interest financing for a limited time, and we will gladly work with your insurance company to manage your claim. Reach out to schedule your no-obligation consultation.
