Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fences?
Understand if your homeowners insurance covers fence damage. Learn what's typically included, excluded, and how to navigate policy details and claims.
Homeowners insurance policies offer financial protection for your property, but understanding the specifics of what they cover can be complex. Many homeowners wonder if their policy extends to fence damage. The extent of coverage for a fence depends on the cause of damage and your policy’s specific terms.
How Homeowners Policies Classify Fences
Standard homeowners insurance policies categorize and cover fences under “Other Structures” coverage, often referred to as Coverage B. This part of your policy is designed for structures on your property not physically attached to your main dwelling. Examples include detached garages, sheds, gazebos, and fences.
This differs from “Dwelling” coverage (Coverage A), which protects the primary residence and any structures permanently affixed to it. The coverage limit for “Other Structures” is typically a percentage of your “Dwelling” coverage. Many policies set this limit at around 10% of your Coverage A. For instance, if your home’s dwelling coverage is $300,000, your fence and other detached structures would generally be covered up to $30,000.
Causes of Fence Damage Typically Covered
Homeowners insurance covers fence damage when it results from sudden and accidental events, often referred to as “perils.” Common perils that trigger coverage include fire, lightning, and windstorms. Damage from hail is also frequently covered under a standard policy.
Vandalism and theft are other events where fence damage or loss is covered. If a vehicle impacts your fence, this type of damage is included, even if it is your own vehicle. Additionally, damage caused by falling objects, such as a tree from your property or a neighbor’s property, is covered.
Common Exclusions for Fence Damage
Standard homeowners insurance policies contain exclusions for fence damage. Damage resulting from normal wear and tear, or a lack of maintenance, is not covered. This includes issues like rot, rust, and mold, which are considered preventable through regular upkeep.
Damage caused by insect infestations, such as termites, or by animals is excluded. Policies do not cover damage due to earth movement, like earthquakes, or damage from floods; these perils require separate, specialized insurance policies. Intentional damage caused by the insured or a member of their household is not covered.
Key Considerations for Coverage and Claims
Consider your policy’s financial implications when making a claim for fence damage. Deductibles apply to “Other Structures” claims; you pay a specified amount out-of-pocket before coverage begins. For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and the fence repair costs $3,000, the insurer would pay $2,000 after you cover your portion.
Review your “Other Structures” coverage limit, as this dictates the maximum amount your insurer will pay. If repair or replacement costs exceed this limit, you are responsible for the difference. For shared fences with neighbors, determining liability and coordinating claims can be complex, potentially involving both parties’ policies.
If your fence sustains damage, document it immediately with photographs and videos. Contact your insurance provider promptly to report the damage and understand their claim process. The insurer may request additional information, such as repair estimates or details about the damage cause, to process your claim.