Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fence Damage?

Home owners often don’t understand the extent of the coverage their home insurance policies provide. The good news is that homeowner’s insurance will cover damage to a fence – provided the damage was due to a covered cause. Depending on the policy, a covered cause may include damage due to a fire, storm, wind or vandalism.

Trees and Storms

If a neighbor’s tree or limb falls on a fence, a homeowner’s policy will typically pay to repair the damage. The same is usually true if a neighbor is cutting branches on their own tree and it damages the policy holder’s fence. Home owners should know that even if the insurance company covers the damage, they may seek to recover the money they paid out on the claim from the neighbor.

The situation can be different and no coverage provided if the insurance company decides the damage could have been prevented or avoided through regular upkeep and maintenance, or if the damage was due to the policy holder’s negligence. In hurricane prone South Florida, an insurance company may exclude damage caused by flooding and winds from the average homeowner’s policy.

Car Crash

While it’s not a regular occurrence, there are instances in which a vehicle leaves the road and crashes into a fence. A homeowner’s policy should pay for the damages. Typically, the driver of the offending vehicle is liable for the damage and their auto policy is responsible for paying for the damage. The home owner’s insurance company may fix the fence, while seeking restitution from the offending driver.

Not Covered

Damage occurring from normal wear, tear and aging of a fence isn’t covered under a homeowner’s policy. Insurance companies won’t pay for damage due to mold, fungus, termites and other detrimental insect pests. Dings and dents from lawnmowers aren’t covered. If damage to a fence was due to vandalism or a vehicle crashed into it, filing a police report is essential and may even be required by the insurance company.

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