Does Home Insurance Cover Fence Damage? Exclusions & Claims

December 18, 2025

Does Home Insurance Cover Fences? A Guide to Coverage and Claims

Installing a quality fence is a significant investment in your property’s privacy and security. Naturally, homeowners want to know if their investment is protected against damage. The short answer is: Yes, standard homeowners insurance typically covers fence damage, but only if the damage is caused by a sudden, unexpected event (a covered peril) and not due to neglect.
As installation experts, Elite Fence helps clients understand the financial impact of their fencing choice and the necessary steps to take if damage occurs.

Does Home Insurance Cover Fence Damage?

Fences are generally covered under the “Other Structures” portion of a standard homeowners policy (often labeled as Coverage B). This section protects structures on your property that are not attached to the main dwelling.
These typically include:

Fire or Smoke Damage
Vandalism or Theft
Falling Objects: Such as a healthy tree or heavy branches falling onto the fence.
Vehicle Impact: Damage caused by a neighbor’s car or another external vehicle.
Hail or Lightning
Fallen Fences: A fence that falls due to a covered peril (like wind or a falling tree) is typically covered.

What is Not Covered (Exclusions)

Home insurance is designed to cover sudden accidents, not gradual deterioration or poor maintenance. Coverage is generally denied for:

Wear and Tear: Damage caused by aging, weathering, or deterioration over time (e.g., rust on metal or general decay).
Lack of Maintenance: If a wooden fence was already rotting and failed due to neglected maintenance, the claim may be denied.
Pest Damage: Damage caused by termites, wood rot, or other insects.
Flooding: Damage from rising water (e.g., rivers, ground flooding) is never covered by a standard policy; it requires a separate flood insurance policy.
Earthquakes: Requires separate earthquake insurance.

Coverage Limits and the Homeowner’s Share

Even for a covered event, the amount you receive is subject to your policy’s financial limits. Before insurance pays anything, you must pay your deductible. If the cost of repairing the damaged fence panels is less than your deductible (e.g., $500 in damage with a $1,000 deductible), it is not worth filing a claim.

Are Fence Panels Covered by Home Insurance?

Yes, fence panels, posts, and rails are covered under the “Other Structures” limit. This coverage is typically capped at 10% of your home’s main dwelling coverage (Coverage A). For example, if your home is insured for $300,000, your fence and other detached structures are covered up to a maximum of $30,000.

Does Home Insurance Cover Fence Damage from Wind?

Yes, wind-related damage, including fence panels or posts blown over by a fierce storm, tornadoes, or hurricanes (unless wind is specifically excluded in your region/policy).

Can You Claim a New Fence on Your Home Insurance?

Yes, you can claim the cost of a new fence if the damage is so extensive that repair is not feasible, and the damage was caused by a covered peril. However, many policies only pay the Actual Cash Value (ACV) for fences. ACV means the insurer deducts depreciation (value lost due to age and wear) from the replacement cost. If you have an older fence, the payout may not be enough to cover the cost of a brand new one.

Is Garden Fence Covered in Home Insurance?

Yes, a standard garden fence or any fence defining the perimeter of your property is covered under the “Other Structures” provision, subject to the same rules and exclusions as the main fence line.

Professional Advice for Filing a Claim

If your fence suffers significant damage, follow these steps before contacting your insurer.

Document the Damage: Take clear, detailed photos and videos of the damaged fence panels, posts, and the surrounding area (including any fallen trees or debris) before clearing anything away.
Determine Ownership: If the fence is on a shared property line, determine who owns the fence, as you may be jointly responsible for the deductible with your neighbor.
Get an Estimate: Obtain a professional, detailed estimate from a licensed contractor like Elite Fence. This quote will help you compare the repair cost against your deductible to ensure filing a claim is financially worthwhile.
Review Maintenance: Be prepared to prove the fence was maintained well, as neglect (e.g., visible rot) can lead to claim denial.

Ready for a Durable, Insurable Fence? Contact Elite Fence

The best insurance against fence failure is quality construction and proper maintenance. Elite Fence specializes in installing durable materials like aluminum and vinyl that are highly resistant to the wind and moisture damage common in the Raymore, MO area, providing you with a sound long-term investment.

Start planning your project and get a preliminary budget using our online fence estimator tool today!

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