Are fences covered by home insurance?

Your homeowners insurance helps protect your home and what you’ve built around it. In some cases, that may include structures—like a fence—that aren’t attached to your house, but the details depend on your policy and coverage limits.

Typically, fences fall under other structures coverage. This is the part of a homeowners policy that can help pay to repair or replace things on your property that aren’t attached to your home, such as detached garages, sheds, gazebos, and fences.

When fence damage is typically covered

If your fence is damaged by a covered loss, your homeowners policy may help pay for repairs or replacement—up to your other structures limit and less your deductible. Covered losses commonly include events like:

• Windstorms and hail
• Lightning
• Fire and smoke
• A vehicle hitting the fence
• Vandalism

How fence claims are usually paid

When you file a claim for a covered loss, the repairs or replacement may be paid at actual cash value (ACV). ACV accounts for the fence’s age and condition, so it may not pay enough to replace the fence with brand-new materials.

In some situations, you may be able to get broader protection by scheduling a fence, when eligible. Scheduling can also allow replacement cost coverage (RCV) for that item, meaning it can be repaired or replaced with new property of the same kind and quality, subject to policy terms and your deductible.

• Wood fences: typically eligible for ACV only
• Non-wood fences: may be eligible to be scheduled and qualify for RCV, depending on your policy

What won’t be covered

Fences can take a beating over time. But insurance generally won’t cover damage from wear and tear, rot, or problems caused by lack of maintenance. Keeping your fence maintained can help it not only stand up better to storms but also avoid damage that wouldn’t be covered.

If your fence is damaged by a storm

Wind-related damage, including severe storms and tornadoes, is commonly covered by your home insurance if wind is a covered loss on your policy. If a storm damages your fence, your claim would typically be paid up to your other structures limit and less your deductible.

If a tree falls on your fence

If a tree falls on your fence due to a covered loss, like wind, your insurance will typically help cover the cost to repair or replace it, up to your other structures limit.

Your policy may also help pay to remove enough of the tree to complete the repair or replacement. However, if the tree doesn’t damage a covered structure, your insurer may not help pay for removal or cleanup. This is a great reason to go over your policy with your agent so you know what it does and doesn’t cover.

Tips for filing a fence insurance claim

If your fence is damaged and you plan to file a claim:

• Document the damage (date, weather, what you observed, etc.).
• Take photos from multiple angles and, if possible, include “before” shots of the fence.
• Avoid moving or cleaning up the damage, unless it’s needed for safety reasons.

At American Family Insurance, you can submit your claim online or by calling 1-800-MYAMFAM (692-6326) to talk with one of our trusted claims representatives. They’ll help guide you through the next steps.

Review your coverage and request a quote

It’s important to understand your homeowners coverage, limits, and options to help ensure your fence and other structures have the protection you want. Connect with an American Family Insurance agent  (Opens in a new tab) to review your policy or request a quote.

This article is for informational purposes only and includes information widely available through different sources. This article does not afford, offer, or guarantee any coverage.