Know How to File an Insurance Claim for Fence Damages

Fence damage can be costly for the homeowner depending on the size of the fence and the materials used. However, if we are talking about a residential fence, you may not have to pay the entire cost out of your pocket as certain homeowner’s insurance policies will cover all the costs.

Learn about when an insurance policy will cover fence costs, what to do before you file a claim, and how to file the claim so it will be accepted.

Fence Damage Coverage

Homeowner’s insurance policies do much more than cover anything catastrophic to the actual home. There are other sections in the policy that will cover structures and other buildings that are on the property. These structures can include detached garages, gazebos, sheds, playgrounds and fences.

Storm Damage Is Typically Covered

There will be limits on what the insurance company will cover based on how the damage occurred. Most weather-related occurrences, such as storm damage and wind damage, will be covered by insurance.

Flooding and Earthquakes Isn’t Typically Covered

Other natural occurrences, such as flooding and earthquake, won’t be covered. Many insurance companies require that homeowners purchase separate policies for earthquake and flooding to their homes. It is best to obtain separate policies if living in an area that is prone to these occurrences.

Tree Damage May Be Covered

Fallen trees may also be covered depending on how the tree fell. If it was knocked over by storms or winds, the insurance company will cover it as long as the tree was healthy and well maintained. If the tree was diseased or poorly maintained, you may have a harder time getting reimbursed for any repairs.

Also, it doesn’t matter if the neighbor’s owned the tree that hit the fence. You can still file a claim as your insurance company will go to their insurance company to be compensated.

Other Fence Damages That May Be Covered

Fire, lightning strikes, vandalism and car accidents may also be covered by your policy. Always file a police report for car accidents or acts of vandalism. These documents will provide further proof that the damage was not your fault and that you should be compensated.

What to Do Before You File

Important steps to take before filing an insurance claim for fence damage to your property.

Look Over Your Insurance Policy Details

Thoroughly read through your policy or contact an agent to find out just how much you will be compensated for the fence repairs. Homeowner’s insurance has payment limits set for other structures, as you may find that the policy has a 10% cap. The policy may also have a limit on how much the insurance company will pay for fallen tree and shrub removal.

Also, you want to check your insurance deductible. The deductible will be your responsibility. In some cases, it may not be in your best interests to file a claim if the fence repair costs won’t be over the deductible. In addition, some insurance companies will look at your claim history to decide on what to do. If they find that you have filed too many claims, they may end up raising your premiums or canceling the policy. However, if the damage is massive, and someone else caused the damage, look into filing a claim.

Document the Damage

Take photos and videos of the damage before making any emergency repairs. Try to do this immediately after the accident, as showing the insurance company photos of the car or fallen tree on the fence gives more credence to your claim then simply showing the post broken and the fence slats laying on the ground. Take the videos and photos from every angle, as well as any objects that struck the fence.

As mentioned earlier in the post, if the damage was caused by a car accident or vandalism, get a police report. The police will document the details and gather information about the person who caused the damage. They will also take their own photos, which can be included with the claim forms that you will send in to the insurance company.

Check Property Surveys

Certain fencing, especially in residential city neighborhoods, may be shared boundaries with your neighbors. In these cases, fixing the shared boundary fence will be the neighbor’s responsibility as well as your own. This situation means that your insurance company will only cover half the repair costs as the neighbor’s insurance company will cover the other half. Reviewing property surveys will allow you to know whether the fence is on the boundary line and if there are shared costs.

Keep Receipts if Performing Immediate Repairs

There will be times when you must make repairs immediately to prevent further damage to your property or your neighbor’s yard, such as a high privacy fence leaning dangerously against a small shed, playground area, or over a neighbor’s pool area. The insurance company will want to see any expenses you paid out-of-pocket for repairs. So keep all receipts and make photocopies of them, or take photos of the receipts with your phone’s camera, before sending the documentation to the insurance company.

Filing Your Fence Damage Insurance Claim

Every insurance company has their own set of guidelines and time frames on filing claims. So contact your insurance agent to find out the details and to start the process. They will send you the correct forms to fill out and send back. You want to include as much documentation as possible about what caused the damage and the extent of the issue. Include photos, police reports and receipts with the forms that will be sent back to the company.

After receiving the claim forms, the insurance company will send their adjuster to inspect the damage. If the damage was caused by vandalism or a car accident, you can present to them a police report and any accompanying photos that the law officer took. Try to patiently answer the adjuster’s questions, even if you already provided the same answers on the insurance claims. It is just part of their job as it can feel frustrating that you have to wait to become compensated.

The insurance company will then send you details of the payment that you will receive. They may also send you a partial payment so that you can begin the repair process. If the entire payment is lower than what you expected, or they deny your claim, you can make an appeal and negotiate for a higher price. Talk with the adjuster or your insurance agent if you have concerns about the payment.

In Need of a New Fence?

Fence OKC would love the opportunity to serve you and your family by providing you with a free estimate on your fence project. Please feel free to contact us by using the form below or call us at 405-778-1545. We have a fence that will fit anyone’s budget.