Does homeowners insurance cover wind damage to a fence?

How fence coverage works

Other structures coverage (often called Coverage B) protects fences, sheds and detached garages, commonly with a limit of 10 percent of your dwelling coverage. Wind is a covered peril, so panels blown down, sections crushed by a fallen tree, and gates torn off are typically covered.

When it is not covered

• Rot and decay. Posts rotted at the ground line that snap in a moderate wind. Adjusters check the post bases.
• Termites and insects.
• Age and neglect, such as a fence that was already leaning.

Is a fence claim worth filing?

On its own, often not. A few blown panels may cost less than your wind and hail deductible. But if the same storm damaged your roof, gutters or siding, the fence belongs in that one claim with one deductible. List it with everything else. See the after a storm checklist.

Shared and neighbor fences

• If the fence is yours, your policy covers it.
• If it belongs to a neighbor, their policy covers it.
• If a neighbor's tree knocked down your fence, your policy usually pays; the neighbor is responsible only if they were negligent.

Repair or replace

Insurers pay to restore what was damaged with like kind materials. If new pickets or panels will not match weathered sections, ask about uniform appearance, but expect matching rules to depend on policy wording. See matching.