Does insurance cover storm damage to fences?
Where fences fit
Coverage B, other structures, covers things on your property that are not attached to the house: fences, detached garages, sheds and gazebos. On most policies it is set at a percentage of Coverage A, commonly 10 percent, and it can usually be raised for a fee. A fence damaged in the same storm as the roof generally goes on the same claim under one deductible, so list it rather than filing separately later.
What gets paid and what gets denied
- Wind blew panels or posts down: covered, though the adjuster will look at the posts. Posts rotted at the ground line suggest the fence was ready to fall.
- A tree fell across it: covered, whether the tree was yours or a neighbor's.
- Hail split pickets or dented a metal or vinyl fence: covered when it is real damage, though some policies treat dents on metal as cosmetic.
- Frost heave or ice weight: standard forms exclude freezing, thawing and the weight of ice to fences.
- A shared fence on the property line: each owner's policy generally covers their own share.
Documenting it
Photograph the full run, close-ups of broken posts and the base of each post, and any debris that shows wind direction. Measure the linear feet damaged and note the material and height. Fence lines often get overlooked when the adjuster focuses on the roof, so name them when you report the claim. Our guide to what to document after a storm covers the rest of the property.