Does home insurance cover my fence?

Maybe you have a dog. Maybe you just like to have some privacy. Maybe the fence was already there when you bought the house. Whatever the case may be, you’ve got a very nice fence around your place. Not because you’re rude or antisocial or anything, just because you do. But you’re wondering – is my fence covered by home insurance? That thing’s expensive. We’ll explain.

Is my fence covered by home insurance?

So, your home insurance policy does some pretty cool stuff. It covers a lot. Typical home insurance policies have a section that’s called “Other structures” coverage. And (for once) the name actually makes sense. Other structures coverage can protect things on your property that aren’t actually attached to your house.

For example, the following can be covered under “Other structures” coverage:

• Your garden shed
• Your tool shed
• A detached garage
• A gazebo (if you’re a fancy person and have one of those)
• And…a fence!

So, typical home insurance policies provide coverage for fences. Huzzah! Of course, it’s important to check and see what losses are covered and which are not. Home insurance policies don’t just cover everything under the sun. Put on your reading glasses and read through your policy. (Typically your fence will be covered for the same losses as your house.)

That means that if a tree takes out your fence through the simple means of falling on it, you’re most likely going to be able to get some help from your insurance. So take that, stupid falling tree!

How much other structures coverage do I have?

You might also be wondering how much coverage you have for your fence. Generally, the amount of other structures coverage you have will depend on how much coverage you have for your dwelling. It’s determined by taking a percentage of the amount of coverage you have on your house. For example, if you have $250,000 of coverage for your house, you could have $25,000 of other structures coverage if that percentage is 10%. (Don’t worry – this isn’t part of the dwelling coverage. It’s an extra thing.)

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