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A fence can give you incredible peace of mind, as it offers increased security for your home and family. What many may not realize is that this structure also has an effect on homeowners insurance. Here’s what you should know about the connection.

How Do Fences Affect Your Policy Rates?

Insurance rates depend largely on the steps homeowners take to protect their dwellings from various threats. For example, adding a high-quality security system will bring costs down, as it proves to the insurer that the home is less likely to experience a catastrophic event. The same applies to fences, which can thwart intruders from entering the property.

homeowners insuranceAdditionally, if you have a pool, your insurance company will likely require you to install a fence around it to reduce liability. While the average homeowners policy does include pools, consider purchasing an umbrella policy for additional coverage.

Are Fences Covered by Insurance?

The average homeowners policy includes coverage for fences, limited to a degree based on how they're damaged. Protections for your fence fall under what's known as "other structures coverage," which applies to parts of your property that aren't directly attached to the dwelling. This can cover damages that occur if a neighbor's tree falls on the fence, or if it's otherwise damaged in a storm.

However, there are some exclusions. For example, your insurance company likely won't pay for repair work if the fence is damaged by your precarious tree that was already in danger of falling. Additionally, damages from wind and rainfall are nearly always covered, but you should photograph the evidence of damage before beginning any repair work.

 

If you need a new homeowners insurance policy to protect your most valuable investments, trust in the professionals at Chanler Agency, Inc. Insurance. Based in Geneseo and Livonia, NY, these providers offer homeowners insurance, along with umbrella, auto, and business insurance packages, to give you peace of mind. Visit their website to find out more about how they can help you, or call (585) 243-5520 to discuss your needs with an expert.

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