There are two essential details about homeowners insurance everyone wants to know: what’s covered, and how to lower rates. Installing a fence is a popular home upgrade and a great place to begin to understand the finer details of your policy. Use this guide to help you make decisions regarding new or existing fencing on your property. 

A Guide to Fences & Homeowners Insurance

How a Fence Affects Your Rates

Homeowners insurance providers consider most fences a security upgrade and may reward you with lower rates. These structures make it more difficult for burglars to break in, lowering the likelihood that you’ll experience criminal activity on your property.

Fences can also make liabilities safer. Adding a barrier around a swimming pool may lower your rate because it reduces the chances of neighborhood children wandering in and having an accident. It’s also a good deterrent if you have a trampoline, dangerous lawn equipment, or other liabilities on your property.

When installing your fence, follow local building codes and guidelines for the best discount. Fences made of wood, metal, and vinyl are more difficult to scale or break and should be at least 4 feet tall. Consider self-locking gates, and make sure the gap between the fence’s base and the ground is no wider than 2 inches. Adhering to these regulations will make your policy eligible for the highest discounts.

How It Is Covered

Homeowners insurance will generally cover damage to existing fencing, depending on how it occurred. You may need to secure unscheduled structures coverage for fences since these installations can sometimes be considered an out-building. This same coverage applies to detached garages, gazebos, and other structures not directly attached to the home.

The insurance policy will cover the same kind of damage it would for your home. Wind damage, vandalism, or falling trees are all generally covered, while events like floods and earthquakes—which require a separate policy—won’t be covered. Destruction from a known threat, such as a weak tree, also will not be covered since damage from a weak or dying limb could have likely been prevented.

If you’re looking for an affordable homeowner’s insurance policy, turn to the team at Wilmoth Insurance Agency Inc. These agents have served the Cookeville, TN, area since 1939 and will walk you through a variety of plans so you can find the best coverage for your needs. They offer life, motorcycle, boat, RV, and car insurance. They also serve the Livingston, Sparta, Monterey, Crossville, Fairfield Glade, Baxter, and Upper Cumberland regions. Call (931) 526-6181 to request a quote or speak to a friendly team member.