With the recent storms sweeping across the east coast of Australia we thought it might be a good idea to cover some frequently asked questions when it comes to fence insurance. These common queries will cover traditional insurance as well as issues pertaining to rental properties. If you find yourself with additional questions after reading through we encourage you to give us a call on (07) 3491 4100 to discuss any issues with a fencing professional.
For the most part, yes, your fence is indeed covered by general home insurance even though it is always a good idea to check and make sure this is the case. Having said that, even if your fence is covered there will still be limiting factors that can affect your ability to make a claim should it be damaged.
These factors generally centre around who or what caused the damage as well as the location of your fence in relation to public access points and neighbours. Depending on how much of the fence was damaged and what the repair bill is expected to see you might find your claim capped depending on your insurance policy.
Storm damage and other natural disasters are more and more commonly covered in an insurance plan but there are situations where a claim might not be approved due to extenuating circumstances. One such example of this is neglect or simple wear and tear. If the fence is not maintained it can risk voiding any claim.
Negligence is also another factor that can kill a claim quickly. If you damage the fence with a vehicle or while carrying out work in the yard with machinery there is a good chance you will not be able to make a claim. If your fence is damaged by a falling tree that was not cut back this is another situation where you might not be able to make a successful claim.
While this can be a tricky area to navigate, people often have to work out how to deal with making a claim on a shared fence. As a general rule of thumb most times it will come down to where the fence is located in terms of the property line as well as who caused the damage. If the fence is on your property it is generally down to you to make a claim.
If the fence happens to be installed along the property line then a claim can in fact be shared across the two residents under a shared fence insurance claim. This is not the norm when it comes to claiming however with most people opting for just one to make the claim. More often than not this will be the one responsible for the damage in the first place.
If you’re renting a property one of the best aspects is that the claim process for any damage is handled by your landlord. It is on them to make sure they have the appropriate insurance policies and all you need to do is make them aware of any potential wear and tear and areas of concern that might lead to further deterioration or destruction.
While the landlord is obligated by law to repair or replace a damaged fence, who damaged it still comes into play. If your actions cause the landlord’s claim to be voided due to negligence or other factors you will be liable for the damage caused and could find yourself paying for a new fence for your rental property.
The first step would be contacting your insurance provider to discuss what changes can be made so you are covered. When talking with them it’s a good idea to go over storms and natural disasters just to make sure everything is covered. Recent events have shown that making sure storm cover is in your policy is extremely important.
If you find yourself unable to get coverage for your fence due to issues or concerns about its current state or location then we suggest you give us a call on (07) 3491 4100 to discuss what steps need to be taken in order to make your fence eligible for cover and get an obligation free quote to carry the work out.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and this also applies to insurance policies. Taking the time to go over any situation you are concerned about will save you both time and money in the long run. Making sure you are proactive in terms of maintenance of both the fence and surrounding trees is another great way to prevent unnecessary drama when it comes to claiming.
If you have questions or concerns about the state of your fence and its impact on your potential fence insurance claims we recommend you give us a call on (07) 3491 4100 or contact us online. Our expert fencing consultants are able to provide insights that could prove invaluable when it comes to your fence insurance.