May 10th, 2021Is your fence covered by your home insurance?

Like most people, your home is likely your largest and most valuable investment and asset. A good, comprehensive home insurance policy is one of the best ways for you to protect that investment.

Your house may come with or you may opt to build a fence on your property. Fences have many uses including marking property boundaries, keeping your children and pets safe, offering privacy, and limiting unwanted foot traffic. They may also be mandatory as some local bylaws require dog owners to keep their dog in a fenced area, or some strata properties require fencing around individual units or common areas.

But is your fence covered by your home insurance?

Home insurance coverage typically protects your property against damage or loss from fire, weather, vandalism, and theft. A strong home insurance policy will also provide coverage for other structures on your property, including your fence, in one “comprehensive” insurance package.

To ensure your fence is covered, opt for a “comprehensive” (also known as an “all-risks” policy), that covers your house, its contents, and other detached structures such as your fence in one package. A comprehensive insurance policy will cover your repair and replacement costs, or will reimburse you the full amount it would have cost to repair or replace your fence. When calculating your reimbursement pay, the condition of your fence before it was damaged will be considered, so it is important to ensure your fence is well built and maintained. Many local bylaws in BC also require property owners to keep their fence well-maintained.

When is your fence not covered by insurance?

Most home insurance policies will require accidental, sudden or unexpected damage to your property in order to be covered. Even with comprehensive coverage, damage occurring over time such as wear and tear, damage from rust, corrosion, condensation, or dry rot is typically not covered. It is important to trust the right company to build your fence so you can guarantee its longevity.

By ensuring you have comprehensive coverage, a well-maintained fence as well as an experienced and knowledgeable company building your fence, it should be covered by any accidental or sudden loss or damage.

You can trust our team at A&G Fencing to build you a long-lasting and high-quality fence best suited to your needs. Family-owned and operated since 1987, we hold a wealth of knowledge and experience, making us the right choice for you.