Protecting your home is not limited to the walls and roof alone. Fences and gates, true ramparts for your property, represent a significant investment that should be properly insured. In the face of bad weather, accidents, or vandalism, your home insurance may cover this outdoor equipment under certain conditions. Find out how to properly protect your installations and avoid unpleasant surprises in the event of a claim.
The different types of claims covered for fences
Protecting your land with a fence or a gate is a significant investment. But what happens in the event of damage or a claim? Here are the key points to know about insurance cover for your equipment.
The main risks threatening your fences are damage caused by bad weather (storms, hail, falling trees), vandalism, and accidents involving vehicles. Standard home insurance policies generally cover these claims for fences fixed to the ground.
Theft of equipment or fence components is also a risk to consider, particularly for automatic gates and their motors, which can attract attention. A specific theft guarantee may be necessary.
Basic home insurance cover
Comprehensive home insurance includes third-party liability by default, which protects you if your fence causes damage to others. Damage due to natural disasters is also covered, subject to the publication of an order recognising a state of natural disaster.
Fire and water damage cover also applies to fences and gates. However, pay attention to the specific conditions and compensation caps, which may vary depending on the policy.
Options and additional cover to take out
For optimal protection, additional cover is recommended: glass break cover for glass fences, electrical damage cover for motorised gates, and the vandalism option, which is not always included in basic policies.
Demountable or temporary fences require specific cover. The same applies to high-value equipment such as designer aluminium gates or sophisticated access control systems.
How do you report a claim for your fence?
The claim must be reported within 5 working days of discovering the damage (2 days in the event of theft). Photos of the damage and a repair estimate are essential. In the event of vandalism, filing a police report is required.
The adjuster appointed by the insurer will assess the extent of the damage and determine the amount of compensation based on the wear and tear of the equipment and the cover taken out.
Exclusions and limitations of cover
Some damage is never covered: normal wear and tear, lack of maintenance, and cosmetic damage with no impact on functionality. Living fences (natural hedges) are also excluded from standard cover.
An excess remains payable by the insured for each claim. Its amount varies depending on the type of damage and the policy terms. For natural disasters, the excess is set by law.
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