Damage to gardens from Storm Éowyn will be significant as winds of up to 180km/h devastated the country. And in gardens, fences and gates are one of the first things to be affected by strong winds.
While your property and any damage to it will most likely be covered by your home insurance, gardens can be a gray area. Sometimes your policy will cover your garden, but the type of damage you can claim is not entirely clear.
It is important that you read the fine print in your policy before attempting to make a claim for damaged fences and gates.
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Compare the Market experts say that in most cases, fences and gates are not insured against storm damage. The comparison website states: “If fences are insured against storm damage, then there are likely conditions to the coverage.”
“Damage caused by wear and tear, for example, is usually excluded from building insurance. This means you may need to prove that your fence was in good condition before the storm in order to make a successful compensation claim.”
It is recommended to check the guidelines as they may depend on the strength of the wind that caused the damage. They said: “Many building insurance policies do not cover damage to fences and gates caused by strong winds. However, check your policy to be sure.”
“If wind damage to your fences is covered, chances are there will be conditions equivalent to the strength of the wind that caused the damage.
“For example, your insurance may only cover damage caused by strong winds registered above a certain point on the Beaufort scale.”
If your fence was damaged by a tree falling on it, you may be covered. However, if the tree fell due to a storm and strong winds, there is usually a caveat.
They said: “If a tree falls on your fence and damages it, you are usually covered by your home insurance. However, if the tree falls due to a storm, the damage is likely excluded and you will not be able to claim.”
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