r/Insurance • u/smanny10 • 20d ago
Home Insurance Is this claim worthy
Hey guys a tree fell on my fence and nothing major happened, but it did misalign the fence and tree is still leaning on to it, and also the ends are flimsy now.. please help (pictures in comments)
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u/Local_Wolverine2913 20d ago
I would take care of that myself or hire it done and not file a claim. It's not worth it.
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u/smanny10 20d ago
I was until I learned about insurance, I was hoping maybe they can replace my whole fence, since it was fully misaligned and wobbly now..
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u/Local_Wolverine2913 20d ago
And I believe most policies are ACV only for fences, meaning, you only get the depreciated value of the fence; not Replacement Cost.
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20d ago
[deleted]
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u/Sad_Ad_2524 20d ago
This too. A storm blows a few shingles off your roof they are gonna replace the shingles, not give you a new roof.
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u/Sad_Ad_2524 20d ago
What do you mean you 'learned' about insurance? Please don't tell me you have a fence guy who is pushing you to file a claim.....
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u/VolcanicProtector All Lines Certified 19d ago
Please read your policy. It's not long and it will clear up what insurance is for.
In short, it will return your property to its pre-loss condition, and is not a maintenance plan.
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u/Sad_Ad_2524 20d ago
This is minor damage you can fix on your own. Don't waste a claim on something like this, insurance isn't really meant for something small like this where you'll net just a minimal amount over the deductible. I would think between tree removal and fence repair you might get $10k. Is it worth getting $4k, seeing your rates go up, or even risk getting dropped?
Save that claim in case something catastrophic happens, like a fire or tornado.
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u/smanny10 20d ago
Bro that’s what I was thinking, but my fence is long tho and it’s not the regular standard wood one, so I was hoping maybe get 20-30k in total.. u see what I’m thinking now
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u/Sad_Ad_2524 20d ago
You will not get that unless your fence is made of unicorn horns. $10k is being VERY generous.
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u/Silence_Farmer 20d ago
Honestly that looks pretty easily fixable. Worst part will be cutting tree up and removing it, but definitely not worth a claim.
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u/QuriousCoyote 20d ago
I wouldn't even call to inquire about filing a claim, as the insurance company will automatically count it as a claim. Get an estimate of repairs. It's unlikely it will be worth your while to file this on your home insurance. If you have another claim at some point, you'll be at risk of non-renewal.
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u/Old-Raccoon-316 20d ago
How long have you had your policy with your current company? What’s your deductible?
Many companies will drop you for any claim in the first two years, even if there’s not a payment made.
If your deductible is more than the cost to remove the tree and repair the fence, a claim is pointless.
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u/smanny10 20d ago
I’ve had them for over a year, but started new policy with them this year, and my deductible is like 6k I believe, but that’s about how much they charge to come and remove the tree and haul it away, and then I still want my fence fixed/ replaced.. is that possible ??
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u/Local_Wolverine2913 20d ago
There is a limit on tree removal and it's way lower than $6,000.00
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u/smanny10 20d ago
I believe there is no limit to safely remove the tree from fence right away but yes to cut it up and haul it away
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u/Old-Raccoon-316 20d ago
How much damage is there actually to the fence? This looks so minimal.
-1
u/smanny10 20d ago
It’s misaligned and wobbly on the ends, and I’m pretty sure once tree is moved from all the pressure on fence, the middle part is gonna be super wobbly ?? I was hoping to get paid for new fence.., what do u think
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u/TAckhouse1 20d ago
OP I would not file a claim for this. Get the tree removed and mend your fence. Use your homeowners policy for catastrophic losses.
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u/smanny10 20d ago
Perfectly healthy tree by the way, just randomly fell due to the weather
-2
u/Kmelloww 20d ago
They don’t cover that.
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u/aloofmagoof Claims Adjuster 20d ago
As long as it's a covered structure there would be coverage subject to limits and deductible. It's not that this is unlikely to be covered, it's unlikely to exceed their deductible.
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20d ago
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u/aloofmagoof Claims Adjuster 20d ago
What?? If it was OP's neighbor's fence that would be true for liability coverage, but if 1st party didn't cover acts of God hail wouldn't be covered, nor wildfire, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc etc.
Debris removal when the tree falls on a covered structure is usually included in the policy but subject to a deductible and limits, and then repair or replacement of the covered structure, again, subject to limits and deductible.
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u/Khalil_Mamoon 19d ago
lol if you file a claim for such a minor thing, you’ll probably get non renewed and you’d deserve it
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u/smanny10 19d ago
Well that’s what home insurance is for boss
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u/Khalil_Mamoon 19d ago
Actually, it is not. Insurance is for catastrophic losses that you can’t afford to handle yourself. You seem to somehow be under the impression that you’re going to profit from this so good luck
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u/smanny10 19d ago
Idk what policy you have boss, home insurance is to cover damage on your home or property. Yeah I will definitely benefit from the claim, tree will be removed and fence will be fixed or replaced.. ??
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u/VolcanicProtector All Lines Certified 19d ago
No one can tell you what your policy will cover without seeing your policy. All we can do is take our best guess based on typical policies.
The tree removal may or may not be covered depending on several variables you can find in your policy.
The damaged portion of your fence is likely covered, but covered at actual cash value. So, if it is an old fence you will receive the amount for a replacement of the damaged section, minus depreciation.
Read your policy. You seem to have some misconceptions on what insurance is for and what is covered.
Get quotes. Do the math. It's likely not a good idea to file a claim. And no, you won't get a whole new fence.
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u/nushooz512 20d ago
Adding to what the other posters said:
Don't know your location but in the US, it's not wise to claim something this trivial on your HO insurance. Insurers are choosey and you may decide to non-renew you over it. Your choice on rolling the dice.
2
u/Jurneeka 19d ago
OP, do you need money outside this presumed claim since you're looking for $20-30k? Because that looks like something you can just DIY or hire someone on Taskrabbit to remove the tree and prop up the existing fence. Although I'm no expert in that. Also you didn't provide a side view of the fence.
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u/smanny10 19d ago
Not looking for extra income, but would like new fence, and since mine isn’t the standard wood one, and I was thinking maybe I can get fancier fence than the one I have now, but pictures don’t do justice! I’ll take better ones, I can’t even move it myself it’s heavyyyyy and thick, and I think it’s holding up fence and when removed fence might fall or be super flimsy and I have dogs, and that’s the creek behind and trails behind… coyotes will have easier access to my dogs smh lol
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