Storm damage to fence not insured by John Lewis

sgt_bilko_2

We had some strong winds overnight that tore down the garden fence on two sides. The fence itself doesn't look too bad, however there are 5 vertical supporting struts that have snapped at the base. The struts are on our side.

I am insured (or so I thought) with John Lewis and have their premium policy, including garden cover, so I rang up claims only to find that nobody is there until Monday and a recorded message saying fences are not covered against damage from wind or storms.

This would have been my first claim in 30 years on home insurance, so I am slightly stunned to find this is not covered and now wondering what it is likely to cost in terms of repairs? My insurance is due for renewal in January with a £430 premium, so I think John Lewis can kiss that one goodbye.

At the moment it's raining with continued heavy winds, so I don't think anything can be done today. One of the fences has fallen onto the neighbour's garden, but that is just gravel and concrete, so unlikely to be anything to worry about. The property is currently being rented and the owner is hundreds of miles away, but I know he is a bit of a chancer, so I am half waiting for the bogus claim.

This has really been a week from hell, so ending like this beggars belief. Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice.

huckster

Storm damage to fences, gates and hedges is a standard exclusion under most Home Insurances.

Very unusual for any Insurers to cover such a risk. NFU did at one time, offer an extended cover, but whether they still do, you would have to check.

agrinnall

Surely the time to check what the policy covers is before you take it out, not when you need to claim?

csgohan4

Good luck finding a policy which covers storm damage and if you do, will it be financially viable?

lisyloo

sgt_bilko wrote: »

, but I know he is a bit of a chancer, so I am half waiting for the bogus claim.

You are not liable to your neighbour for the result of storms, so even if a flying fence had damaged his car you would not be liable.

You would only be liable if negligent (which he would need to prove) but this is clearly a storm, so if you get a claim it’s almost certainly bogus.

Obviously you should stop any loose objects being a danger as soon as it’s reasonably possible.

sgt_bilko_2

The Fence has stood up to various storms and strong winds over the last few years since it was put there but this time came down on two sides. The two parts that came down are not even connected, which is strange.

I am looking into it all now, but it's tricky on a Sunday and I am not sure if this needs a fence specialist or something that can be done by a general handyman. It's probably too heavy and risky for me to try moving on my own and will need to be partially dismantled, but good to know we are not likely to be liable for any damage caused to other property.

marlot

lisyloo wrote: »

You are not liable to your neighbour for the result of storms, so even if a flying fence had damaged his car you would not be liable.

You would only be liable if negligent (which he would need to prove) but this is clearly a storm, so if you get a claim it’s almost certainly bogus.

Obviously you should stop any loose objects being a danger as soon as it’s reasonably possible.

This is right.


When my neighbour's tree was obviously dying, I wrote him a formal letter - so when it came down a year later in a big storm, he had no option but to pay up.

sgt_bilko_2

At the moment I'm actually struggling to find out if one of the fences is mine or belongs to the neighbour since we are end of terrace and they are the middle. I was going to push ahead with repairs, but think we should establish this first.

csgohan4

sgt_bilko wrote: »

At the moment I'm actually struggling to find out if one of the fences is mine or belongs to the neighbour since we are end of terrace and they are the middle. I was going to push ahead with repairs, but think we should establish this first.

Would be in your land registry deeds, £3 for the copy on their website

sgt_bilko_2

According to this the deeds could be several documents and they cost £7 each https://www.gov.uk/get-information-about-property-and-land/copies-of-deeds

From what I was reading earlier the original seller is not even obliged to pass them on to the buyer and it all seems incredibly difficult to find out. I called the developer who built the place and even he didn't know.