Fence Damage - To claim or not to claim...

[No ideas for a name]

... that is the question.

Quick one, never having claimed for anything on house insurance before.
Wind took out about 10 fence panels (out of a total of about 40), including snapping a couple of concrete posts.
Just looked and panels are far more expensive than I thought at about £40 per panel. So, with a couple of posts, materials are going to be £5-600. Then there is actually doing it and getting rid of the old broken stuff (maybe bonfire time).

Is there a downside to making a claim on house insurance?

[Rough101]

Your excess and then some claim history?

[megaphone]

Check your policy details, fences aren't always covered.

[No ideas for a name]

Thanks both.
Not thinking straight - didn't even consider there may be some excess!
Just checked and it is £250 - and I haven't checked yet even if fences are covered.

Due for renewal in January too. Looks like the best plan is to get down to the woodyard later and see if I can get the best price for some panels.

[Chrisgr31]

I put up some panels a couple of weeks ago using “Duraposts” which are a metal post. A lot easier than concrete posts to move and will hopefully last longer than wooden posts. They are still upright after the last 2 storms.

[vaud]

We went for "hit and miss" style as they are a bit better for wind resistance, plus I like the look of them.

[Simpo Two]

Snapping concrete posts is impressive. Normally the panels fail before that.

[No ideas for a name]

vaud said:

We went for "hit and miss" style as they are a bit better for wind resistance, plus I like the look of them.

I like those... and a better engineering solution as it lets some of the wind pressure off.
However, just checked and the local manufacture is after £70 per panel, whereas close board ones are £37
I would need to change most/all to match so it changes needing 10 panels and a few posts to needing about 40 panels.
There is a break point in the garden (top garden by house, bottom garden behind trees), so in theory I could do half and move the other panels about. Still probably need 20+ panels.
Some thinking to do.

[No ideas for a name]

Simpo Two said:

Snapping concrete posts is impressive. Normally the panels fail before that.

Yes, I was amazed yesterday when I found the post broken. it has flexed the post and shattered the concrete leaving the top only connected by the wire reinforcement.
A bit of an open area, wind will have come across the marshes, only then to be stopped/diverted by my fence.

At least all the leaves I needed to pickup have been blown away.

[Chrisgr31]

No ideas for a name said:

vaud said:

We went for "hit and miss" style as they are a bit better for wind resistance, plus I like the look of them.

I like those... and a better engineering solution as it lets some of the wind pressure off.
However, just checked and the local manufacture is after £70 per panel, whereas close board ones are £37
I would need to change most/all to match so it changes needing 10 panels and a few posts to needing about 40 panels.
There is a break point in the garden (top garden by house, bottom garden behind trees), so in theory I could do half and move the other panels about. Still probably need 20+ panels.
Some thinking to do.

We went for the hit and miss style. Yours are cheap 😂. Ours were about twice that, although very good quality.

However I was only getting 4.

[Simpo Two]

No ideas for a name said:

Simpo Two said:

Snapping concrete posts is impressive. Normally the panels fail before that.

Yes, I was amazed yesterday when I found the post broken. it has flexed the post and shattered the concrete leaving the top only connected by the wire reinforcement.
A bit of an open area, wind will have come across the marshes, only then to be stopped/diverted by my fence.

For future protection could you plant a hedge on the other side?

The best windbreaks are not solid but 50% porous.

[Avenicus]

Loud crash outside during the storm. Neighbours first floor bathroom window had completely come out of it's frame and landed on his car on the drive damaging the roof and smashing the rear window.
Knocked on his door and he hadn't even noticed. Gave him a roll of gaffer tape and an old yoga mat from my garage to try and at least do something to plug the hole and said "at least that's what insurance is for". He just shrugs and says he'll call the landlord.

Bizarre.

When our fence panels came down, home insurance wouldn't cover it (HSBC) and was definitely cheaper than paying the excess and increased premium (albeit only 6 panels).

[Jaska]

Usually free to call your insurance out to check it for you and confirm if they would support your claim or not, before actually it counting as a 'claim' but they are probably very busy looking at fences this week!!

[Mr.Chips]

As some have previously stated, check with your insurance company first, you might be pleasantly surprised. I have claimed in the distant past for wind damage and, at the time, my insurance company paid out on the understanding that I did my best to select a replacement which would be more difficult to damage if we had a similar storm.
Regarding your broken fence panels, be careful if you try to burn them as, if they are injected with chemicals to minimise rotting, it will produce poisonous fumes when burned. One of my neighbours did this a few years ago, leaving the fence panels burning in his garden while he went out. As he is a bit of a tit, he almost set light to another neighbours fence in the process! He was most upset when he returned home to find the local fire brigade in his back garden. He was more upset a few weeks later when he was fined by the local environmental health department for releasing toxic fumes without proper authority.

[Chumley.mouse]

Mr.Chips said:

As some have previously stated, check with your insurance company first, you might be pleasantly surprised. I have claimed in the distant past for wind damage and, at the time, my insurance company paid out on the understanding that I did my best to select a replacement which would be more difficult to damage if we had a similar storm.
Regarding your broken fence panels, be careful if you try to burn them as, if they are injected with chemicals to minimise rotting, it will produce poisonous fumes when burned. One of my neighbours did this a few years ago, leaving the fence panels burning in his garden while he went out. As he is a bit of a tit, he almost set light to another neighbours fence in the process! He was most upset when he returned home to find the local fire brigade in his back garden. He was more upset a few weeks later when he was fined by the local environmental health department for releasing toxic fumes without proper authority.

Funny you should say this…

I took some fence panels ( treated ) to the local tip, they refused to take them. Told me i had to take them to a different place ……miles away and pay to get them taken away……yeah right.

So when i got home i looked on the council website as i didn’t believe to tt at the tip……he was right.
On the councils website it recommended a bonfire to get rid of any old fence panels ,decking,sheds. That use treated timber.

So out with the picket line dusbin and they were swiftly dispatched……..had almost finished when the local fire brigade came flying around the corner ,lights blazing……..

Someone had reported an “ out of control “ garden fire…….they were not impressed with a crappy little fire in a barrel …….they gave me a leaflet and said to contact them next time to stop anyone phoning again..

Our council cant even get round to cutting the grass in summer never mind being bothered about a garden fire…….

[Chumley.mouse]

Mr.Chips said:

As some have previously stated, check with your insurance company first, you might be pleasantly surprised. I have claimed in the distant past for wind damage and, at the time, my insurance company paid out on the understanding that I did my best to select a replacement which would be more difficult to damage if we had a similar storm.
Regarding your broken fence panels, be careful if you try to burn them as, if they are injected with chemicals to minimise rotting, it will produce poisonous fumes when burned. One of my neighbours did this a few years ago, leaving the fence panels burning in his garden while he went out. As he is a bit of a tit, he almost set light to another neighbours fence in the process! He was most upset when he returned home to find the local fire brigade in his back garden. He was more upset a few weeks later when he was fined by the local environmental health department for releasing toxic fumes without proper authority.

Funny you should say this…

I took some fence panels ( treated ) to the local tip, they refused to take them. Told me i had to take them to a different place ……miles away and pay to get them taken away……yeah right.

So when i got home i looked on the council website as i didn’t believe to tt at the tip……he was right.
On the councils website it recommended a bonfire to get rid of any old fence panels ,decking,sheds. That use treated timber.

So out with the picket line dusbin and they were swiftly dispatched……..had almost finished when the local fire brigade came flying around the corner ,lights blazing……..

Someone had reported an “ out of control “ garden fire…….they were not impressed with a crappy little fire in a barrel …….they gave me a leaflet and said to contact them next time to stop anyone phoning again..

Our council cant even get round to cutting the grass in summer never mind being bothered about a garden fire…….

[Chumley.mouse]

Mr.Chips said:

As some have previously stated, check with your insurance company first, you might be pleasantly surprised. I have claimed in the distant past for wind damage and, at the time, my insurance company paid out on the understanding that I did my best to select a replacement which would be more difficult to damage if we had a similar storm.
Regarding your broken fence panels, be careful if you try to burn them as, if they are injected with chemicals to minimise rotting, it will produce poisonous fumes when burned. One of my neighbours did this a few years ago, leaving the fence panels burning in his garden while he went out. As he is a bit of a tit, he almost set light to another neighbours fence in the process! He was most upset when he returned home to find the local fire brigade in his back garden. He was more upset a few weeks later when he was fined by the local environmental health department for releasing toxic fumes without proper authority.

Funny you should say this…

I took some fence panels ( treated ) to the local tip, they refused to take them. Told me i had to take them to a different place ……miles away and pay to get them taken away……yeah right.

So when i got home i looked on the council website as i didn’t believe to tt at the tip……he was right.
On the councils website it recommended a bonfire to get rid of any old fence panels ,decking,sheds. That use treated timber.

So out with the picket line dusbin and they were swiftly dispatched……..had almost finished when the local fire brigade came flying around the corner ,lights blazing……..

Someone had reported an “ out of control “ garden fire…….they were not impressed with a crappy little fire in a barrel …….they gave me a leaflet and said to contact them next time to stop anyone phoning again..

Our council cant even get round to cutting the grass in summer never mind being bothered about a garden fire…….

[No ideas for a name]

Chumley.mouse said:

So out with the picket line dusbin and they were swiftly dispatched……..had almost finished when the local fire brigade came flying around the corner ,lights blazing……..

Someone had reported an “ out of control “ garden fire…….they were not impressed with a crappy little fire in a barrel …….they gave me a leaflet and said to contact them next time to stop anyone phoning again..

Slightly off topic - but a friend of mine gave up scuba diving and had some smoke flares he needed to get rid of... Not wanting to put a live flare in the bin, he thought he would just let them off - in his garage.
Much orange smoke came pouring out of every gap.
Neighbours called the fire brigade who turned up and gave my mate 'advice'.

[Chumley.mouse]

Not sure why it posted 3 times ???

[CoolHands]

Chumley.mouse said:

Funny you should say this…

I took some fence panels ( treated ) to the local tip, they refused to take them. Told me i had to take them to a different place ……miles away and pay to get them taken away……yeah right.

Councils are a fking disgrace.

I say good luck to flytippers now. And homeowners burning stuff and risk to property is apparently now better than letting them dispose of things like this sensibly? My contempt for them knows no bounds