How do Insurance Adjustors determine who is responsible for a shared fence?

Question

If you share a portion of fence with neighbors and there is damage. How does an Insurance Adjustor determine how much should be paid by whom?

Answer 1

In some subdivisions I've lived in, the builders put fences in ON THE PROPERTY LINE and it is a shared fence. Especially in developments with HOA's. I had one where I recall that it was specifically stated in the documents that fences between properties were the responsibility of the owners who's property it bordered so it is NOT true that fences are on one side or the other.

However, assuming that you have a fence that is actually shared by two houses and it is damaged by a covered peril on your homeowners policy, you'll pay half and your neighbor will pay half.

I never had one damaged that was covered by insurance. The one time we had to replace a section of fence, it was just getting old. We paid half and our neighbor behind us paid half.

Answer 2

99% of the time Ms. Catz is correct, however in this instance she is not. Where I live, in hoas or not, shared fences are the standard. They are put there by the builder, and they are owned by both parties. If there is damage to the fence, both insurance companies pay 1/2, for a covered peril. If it's not a covered peril, both homeowners pay 1/2.

To prove my point, I am an insurance adjuster. We pay 1/2 on the property line. Also, when I had my fence redone this last year, the permits were pulled by the contractor, but all three of my surrounding neighbors had to agree, in writing, that they were willing to have the old fence replaced. Two of them contributed, the third did not have the money, but agreed to allow her 1/2 of the old fence to be taken down and replaced with a new one.

Answer 3

I dont think there is a such thing as a shared fence. The fence has to be on someones property. Normally whatever side the poles are on is not the owner. unless its a large privacy fence then you need to check the property line. Someone owns the fence.

Answer 4

Standing at the midway point of the fence facing the fence, the half to the left is the responsibility of the homeowner. If you stand on the other property, the same rule applies.

Answer 5

mbrcatz is right. The Insurance Adjuster do not determine who is the owner of the fence. They consult the register of the property and that document show who is the real owner of the fence.

Answer 6

They don't. The LAW determines it. Fences, in most places, have to be on one side of the property line - they can't be ON the property line. So whoever's property it's on, THEY are responsible for it.

You might have to pull out a survey from when you bought the house.