The short answer

  • Photograph the damage before anything is moved or repaired; the Texas Department of Insurance advises taking pictures before doing any work.
  • Temporary repairs to secure your yard are generally OK; hold off on permanent repairs until you have talked with your insurer.
  • Wind damage to a fence is probably covered if your policy includes wind, usually at actual cash value.

Storms are one of the most common reasons fences come down in Cypress. During Hurricane Beryl on July 8, 2024, the National Weather Service recorded an unofficial 73 mph gust in Cypress (NWS Houston/Galveston). Here is what to do, in order, when a storm damages your fence.

1. Stay Safe

  • Stay clear of downed power lines, including lines lying on or near the fence.
  • Do not lean on or climb a leaning section; it can fall.
  • Keep pets and children away until the yard is secured.

2. Document the Damage

The Texas Department of Insurance advises homeowners to take pictures of the damage before doing any work (Texas Department of Insurance). Photograph:

  • Every damaged section, from far away and up close.
  • Snapped or leaning posts at the ground line.
  • Any tree or debris that hit the fence.
  • The date: keep the original photo files, which carry the date and time.

When we repair storm damage, we can take dated photos of the damage and the repair while we are on site, which helps with a claim.

3. Make Temporary Repairs

The Texas Department of Insurance says it is generally OK to make temporary repairs, but to hold off on permanent repairs until you have talked with your insurer. For a fence, temporary usually means standing a section up and bracing it, or closing a gap so pets stay in. Keep receipts.

4. Check Your Insurance Coverage

Per the Texas Department of Insurance, if wind damages your fence and you have wind coverage, your policy will probably pay, usually based on actual cash value, meaning depreciation is deducted (TDI: structures covered). Fences fall under other structures coverage, which is typically 10 percent of your home's insured value, and your deductible applies. Before signing a claim check, TDI suggests talking with your insurance company, because some treat signing as a final settlement. For questions, the TDI Help Line is 800-252-3439.

Because of depreciation and the deductible, the payout on an older fence is often small. Repairing only the damaged sections usually costs less than replacing the whole fence.

5. Get the Permanent Repair Done

DamageTypical repairOur price
Section blown down, posts intactStand it up, replace broken parts, reset postsFrom $350 per section
Leaning postsRe-plumb and re-set in concreteFrom $150 per post
Broken or missing boardsReplace and match boardsFrom $200 per repair
Section destroyedTear out and rebuild in the same styleFrom $400 per section
Gate torn off or bentRepair, or new gateFrom $150; new gates from $450

Storm calls go to the front of our schedule. See leaning fence repair, fence panel repair, gate repair, or the full price list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does homeowners insurance cover a fence damaged by wind in Texas?

According to the Texas Department of Insurance, wind damage to a fence is probably covered if you have wind coverage, usually at actual cash value with depreciation deducted, and your deductible applies. Check your own policy.

Should I fix my fence before the adjuster comes?

Take photos first. Temporary repairs to secure your yard are generally OK, but the Texas Department of Insurance suggests holding off on permanent repairs until you have talked with your insurer.

How fast can you repair storm damage?

Storm calls move to the front of our schedule. Send photos and we come back with what it takes and the price, then get you on the schedule that week.

The Bottom Line

Stay safe, photograph everything, secure the yard, talk with your insurer, then make the permanent repair. Send photos of the damage to (346) 664-6333 and we will reply with a written price; storm calls go to the front of the schedule.

Related Fence Repairs in Cypress

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