In the world of insurance, it's rarely the big disasters that trip people up — it's the small ones. A broken fence after a storm, a spill in your car, or a cracked window from the neighbor's kids. These everyday mishaps may seem minor, but when they happen, the question is always the same: "Does my insurance cover this?"
In a recent episode of Insurance Hour with Karl Susman, Karl tackled a full lineup of listener questions that uncovered the hidden truths behind these "small" claims. From fences to potholes to paint spills, his insights shed light on how coverage actually works — and what to do before filing a claim that could raise your premiums.
The episode opened with Dennis from Kansas, whose wooden fence was ripped apart by high winds during a storm. His question: would his homeowner's insurance cover it?
According to Susman, the answer is most likely yes — but with caveats.
"Even though a fence doesn't feel like part of your home, it's usually covered under the 'Other Structures' section of your homeowner's policy," he explained.
Other Structures coverage typically includes detached items on your property — fences, sheds, gazebos, or detached garages. If they're damaged by a covered peril (like wind or fire), you can file a claim under that part of your policy.
However, there are exceptions. In certain states, wind coverage is excluded or requires a separate policy, especially in tornado or hurricane-prone regions. The key takeaway?
✔ Always review your policy's list of covered perils.
✔ Ask your agent whether wind or storm coverage applies where you live.
✔ Keep records and photos of your property for proof of damage.
The next listener — who had accidentally spilled white paint all over the backseat of a new car — asked a painful but common question: Will my auto insurance cover a mess I caused myself?
Karl's answer: It depends on the type of coverage.
Auto insurance generally has two physical damage coverages:
Collision: Damage while your car is moving and strikes something.
Comprehensive: Damage from non-collision incidents (theft, fire, vandalism, falling objects, etc.).
But what about self-inflict ...
