Are outdoor signs and fencing covered?

Complete Guide to Outdoor Signs & Fencing Coverage

Why This Question Matters for Colorado and Utah Residents

Outdoor property like signs and fencing face high risks in our region due to hail, wind, wildfire, and property crime. Many business owners in places like Fort Collins, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Park City mistakenly assume these items are automatically protected by standard property insurance.

• High Regional Risk: Colorado is #2 nationally for hail claims, and both states see severe wind and theft events targeting outdoor property.
• Policy Gaps Lead to Real Losses: Standard commercial property policies exclude most signs and fencing unless added by endorsement.
• Affordable Endorsements Are Available: Adding these endorsements typically costs only a fraction of what a single loss would be—protecting your investment and operational continuity.

What Most People Get Wrong

A common misconception is that if your building is insured, all attached or related outdoor fixtures are, too. In Colorado and Utah, unless you ask your agent to specifically add outdoor signs and fencing with an endorsement (a simple policy add-on), they're almost always excluded from coverage. Many owners don’t realize this until after a hailstorm, wind event, or theft, only to face out-of-pocket costs of thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

Another frequent misunderstanding is the belief that adding coverage for these items is expensive. In reality, endorsements for signs and fencing are very cost-effective when compared to a typical loss.

The Complete Picture

Standard commercial property policies in CO and UT are carefully worded to protect against major risks, but they almost always exclude outdoor signage and fencing unless you add an endorsement. An endorsement is a straightforward, optional policy upgrade you request through your broker—it names each outdoor item (like a monument sign or perimeter fence) and declares a limit you select. If a covered loss occurs (for example, a severe hailstorm damages a $15,000 business sign in Fort Collins), the endorsement ensures your claim is processed like any other property loss, subject to the policy deductible.

Premiums for these endorsements typically add $50-$200/year for basic business signage and $80-$300/year for fencing, depending on replacement value and risk factors. Most local claims for sign and fence damage are resolved within Colorado’s mandatory 60-day claim period, provided your coverage is set up before the event. Remember, deductibles and limits apply, so choose realistic values based on actual current replacement costs in your area. Skipping this coverage can expose your business to major expenses—especially in the hail corridor or windy zones north of Denver and around Salt Lake City.

Making the Right Decision for Colorado and Utah Residents

Question 1: What outdoor property is truly essential to your business?

Make a list of all signage, fences, menu boards, banners, and displays. For each, ask:

• Would business traffic or safety be compromised if this item were damaged or missing?
• How much would it really cost to replace today (not just install originally)?

Question 2: What weather and crime risks affect my property today?

Does your address sit in a known hail path (like Larimer County, CO or Utah County, UT), or in a downtown area with higher property crime? Check local loss stats and consider recent storms or vandalism in your neighborhood.

Question 3: Am I proactively reviewing coverage before a loss?

Don't wait until a storm or theft occurs—endorsements must be added ahead of time. Review your policy annually and ask your FoCoIns advisor which outdoor items are excluded, and which need to be endorsed for full protection. This keeps you ahead of Colorado and Utah’s changing weather risks and construction costs.