Brush Fence vs Car: What Happens When Your Fence Gets Hit

It’s 7:12 AM. You’ve just poured your first coffee when you hear that crunch. You rush outside to find a car parked halfway into your yard — and your beautiful brush fence split, sagging, or smashed into a pile of brushwood and bent posts.

If you’re Googling “brush fence hit by car”, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a reversing mishap, a late-night joyride, or a simple case of missed brakes, vehicles crashing into brush fences happens more often than you’d think — especially on corner blocks, driveways, or sloping properties.

In this post, we’ll walk you through:

• What kind of damage a brush fence sustains when hit by a car
• How to assess the damage
• What you can (and shouldn’t) repair yourself
• How insurance comes into play
• When it’s time to call in the pros

Brush fences are made of densely packed brushwood — typically Melaleuca — secured between timber or steel posts. While brushwood has great flexibility and impact resistance, it’s not designed to withstand the force of a 1.5-tonne vehicle moving at 30+ km/h.

1. Crushed or dislodged panels – The brushwood compacts or tears, leaving exposed gaps or collapsed sections.
2. Broken posts – Timber or steel posts can snap, shear off at ground level, or tilt from foundation displacement.
3. Compromised base rail or framing – Even if the brushwood looks “okay,” the hidden frame may have absorbed the impact and failed structurally.
4. Soil shift or ground heave – Cars can disturb the fence’s footings, especially in wet soil or after rain.
5. Debris embedding – Car parts, glass, or sharp metal can be buried inside the brush, making it unsafe.

The answer depends on how hard the car hit, the angle of impact, and whether the posts and foundation are intact.

• Only one or two panels are affected
• Posts are still vertical and firm in the ground
• The internal structure of the fence is untouched

• Multiple posts are snapped or loose
• The brushwood is flattened, torn, or waterlogged
• There’s been structural compromise (even if it doesn’t look too bad)
• The fence is older and this just sped up its inevitable decline

Let’s be real: if a car hit your fence hard enough to call your insurer, this isn’t a zip-tie and duct-tape job.

Brush fence repair requires careful deconstruction, inspection of internal components, and re-compaction of brushwood — not to mention reinstallation of posts with correct footing depth and alignment.

⚠️ DIYing a car-damaged brush fence can void your insurance claim, create future structural issues, or leave hidden safety hazards.

We strongly recommend getting a professional site assessment before attempting any repairs.

Good news: in most cases, the driver’s vehicle insurance will cover the cost of repairs or replacement. Here’s what to do:

1. Take clear photos of the damage (including tyre marks and impact point)
2. Get the driver’s details and insurance info (license plate, insurer, policy number)
3. File a police report if required in your area (especially for major damage)
4. Contact your home insurer — even if you’re not at fault, they may handle the claim on your behalf

We’re experienced in working with insurers and can provide:

• Detailed written quotes for repair/replacement
• Photos and condition reports
• Damage assessments
• Direct invoicing to insurance if applicable

At the Brush Fence Company, we offer full service for fence impact incidents, including:

✔ Emergency make-safe temporary fencing
✔ Full removal of damaged panels and posts
✔ Custom-built replacement panels (matched to your existing fence)
✔ Reinstallation with upgraded posts and supports
✔ Liaison with insurance assessors and claim teams
✔ Optional capping, reinforcement, or future-proofing upgrades

We know how frustrating this situation can be — and how time-sensitive insurance claims are. We act quickly, communicate clearly, and leave your property looking better than before.

Consider adding:

• Low bollards or boulders near high-risk impact zones
• Reflective markers if your fence is near a tight driveway
• Raised garden beds or hedges in front of the fence as soft barriers
• Steel-reinforced posts on corners or exposed sections

Don’t let a careless driver leave you with a busted fence and a headache. Whether it’s one panel or the whole side of your yard, we’ll get your brush fence back to full strength — with professional repairs and insurance support every step of the way.

📞 Call 0485 938 832

If your brush fence has been hit by a car:

• Check for safety hazards: Leaning panels, sharp timber or metal, broken glass, exposed screws or car parts.
• Take photos:
  • Fence damage (close-up and wide-angle)
  • Tyre marks or vehicle tracks
  • Damage to posts, ground, and surrounding area
  • The vehicle (if still present)

Get as much of the following information as possible:

✅ Required Info📝 NotesDriver’s full nameGet from licenseVehicle registrationTake a photoInsurance providerAsk directly or check insurance labelPolicy number (if available)Useful for direct claimsPolice report number (if serious)Not always required, but helps

Even if you’re not at fault, your home and contents insurer may process the claim faster and recover the cost from the driver’s insurer later.

Provide:

• Photos
• Description of the event
• Our quote (we can supply this within 24 hours)

We offer fast, on-site inspections across Sydney and the Central Coast to assess damage and provide a written report for insurance claims.

• Scope of damage
• Repair vs replacement recommendation
• Cost breakdown (labour, materials, removal)
• Insurer-ready formatting
• Optional upgrades (stronger posts, reinforced corners, etc.)

📩 Request your quote now https://form.jotform.com/250661578134055

We strongly advise against DIY fixes for car damage. Insurance assessors may reject your claim if repairs weren’t done professionally or if the fence is later found unsafe.

Let us handle the repairs – we work with insurers daily.

✅ Emergency fence removal / make-safe service
✅ Repair or full replacement
✅ Matching to existing brush fencing
✅ Steel or hardwood post upgrades
✅ Liaison with your insurance provider
✅ Prevention solutions (bollards, boulders, reflective markers)

Whether it’s one panel or your entire fence line, we’re here to help you recover quickly, safely, and stress-free.