Is it a bought house?
Who owns the fence? Is it a joint fence ie you both half in for its upkeep? Or is it yours or his and I’d there proof of this ie a bill or receipt that came with the house stuff or anything?
If it’s proved to be yours (perhaps the last owner of your house would know or it’s on your title deeds)I think I would expect to pay. But that’s without taking legal advice which may say otherwise!
I’d put myself in the car owners shoes. Unless he parked stupidly or on your garden or something, if he just parked as normal up his drive, it’s hardly his fault if it’s your fence and it blew down.
if it’s rented then your landlord should deal with this.
If it’s a shared fence I’d think you could expect half in for his car repairs.
Is the car owner hoping to deal with this without going through the insurance? Some people do this for minor claims so they don’t lose a no claims bonus which leads to higher insurance costs next year.
If so and if it was me in your shoes I’d suggest the car owner gets three quotes for repairs til you see costs. I wouldn’t admit liability at this stage. ie don’t promise anything. Tell him you’ll look into it once he gets the quotes. Not to get quotes and I’ll pay. Don’t say that. Just that you will look into the position.
If you contact an insurance company they will rack up a claim against you even if you don’t go through with it. Apparently because your liability has increased. Which is totally unfair. So I wouldn’t contact my insurance company unless they costs would be significant. Which you will only know once he gets them.
people usually get three quotes so you can ensure you’re getting best value and not going with an extortionately priced garage.
once you get the costs you can see how you feel.
insurance generally has an excess. Mine is £500. So the first £500 of any claim I’d have to pay myself. So it’s hardly be worth it for say £800 of repairs. So I’d cough up if I’d done something without involving the insurance. But if it’s £3k there’s no way I have that so I might then investigate my policy further.
If he’s going through his insurance he will contact them and they will contact you to get the money off you. At which point you’d pay up or leave it in the hands of your insurance.
You may have free legal advice on your policy. you could take that advice?
Hopefilly someone with legal knowledge will post on here for you.