Other Structures Coverage: What Homeowners Insurance Protects Beyond Your Main House

Written by Walter J., insurance research contributor focused on homeowners insurance at Insurance Policy Authority.

When people think about homeowners insurance, they usually picture the house itself. The roof, the walls, the foundation — that’s where attention naturally goes. But most residential properties include more than just the main dwelling, and that’s where other structures coverage comes into play.

This portion of a homeowners insurance policy is designed to protect structures on your property that are physically separate from the primary house. It sounds straightforward, but in practice, it is one of the most commonly misunderstood parts of a policy.

Understanding how other structures coverage works can prevent unpleasant surprises when damage occurs.

What “Other Structures” Actually Means

Other structures coverage applies to buildings or constructions on your property that are not attached to your main residence. Physical separation is the defining factor. If a structure does not share a continuous roof or wall with the house, it is typically considered an “other structure.”

Common examples include detached garages, fences, storage sheds, gazebos, workshops, and standalone carports. In some cases, swimming pools, retaining walls, or detached patios may also fall into this category, depending on policy language.

What matters is not the purpose of the structure, but its physical relationship to the home.

How This Coverage Fits Into a Homeowners Policy

Other structures coverage is usually included automatically in standard homeowners insurance policies. Rather than having its own standalone limit, it is commonly expressed as a percentage of the dwelling coverage limit.

For example, if your dwelling is insured for a certain amount, other structures coverage may be set at ten percent of that value by default. This structure keeps policies simple but also introduces a limitation many homeowners overlook.

The coverage amount may be sufficient for basic structures, but it may fall short for properties with extensive detached features.

Why Default Limits Can Be Misleading

A percentage-based limit assumes that other structures represent a relatively small portion of a property’s total value. That assumption does not always hold.

Detached garages with finished interiors, large workshops, custom fencing, or outdoor living structures can represent significant investments. When the default limit is not adjusted, homeowners may be underinsured without realizing it.

This gap often only becomes apparent after a loss, when repair or replacement costs exceed the coverage available.

What Other Structures Coverage Typically Protects Against

Other structures coverage generally protects against the same types of risks covered under dwelling coverage. These commonly include fire, wind, hail, vandalism, and certain types of weather-related damage.

Coverage is subject to the same exclusions that apply to the rest of the policy. Flooding, earth movement, wear and tear, and maintenance-related issues are typically excluded unless separate coverage has been added.

The key takeaway is that coverage applies to covered perils, not every possible cause of damage.

Detached vs. Attached Structures: Why the Distinction Matters

One of the most important distinctions in homeowners insurance is whether a structure is attached or detached. An attached garage, for example, is usually considered part of the dwelling, not an other structure.

This distinction affects which coverage limit applies and how losses are handled. A detached structure relies on the separate other structures limit, which may be lower than the dwelling limit.

Homeowners sometimes assume all garages are covered the same way. The attachment point makes a meaningful difference.

Special Situations That Create Confusion

Certain structures blur the lines of coverage. Fences that connect to the house, pergolas attached by a single beam, or covered patios may be treated differently depending on policy definitions.

Similarly, structures used partially for business purposes may have limited or excluded coverage. A detached workshop used for commercial activity may not receive the same protection as one used solely for personal purposes.

These gray areas highlight the importance of understanding how insurers define and categorize structures.

How Claims Involving Other Structures Are Handled

When a covered loss affects an other structure, the claims process typically mirrors that of a dwelling claim. The insurer assesses the damage, determines whether the cause is covered, and applies the appropriate limit.

If the cost to repair or rebuild exceeds the other structures coverage limit, the homeowner is responsible for the difference. This is where underinsurance becomes most visible.

Having a clear inventory of detached structures can help ensure smoother claims handling.

When You Should Consider Increasing Coverage

Homeowners should consider increasing their other structures coverage if they have:

• High-value detached garages

• Custom-built outdoor structures

• Extensive fencing or walls

• Detached buildings with utilities or finished interiors

  
  

In many cases, increasing the coverage limit is relatively inexpensive compared to the potential cost of rebuilding after a loss.

Insurance works best when coverage reflects reality, not assumptions.

Why Other Structures Coverage Is Easy to Ignore

Other structures coverage tends to fade into the background because it usually does not require active selection. It is included automatically and rarely discussed at closing or renewal.

But automatic does not mean adequate.

As properties evolve over time — sheds added, garages upgraded, outdoor spaces expanded — coverage should evolve as well. A policy that was appropriate at purchase may no longer reflect the property years later.

Seeing the Property as a Whole

Homeowners insurance is not just about protecting a house. It is about protecting the entire property and the investments tied to it.

Other structures coverage plays a quiet but important role in that protection. By understanding what it covers, how limits are set, and where gaps can appear, homeowners can make informed decisions that prevent costly surprises later.

It is one of those coverages that seems minor — until it matters.

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