Other Structures Coverage in a Homeowners Insurance Policy

When most people think about homeowners insurance, they focus on the protection it offers for the house itself and their personal belongings. However, a standard homeowners insurance policy often includes an additional coverage that many homeowners overlook: Other Structures Coverage. This part of the policy provides protection for structures on your property that are not attached to your home but still play an important role in your lifestyle, such as a detached garage, shed, fence, or even a guesthouse.

In this article, we’ll explore what other structures coverage is, what it typically includes, and why it’s important to have the right amount of coverage to protect your property.

What Is Other Structures Coverage?

Other structures coverage is a part of your homeowners insurance policy that helps pay for the repair or replacement of structures on your property that are separate from your main dwelling. This could include anything from a detached garage or barn to a fence, gazebo, or even a pool house. Essentially, it provides financial protection for any structure on your property that is not directly attached to your primary home but still part of your overall property.

What Does Other Structures Coverage Include?

The types of structures covered by this portion of your policy can vary, but here are some common examples:

1. Detached Garages: If your home has a separate garage that’s not attached to the main house, other structures coverage typically protects it in the event of damage from covered incidents like fire, vandalism, or a severe storm.

2. Sheds and Barns: Any storage buildings, garden sheds, or barns on your property are usually covered under other structures coverage. This protection applies whether they’re used for storage, hobbies, or even farming purposes.

3. Fences and Gates: Fences, gates, and other boundary structures are also included under this type of coverage. If a storm knocks down your fence or a tree falls on it, the cost to repair or replace it could be covered by your policy.

4. Gazebos, Pool Houses, and Pergolas: Outdoor structures such as gazebos, pool houses, pergolas, or similar garden features are typically included under other structures coverage. Whether they are damaged by a storm or another covered peril, repairs and replacement could be covered.

5. Detached Guesthouses or Apartments: If you have a guesthouse or rental unit separate from your home, it might be covered under other structures coverage, depending on its use. This is important for homeowners who rent out these spaces or use them for visiting family and friends.

6. Driveways and Walkways: Certain policies may include protection for hardscaping features such as driveways, walkways, and even patios, especially if they are damaged by a covered event.

   
   

It’s important to note that while other structures coverage generally protects structures on your property, it doesn’t extend to everything. For instance, it typically won’t cover personal property inside these structures (like tools in a shed or items in a detached garage)—that’s where your personal property coverage comes in.

What Does Other Structures Coverage Not Include?

While other structures coverage provides broad protection for a range of structures on your property, there are some limitations and exclusions to be aware of. Here are a few things that might not be covered:

• Flooding: Standard homeowners insurance policies, including other structures coverage, generally do not cover flood damage. If you live in a flood-prone area, you may need to purchase additional flood insurance to protect against this risk.

• Earthquakes: Similarly, damage from earthquakes is usually excluded from standard homeowners insurance. If you live in an earthquake-prone area, consider adding earthquake insurance to protect your other structures.

• Wear and Tear or Maintenance Issues: Damage due to normal wear and tear, lack of maintenance, or gradual deterioration is generally not covered. For example, if a fence deteriorates over time due to aging or neglect, repairs won’t be covered.

• Intentional Damage: Any damage caused intentionally by you or someone on your property will not be covered by your insurance policy. Vandalism caused by others, however, would typically be covered, assuming it’s a covered peril.

• Business Use of Structures: If you use a detached structure for business purposes, such as a home office or business storage, your homeowners insurance may not cover it. You might need separate business insurance or an endorsement to your policy to protect these structures.

  
  

How Much Other Structures Coverage Do You Need?

The amount of coverage you need for other structures depends on the value of the structures you’re protecting. Typically, homeowners insurance policies provide 10% of the dwelling coverage limit for other structures coverage. For example, if your dwelling coverage is $200,000, your policy will likely offer $20,000 in coverage for other structures. This amount can be adjusted based on your needs.

If you have expensive structures like a detached guesthouse, barn, or high-end fencing, you may need to increase the coverage limit to ensure that these structures are adequately protected. To determine how much coverage you need, consider the following steps:

1. Inventory the Structures on Your Property: Make a list of all the detached structures on your property, including garages, sheds, fences, and any other buildings or features.

2. Assess the Value of Each Structure: Estimate the cost to repair or rebuild each structure if it were to be damaged or destroyed. This will give you a better sense of how much coverage you need.

3. Consult Your Insurance Agent: Your insurance provider can help you determine the appropriate amount of coverage for other structures based on the value of your property and the types of structures you have.

4. Review Your Policy Regularly: Over time, the value of your property may change. If you build new structures or make significant improvements to existing ones, be sure to update your homeowners insurance policy to reflect these changes.

   
   

Why Is Other Structures Coverage Important?

While it may seem like an added bonus, other structures coverage is a crucial part of your homeowners insurance policy for several reasons:

1. Protection for Valuable Assets: Many homes have valuable structures that aren't attached to the main house, such as garages full of tools, detached guesthouses, or beautifully landscaped features like gazebos and pools. These structures could be expensive to repair or replace without the right coverage.

2. Financial Security in the Event of Damage: If a covered event causes damage to one of your other structures, having coverage ensures that you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for repairs or replacements. This is especially important if the structure serves an essential function, like housing vehicles, tools, or providing additional living space.

3. Peace of Mind: Knowing that your entire property is protected, including detached structures, gives you peace of mind. Whether a storm knocks over your fence, a fire damages your shed, or a tree falls on your garage, other structures coverage helps ensure that you can recover without financial strain.

   
   

Other structures coverage is a key component of a homeowners insurance policy that protects the various buildings and features on your property that are not attached to your home. From garages and sheds to fences and guesthouses, this coverage ensures that your property is safeguarded against damage from covered events like storms, fire, and vandalism.

To make sure you have the right amount of coverage, assess the value of the structures on your property and review your policy regularly with your insurance provider. By understanding what other structures coverage includes and why it's important, you can ensure that your entire property is protected, not just your main dwelling.

Don't let your valuable assets be left unprotected. Speak with your insurance agent today to ensure that your homeowners insurance policy provides the right coverage for all the structures on your property.

---

Check out our Amazing!

Homeowners Insurance Starter Guide