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 Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing honest and reliable information so that you can make the best financial decisions for you and your family. All of our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. We maintain strict editorial independence from insurance companies to maintain our editorial integrity, so our recommendations are unbiased and are based on a comprehensive list of criteria. Insights: Other Structures coverage is the part of the homeowners insurance policy that covers detached structures on your property, such as garages and sheds. Homeowners insurance covers the physical structure of your home, your personal belongings, liability, medical payments and loss of use. Most policies also cover the other structures on your property, like a pool or shed. Say, for example, a windstorm knocks down a fence in your front yard. You could file a home insurance claim and collect money from your detached structure policy to build a new one. Whether you’re a long-time homeowner or a recent home buyer, understanding Other Structures coverage can come in handy. We’ll explain what it covers and how to determine the amount of insurance coverage you might need. Key Takeaways
Other structures are typically covered under Coverage B of a standard homeowners policy, says Greg Pannhausen, head of countrywide homeowners product at Farmers Insurance. “This policy applies to structures that are set apart from your home, such as sidewalks, walkways, driveways, fences, pools, detached garages, carports, boat docks and gazebos,” Pannhausen adds. Coverage B homeowners insurance protects your detached structures against a covered peril, like wildfires, vandalism, falling objects, hailstorms, wind damage and explosions. If a detached structure on your property gets damaged in a covered loss, you can file an insurance claim and get money from your insurance company to repair or rebuild it. Examples of what’s considered as Other StructuresAlmost any physical structures on your property that’s not attached to your primary house are considered an “other structure.” Common examples of other structures include:
How much does Other Structures coverage cost?Gauging the cost of Other Structures home insurance is difficult because it comes standard with most homeowners insurance policies. It’s not an optional endorsement that would cause your premium to increase, such as water backup coverage or separate coverage like flood insurance. The cost of detached structures insurance is based on your Coverage B policy limit. The Coverage B policy limit is typically a percentage of your dwelling insurance policy limit. You can review your Other Structures coverage limits in your home insurance policy documents or insurance binder. An agent should be able to tell you how much of your premium is allocated to Other Structures coverage. Another thing that can impact the cost of Other Structures coverage is how you get reimbursed after a claim. If you have an actual cash value (ACV) policy, your payout after a claim will be lower because the coverage only pays what the property is worth at the time of the loss. ACV coverage is cheaper than the alternative — replacement cost value (RCV). If you have an RCV policy, the insurance company will reimburse you for property without depreciation. So, you’ll get a bigger claim payout, but that coverage is more expensive than ACV. Guaranteed replacement cost is another type of coverage. With guaranteed replacement, the insurance company reimburses you for the full loss — even if it exceeds the policy limits. What is covered under Coverage B and what is not?Coverage B home insurance offers protection for most detached structures. However, several things are excluded. Those structures may be covered by other home insurance policies. Here’s a list of what is and isn’t covered by detached structures insurance:
Keep in mind that certain structures you might think are considered detached structures may not be covered. For example, under some home insurance policies, above-ground swimming pools and hot tubs/jacuzzis are actually insured as personal property. You can consult your home insurance policy documents to see exactly what other structures are covered under your specific policy. How much coverage do I need for Other Structures?Standard homeowners policies typically allocate 10% of the primary dwelling insurance to other structures, says Pannhausen. That means if your dwelling or structure coverage limit is $400,000, you would have $40,000 in Other Structures coverage. If you feel the policy doesn’t offer adequate coverage, you can typically add an endorsement to your homeowners policy, which will raise your coverage limits. However, buying more coverage will likely increase your premium. Almost every homeowner has detached structures on their property, so they should have this type of coverage. Even if your only detached structures are a fence and driveway, insurance will cover any damage. Without it, you would have to pay for the repairs yourself. Other Structures insurance is also a good thing to have if you make improvements to your home. For example, if you install an in-ground swimming pool or a new deck, you should make sure your other structure policy limits are adequate for your new additions. How to make Other Structures insurance claimFiling an Other Structures insurance claim is similar to filing any other home insurance claim. The process is usually straightforward, but it helps to have the right documentation. Here are the steps to follow if you need to file a detached structures claim:
Frequently Asked QuestionsDo I need Other Structures coverage?Almost every homeowner can benefit from Other Structures coverage. If your property has a pool, gazebo, detached garage, shed, fence, walkway, driveway or other physical detached structure that could get damaged, you can benefit from Other Structures coverage. Can I remove Other Structures coverage from a homeowners insurance policy?Some insurance companies might allow you to buy dwelling insurance without Other Structures coverage, but it varies. If you want to drop Other Structures coverage, call your insurance provider and ask if they will allow it. Otherwise, you might have to find a different provider that sells these policies separately. When should I not file an Other Structures claim?You shouldn’t file a home insurance claim simply because you have coverage. It’s wise to pay for the damage yourself if the loss is less than or similar to your deductible. Filing a claim will also likely mean your premiums will increase, so you want to take that into account. Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer who covers various insurance topics. Her areas of expertise are life insurance, car insurance, property insurance and health insurance. Elizabeth’s byline has appeared in dozens of online publications, including Investopedia, CNET and Bankrate. She has also written for several insurance carriers. What is other structures on homeowners?Other structures coverage is the part of a homeowners insurance policy that helps pay to repair or replace structures other than your home, such as a fence, if they are damaged by a covered risk. For instance, if a tree falls on your detached garage, other structures coverage may help pay for repairs.
What two things are not usually covered by homeowners insurance?Termites and insect damage, bird or rodent damage, rust, rot, mold, and general wear and tear are not covered. Damage caused by smog or smoke from industrial or agricultural operations is also not covered. If something is poorly made or has a hidden defect, this is generally excluded and won't be covered.
What is considered a separate structure?For insurance purposes, a separate structure is any man-made feature or building that is not permanently attached to the house. Examples of separate structures include the following: Detached garage. Detached patio.
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Are driveways considered other structures on homeowners insurance
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