Other structures coverage is the part of a homeowners insurance policy that protects certain structures on your property that are separate from your main house. It can cover detached garages, sheds, fences, gazebos, and similar structures when they are damaged by a covered cause of loss. The coverage usually has its own limit, often calculated as a percentage of dwelling coverage, and it does not automatically protect every detached structure or every type of damage.
Key Takeaways
- Other structures coverage generally protects detached structures on the same residence premises as the insured home.
- Common examples include detached garages, sheds, fences, gazebos, and some other permanently installed structures.
- The coverage usually has a separate limit that is related to the dwelling coverage amount, although exact percentages and options vary by insurer and policy.
- Covered losses generally depend on the causes of loss insured by the policy, while exclusions such as flooding, earth movement, wear and tear, or neglect can still apply.
- If you have expensive detached structures, the standard limit may not be enough and additional coverage may be available.
What Is Other Structures Coverage?
Other structures coverage is a homeowners insurance protection for certain buildings and structures that are located on the insured property but are not physically attached to the main residence.
On many homeowners policies, this coverage is commonly identified as Coverage B.
The main residence is generally protected under dwelling coverage, while eligible detached structures fall under other structures coverage.
Examples can include:
- A detached garage.
- A storage shed.
- A fence.
- A gazebo.
- A detached workshop.
- Certain retaining walls.
- A detached pool house.
- Other qualifying structures separated from the residence.
Why Is It Called “Other Structures” Coverage?
Homeowners insurance divides property protection into different categories.
The house itself is not insured in exactly the same category as every structure sitting elsewhere on the property.
| Property | Coverage Generally Reviewed |
|---|---|
| Main house | Dwelling coverage. |
| Attached garage | Generally part of the dwelling. |
| Detached garage | Other structures coverage. |
| Furniture and personal belongings | Personal property coverage. |
The distinction matters because each category can have different limits, exclusions, settlement methods, and claim rules.
What Does Other Structures Coverage Include?
Other structures coverage can protect many common detached structures when damage results from a covered cause of loss.
| Structure | Usually Considered an Other Structure? | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Detached garage | Often yes. | An attached garage is generally part of dwelling coverage instead. |
| Storage shed | Often yes. | Contents inside the shed can fall under personal property coverage. |
| Fence | Often yes. | Settlement provisions can differ from those for buildings. |
| Gazebo | Often yes. | Permanent installation and policy definitions matter. |
| Detached workshop | Potentially. | Business use can create additional restrictions. |
| Pool house | Potentially. | Pool-related property can be treated differently by policy. |
What Is the Difference Between an Attached and Detached Structure?
Whether a structure is attached to the house can determine which homeowners coverage applies.
An attached structure is generally considered part of the dwelling.
Examples can include:
- An attached garage.
- A porch connected to the house.
- A deck physically attached to the residence.
- Certain attached additions.
A detached structure is physically separated from the home.
For example, if your garage stands 20 feet away from your house, other structures coverage would generally be the coverage reviewed after a covered loss.
If that garage is directly connected to your house, it would generally fall under dwelling coverage instead.
What Causes of Damage Are Covered?
Coverage depends on the homeowners policy form, endorsements, and the cause of loss.
Other structures may be protected against certain losses involving:
- Fire.
- Lightning.
- Windstorm.
- Hail.
- Certain falling objects.
- Vandalism.
- Certain vehicle damage.
- Other causes of loss covered by the policy.
The exact causes insured can depend on whether the policy protects structures using named-peril or broader open-peril language.
Do not assume that because the main house is covered for a particular event, every detached structure automatically receives identical treatment under every policy.
Other Structures Coverage Example
Suppose a severe windstorm damages a detached storage shed.
The covered repair cost is $18,000, and the loss is subject to a $2,000 homeowners deductible.
A simplified claim calculation could look like:
$18,000 covered loss − $2,000 deductible = $16,000 simplified payment
This assumes the full repair cost is otherwise covered, the other structures limit is high enough, and no additional settlement provisions reduce the amount.
How Much Other Structures Coverage Do You Have?
Many homeowners policies set other structures coverage as a percentage of the dwelling coverage limit.
A commonly used structure in standard homeowners policies is an amount equal to approximately 10% of Coverage A dwelling insurance, although insurers and policies can provide different amounts.
For example, if a hypothetical policy has:
- $500,000 of dwelling coverage.
- Other structures coverage equal to 10% of the dwelling limit.
The resulting other structures limit would be:
$500,000 × 10% = $50,000 other structures limit
This is only an illustration. Your declarations page shows the actual amount available under your policy.
Is the Standard Limit Enough?
Sometimes. But homeowners with expensive detached structures can quickly outgrow a standard percentage-based limit.
Imagine your property includes:
| Structure | Estimated Rebuilding Cost |
|---|---|
| Detached garage | $45,000 |
| Large storage shed | $12,000 |
| Fence and gazebo | $18,000 |
| Total | $75,000 |
If your policy provides only $50,000 of other structures coverage, a severe covered loss affecting multiple structures could exceed the available limit.
Homeowners with substantial detached improvements should ask whether higher limits or scheduled coverage options are available.
Does Other Structures Coverage Have a Separate Deductible?
Other structures claims commonly use the homeowners policy deductible rather than a completely separate deductible created solely for Coverage B.
However, deductibles can vary by cause of loss and policy.
For example, some policies can use special deductibles for:
- Windstorms.
- Hurricanes.
- Named storms.
- Earthquakes when covered by separate insurance or endorsement.
A percentage deductible can produce a substantially different out-of-pocket cost from a fixed-dollar deductible, so review the declarations page and deductible endorsements carefully.
Other Structures vs. Personal Property Coverage
The structure itself and the items stored inside it can fall under different sections of the homeowners policy.
Suppose a covered fire damages a detached shed containing a lawn mower, bicycles, tools, and patio furniture.
| Damaged Property | Coverage Generally Reviewed |
|---|---|
| The shed itself | Other structures coverage. |
| Bicycles and tools inside | Personal property coverage, subject to policy terms. |
This distinction is important because different limits and valuation methods can apply to the structure and its contents.
Other Structures vs. Dwelling Coverage
Dwelling coverage and other structures coverage both protect physical structures, but they insure different parts of the property.
| Feature | Dwelling Coverage | Other Structures Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Protects the residence and generally attached structures. | Protects qualifying structures separated from the residence. |
| Typical limit | Based largely on estimated rebuilding cost. | Often established as a percentage of dwelling coverage. |
| Example | Main home and attached garage. | Detached garage and shed. |
Are Swimming Pools Covered as Other Structures?
Swimming pool coverage can be more complicated than coverage for a simple shed or detached garage.
Depending on the insurer and policy, an in-ground pool, permanent above-ground pool, surrounding deck, equipment, or pool house can be classified or insured in different ways.
Some insurers may:
- Treat certain pool components as other structures.
- Use special endorsements.
- Apply separate limits.
- Impose safety requirements.
- Restrict coverage for particular pool-related property.
Pool owners should verify both property coverage and personal liability protection because a swimming pool creates significant injury exposure in addition to property value.
Are Fences Covered?
Fences are commonly considered other structures under homeowners insurance.
A fence damaged by a covered cause such as fire, wind, vandalism, or another insured event may be eligible for coverage.
However, claims involving fences can be affected by:
- The cause of damage.
- The policy’s valuation provisions.
- The applicable deductible.
- Ownership of the fence.
- Whether deterioration or maintenance issues contributed to the loss.
If a fence sits directly on a property line, ownership responsibility can also become important.
Are Detached Garages Covered?
A detached garage is one of the clearest examples of property generally insured under other structures coverage.
The garage building itself can be protected under Coverage B, while personal belongings stored inside can fall under personal property coverage.
Vehicles stored inside are different.
Your homeowners policy generally does not replace auto comprehensive or collision coverage for damage to insured motor vehicles.
For example, if a covered fire damages both a detached garage and a car parked inside it, the garage and the vehicle may involve two separate insurance policies.
What About a Detached Home Office or Workshop?
A detached building used for business purposes deserves special attention.
Standard homeowners insurance can restrict or exclude coverage for structures used primarily for business activities.
Examples can include:
- A detached garage converted into a commercial workshop.
- A backyard building used as a professional office.
- A shed used to store substantial business inventory.
- A detached structure rented to customers or used commercially.
Depending on the activity, you may need a home-business endorsement or commercial insurance.
Tell your insurer how detached structures are actually used rather than assuming ordinary residential coverage automatically applies.
What Does Other Structures Coverage Not Cover?
Other structures coverage does not protect against every cause of damage.
Common limitations or exclusions can include:
- Flooding: Standard homeowners insurance generally excludes flood damage, making separate flood insurance important where needed.
- Earth movement: Earthquake and certain ground-movement losses are commonly excluded unless separate coverage is purchased.
- Wear and tear: Insurance generally does not pay for ordinary deterioration.
- Rot, rust, or corrosion: Maintenance-related deterioration is typically not an insured sudden event.
- Insects or pests: Termite and similar damage is generally considered a maintenance issue rather than a standard covered loss.
- Neglect: Failing to take reasonable steps to protect damaged property can affect coverage.
- Certain business use: Structures used for commercial purposes can face special exclusions or restrictions.
- Losses above the Coverage B limit: The insurer generally does not pay unlimited rebuilding costs.
Does Other Structures Coverage Include Flood Damage?
Standard homeowners policies generally do not cover flooding simply because the water damages a detached structure.
For example, if rising floodwater damages both your house and detached garage, the homeowners policy’s flood exclusion can affect both structures.
Separate flood insurance may provide applicable building coverage depending on the policy, property eligibility, and structure involved.
Flood insurance rules can differ from ordinary homeowners insurance, so detached structures should be specifically reviewed when flood exposure is important.
Does Other Structures Coverage Include Earthquake Damage?
Standard homeowners insurance commonly excludes earthquake and certain earth-movement losses.
If an earthquake damages a detached garage, shed, fence, or retaining wall, ordinary other structures coverage may not respond.
Earthquake insurance or an endorsement can provide different coverage, but terms, deductibles, and limits vary significantly by insurer and state.
Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value
How much the insurer pays can depend on the policy’s loss-settlement provisions.
| Valuation Method | General Concept |
|---|---|
| Replacement cost | Generally considers the cost to repair or replace covered property with comparable property, subject to policy requirements. |
| Actual cash value | Generally reflects depreciation or another policy-defined reduction from replacement cost. |
Do not assume every fence, detached building, or outdoor structure receives replacement-cost settlement simply because the main dwelling does.
Review the loss-settlement section of your policy for the specific property involved.
A Coverage Limit Example
Suppose a homeowner has:
- $400,000 of dwelling coverage.
- $40,000 of other structures coverage.
- A detached garage that would cost $55,000 to rebuild after a total covered loss.
Ignoring the deductible and other settlement considerations for simplicity:
$55,000 rebuilding cost − $40,000 Coverage B limit = $15,000 potential uninsured amount
This illustrates why homeowners with substantial detached garages, workshops, pool houses, fences, or other improvements should estimate their replacement costs rather than assuming the automatic policy limit is sufficient.
Can You Increase Other Structures Coverage?
Often, yes.
Insurers may allow homeowners to increase the Coverage B limit when the standard amount is insufficient.
You may want additional coverage if you have:
- A large detached garage.
- An expensive workshop.
- A pool house.
- Extensive fencing.
- A gazebo or outdoor kitchen structure.
- Multiple sheds or outbuildings.
- Other high-value detached improvements.
The additional premium for higher limits may be relatively modest compared with the cost of rebuilding an expensive structure, but pricing varies by insurer and risk.
How Much Other Structures Coverage Do You Need?
The right amount should reflect the realistic rebuilding cost of covered detached structures on your property.
A practical approach is to inventory each structure:
- List every detached structure. Include garages, sheds, fences, gazebos, workshops, pool houses, and other permanent structures.
- Estimate rebuilding costs. Use current labor and material costs rather than the amount you originally paid.
- Add the estimated values together. Consider whether one event could damage several structures at once.
- Compare the total with Coverage B. Find the actual limit on your declarations page.
- Review special structures separately. Pools, retaining walls, business buildings, and unusual features can require additional attention.
- Increase coverage if needed. Ask the insurer about additional limits or endorsements if the standard amount is too low.
How to File an Other Structures Claim
If a detached structure is damaged, take reasonable steps to protect the property and document the loss.
A typical process can include:
- Document the damage. Take photographs and video before making substantial repairs when it is safe to do so.
- Prevent additional damage. Make reasonable temporary repairs if necessary.
- Notify the insurer. Report the loss according to policy requirements.
- Describe the structure accurately. Explain its construction, use, size, and approximate age.
- Obtain repair estimates. Keep invoices and contractor documentation.
- Review the settlement. Check the deductible, Coverage B limit, depreciation, and any replacement-cost requirements.
When Should You Review Your Coverage?
Review other structures coverage whenever you make substantial improvements to the property.
Examples include:
- Building a detached garage.
- Adding a workshop.
- Installing extensive fencing.
- Constructing a gazebo.
- Adding a pool house.
- Building an outdoor structure with expensive finishes.
- Converting a detached building to business use.
It is also useful to review the limit at renewal because construction costs can increase even when the property itself has not changed.
Common Other Structures Coverage Mistakes
- Assuming every detached structure is fully covered: Coverage limits and exclusions still apply.
- Ignoring rebuilding costs: Construction costs can be much higher than the original purchase price.
- Confusing structure coverage with contents coverage: Items inside a shed or garage generally fall under personal property coverage.
- Assuming flood is covered: Standard homeowners insurance generally excludes flooding.
- Using a detached building for business without notifying the insurer: Commercial use can change coverage.
- Forgetting about fences and outdoor improvements: Multiple smaller structures can collectively exceed the Coverage B limit.
- Never reviewing the automatic limit: A percentage-based limit may become inadequate after major improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
Other structures coverage protects qualifying structures on your property that are separated from the main residence. Detached garages, sheds, fences, gazebos, workshops, and similar structures are common examples.
The coverage has its own limit and remains subject to your deductible, covered causes of loss, exclusions, and settlement provisions. Flooding, earth movement, normal deterioration, neglect, and some business uses can require separate coverage or fall outside a standard homeowners policy.
Check the Coverage B amount on your declarations page and compare it with the current cost of rebuilding every detached structure on the property. If you have a valuable garage, workshop, pool house, extensive fencing, or multiple outbuildings, the automatic limit may not be enough and additional protection may be worth considering.
Sources
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Homeowners Insurance consumer guidance.
- Insurance Services Office homeowners policy concepts, including dwelling and other structures coverage classifications.
- State Departments of Insurance for homeowners insurance consumer guidance, policy forms, and state-specific requirements.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency and National Flood Insurance Program resources for flood-related property coverage considerations.