Orlando Harmon
Homeowners insurance covers not only your house but also other structures on your property that are separate from your dwelling. This includes structures such as sheds, fences, gazebos, and detached garages. Other structures coverage, also known as Coverage B, typically covers 10% of your home's overall insurance amount and can help pay for repair costs if these structures are damaged by a covered peril. It's important to note that this coverage only applies to the structures themselves and not the items stored inside. Understanding what is included in other structures coverage is crucial for homeowners to ensure they have adequate protection for their property.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Also referred to as Coverage B |
| Definition | Structures on the “residence premises” set apart from the dwelling by clear space |
| Examples | Fences, sheds, detached garages, gazebos, guest houses, casitas, decks, driveways, walkways, swimming pools |
| Perils covered | Fire, theft, windstorms, hail damage, lightning, snow damage, vandalism, civil commotion, and other natural disasters |
| Perils not covered | Any peril specifically listed in the policy |
| Coverage limit | Typically 10% of the dwelling coverage limit, but can be adjusted to 20% or 30% if needed |
| Items not covered | Items stored inside the structures |
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What You'll Learn
Fences, sheds, and gazebos
Fences are covered by most policies, and if damaged, the insurance company will pay out the actual cash value of the fence, taking into account depreciation. Most policies cover fence damage caused by wind or storms, but not by ice or snow.
Sheds are also included in other structures coverage. If a shed is damaged by a peril covered in your policy, such as a windstorm, other structures coverage can help pay for repair costs.
Gazebos are also usually covered by homeowners insurance, but this depends on the type of gazebo. Built gazebos, usually made from wood or vinyl, are covered as they are considered outbuildings. However, pop-up tent gazebos are not covered by other structures coverage.
The coverage limit for other structures is typically 10% of the dwelling coverage limit. For example, if your home is insured for $250,000, you should have $25,000 in other structures coverage. This may not be enough to replace a destroyed structure, so it is possible to adjust this limit to 20% or 30%.
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Unattached garages
Standard homeowners insurance policies typically include coverage for the dwelling and personal property. They also include 'other structures coverage', which covers structures that aren't attached to the home, such as unattached garages.
Homeowners insurance covers both attached and detached garages from covered perils like fire, vandalism, and damage by vehicles. If a garage is attached to the home, it is considered part of the home's structure and is covered by dwelling coverage. If the garage is detached, it falls under other structures coverage.
The coverage limit for other structures is typically set at 10% of the dwelling coverage limit of a standard home policy. This means that if your home is insured for $250,000, you should have $25,000 in other structures coverage. If you have a large detached garage with indoor plumbing and electricity, you may want to consider increasing your separate structures coverage. It is important to note that other structures coverage does not cover items stored inside the structures.
Homeowners insurance will cover the cost of repairing a garage door once the deductible is met if someone backs into it with a car. However, it is important to note that if you are using your garage for business purposes, it may not be covered under your standard homeowners policy.
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Swimming pools
Whether your homeowners insurance policy covers your swimming pool depends on your property insurance company and the type of pool. In general, in-ground pools are typically covered under other structures coverage, while above-ground pools may be covered under either other structures or personal property coverage.
If your above-ground pool is portable, it is usually considered personal property. This coverage is typically 50% of your dwelling coverage. For example, if your home is insured for $300,000, you have up to $150,000 for personal property, including your pool. A permanently installed above-ground pool might be considered an "other structure". Other structures coverage is usually 10% of your dwelling coverage. For a $300,000 policy, that’s up to $30,000 for your pool.
Some insurance companies may cover your in-ground pool, up to the limits of your policy's dwelling coverage. However, some insurers will not issue a home insurance policy with a pool on the property, so you may have to shop around for providers and request quotes to find the right option.
Your homeowners insurance may cover your swimming pool against damage caused by covered perils, such as fire, lightning, hail, vandalism, or explosions. It may not cover damage caused by wear and tear, lack of maintenance, failure to winterize, or flooding. Your homeowners insurance may also have a limit on how much it will pay for your swimming pool damage. You may need to increase your coverage or add a separate policy if your pool is expensive or has special features.
Liability coverage is also important for pool owners, as it protects you from financial hardship if someone gets injured or their property is damaged while on your property. Swimming pools are considered high-risk features by insurance companies due to the increased potential for accidents and injuries, especially for children. Insurance professionals recommend adding a personal umbrella policy for an enhanced level of financial protection if you have a swimming pool.
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Guest houses
If you are renting out your guest house, you should inform your insurance company, as they may offer a short-term rental endorsement that can be added to your existing policy. This endorsement is designed to fill any gaps in coverage that might arise due to the rental activity. Additionally, platforms like Airbnb offer host protection insurance, which can provide a degree of liability coverage. However, it is important to understand the limitations of this coverage and how it interacts with your own insurance policy. For long-term rentals, a more traditional landlord insurance policy is often necessary.
Landlord insurance covers the structure of the guest house, your personal property inside the residence, and your liability if someone gets hurt. It also includes loss of income coverage, which reimburses you for lost wages if your guest house is damaged and becomes temporarily uninhabitable for tenants. It is important to note that landlord insurance does not cover your tenants' personal belongings, and they would need their own renters insurance for that.
When it comes to filing a claim for your guest house, there are several steps you need to take. First, you must assess the damage and notify your insurer. Then, review your policy to understand your coverage limits and deductibles, and complete the claim forms accurately. An adjuster may then inspect the damage, and the insurer will finalize the claim amount based on the policy terms and damage assessment. It is important to be aware of any exclusions or limitations in your policy, as there are instances where your homeowners insurance might not cover your guest house, such as business use, unreported changes, specific perils, or maintenance issues.
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Structures covered by 'open perils' and 'named perils'
Homeowners insurance covers not only your home and everything inside but also any additional structures on your property. This includes structures that are separate from the main dwelling, such as driveways, walkways, detached garages, sheds, fences, and gazebos. These structures are covered under "other structures coverage", which is typically set at 10% of the dwelling coverage limit, but can be increased if needed.
The perils covered by homeowners insurance can be classified as either open perils or named perils. Open peril coverage, also known as "all peril" or "all risk" coverage, protects your property against any peril not specifically excluded in your policy. In other words, unless a peril is explicitly excluded, your insurance company will cover the damage. Open peril policies shift the burden of proof to the insurance company, requiring them to prove that a loss is not covered. HO-3 and HO-5 policies typically provide open peril coverage for the dwelling and other structures on the property.
On the other hand, named peril coverage only covers losses caused by perils that are specifically listed in the insurance policy. The policyholder is responsible for proving to the insurance company that a covered peril caused the damage. Homeowners insurance typically covers 16 named perils, which can vary by insurance provider. Some of the most common named perils include fire and lightning damage, windstorm and hail damage, weight of ice, snow, or sleet, water damage from frozen plumbing, accidental water overflow or discharge, theft, falling objects, and vandalism.
It's important to note that certain perils are often excluded from standard homeowners insurance policies, such as earthquakes, floods, sinkholes, certain types of water damage (like sewer or drain backup), wear and tear, and intentional damage. If you live in an area prone to these types of events, you may need to purchase separate policies or endorsements to ensure you're adequately protected.
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Frequently asked questions
Other structures coverage, also known as Coverage B, is a section of your homeowners insurance policy that covers damage to structures on your property that are not directly attached to your house. This includes sheds, fences, gazebos, and detached garages.
Other structures coverage typically protects against the same disasters and losses that your home is insured against, including fire, theft, windstorms, hail damage, vandalism, lightning, snow damage, and other natural disasters.
The amount of coverage you need depends on the number of other structures you have and their overall value. Other structures coverage is typically set at 10% of your dwelling coverage limit, but you can adjust this higher or lower depending on your needs. If you have high-value detached structures, you may want to consider increasing your coverage amount.
