Other Structures Coverage is a part of your homeowners insurance policy that provides financial protection for buildings on your property that are not attached to your home. This coverage helps repair or replace structures like garages, sheds, fences, and other outbuildings that may be damaged or destroyed by covered perils.

Key Features of Other Structures Coverage:

  1. What It Covers:
    • Detached Garages: If you have a garage that is not physically attached to your home, this coverage helps repair or rebuild it if it’s damaged by a covered peril.
    • Sheds and Barns: Any other small buildings on your property, like garden sheds, barns, or storage units, are covered under other structures insurance.
    • Fences: Fences, whether wood, chain link, or ornamental, are typically covered under this portion of your homeowners policy.
    • Gazebos, Pools, and Patios: Outdoor structures like gazebos, patios, or even an in-ground pool can be covered under other structures coverage, depending on the policy.
    • Driveways and Walkways: Some policies may include walkways, driveways, and even retaining walls under other structures coverage, though this varies by insurer.
  2. Covered Perils:
    • Other structures coverage typically applies to the same types of perils covered by your dwelling coverage, such as:
      • Fire or Lightning
      • Windstorms
      • Hail
      • Vandalism
      • Theft
      • Explosion
      • Falling objects
    • However, floods and earthquakes are typically not covered under standard homeowners policies, so separate policies or riders would be required for those types of damage.
  3. Coverage Limits:
    • The coverage for other structures is often a percentage of your dwelling coverage. For example, your policy might cover 10% of your dwelling coverage limit for other structures. If your home’s dwelling coverage is $300,000, your other structures coverage would typically be $30,000.
    • It’s important to review the limit for other structures in your policy to ensure that it’s enough to fully repair or replace all detached structures on your property. If you have significant structures (like a large detached garage or expensive outdoor features), you may need to increase your coverage.
  4. Exclusions:
    • While other structures coverage generally covers structures on your property that are not attached to your home, there are some exclusions. For example:
      • Flood damage: As mentioned, flooding is generally not covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy. If you need flood coverage, you would need to buy a separate flood insurance policy.
      • Earthquakes: Similar to floods, earthquakes are typically excluded from standard policies and require a separate rider or policy for coverage.
  5. Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value:
    • Depending on your policy, other structures may be covered at replacement cost or actual cash value (ACV).
      • Replacement cost: The insurer will pay to replace or repair your structure without factoring in depreciation.
      • Actual cash value: The insurer will reimburse you for the structure’s value after depreciation, meaning you’ll likely receive less for older structures.
    • Check your policy to see which option applies to your other structures coverage.
  6. Purpose of Other Structures Coverage:
    • This coverage is designed to protect structures on your property that are separate from your main dwelling but still part of your property and likely have value. It helps you avoid financial hardship when these structures are damaged, especially if they are important for your daily life or have significant value.

Example Scenarios:

  1. Detached Garage Fire:
    • If a fire damages your detached garage, your other structures coverage would help pay for the repairs or rebuild the garage, up to the coverage limit.
  2. Shed Vandalized:
    • If vandals break into and damage your shed, the insurance would pay for repairs or replacement under other structures coverage.
  3. Fence Destroyed in Storm:
    • A severe storm blows down part of your fence. Other structures coverage can help pay for the cost of rebuilding the fence or repairing it.
  4. Tree Falling on a Pool:
    • A large tree falls on your pool, causing significant damage. If your policy includes coverage for pools as an “other structure,” it can help cover the cost of repairs.

Why You Need Other Structures Coverage:

  1. Protection for Valuable Outbuildings: If you have expensive structures like a garage, pool, or barn, you’ll want to ensure that they’re covered in case of damage. Without other structures coverage, you’d have to pay for repairs out of pocket.
  2. Peace of Mind: Knowing that your detached structures are covered in case of fire, storms, or vandalism gives you peace of mind, especially if you use these structures for storage, hobbies, or even business purposes.
  3. Comprehensive Home Protection: Homeowners insurance doesn’t just protect your main dwelling—it’s important to ensure that all parts of your property are covered, including valuable detached structures.

Things to Consider:

  • Review Your Policy: Be sure to check your homeowners policy to ensure that the limit for other structures coverage is adequate for your needs. If you have high-value structures on your property, you may need to increase your coverage limits.
  • Extra Coverage for Specific Structures: Some high-value structures, such as pools or expensive sheds, may require additional coverage or a special endorsement, especially if they exceed the standard limit for other structures.
  • Separate Flood and Earthquake Insurance: If you live in an area prone to flooding or earthquakes, consider adding flood or earthquake coverage, as these perils are typically not covered under standard homeowners policies.

Conclusion:

Other Structures Coverage provides important protection for buildings on your property that are not attached to your home. Whether it’s a detached garage, shed, fence, or other outdoor structures, this coverage helps you repair or replace these structures if they are damaged by a covered peril. By including this coverage in your homeowners policy, you ensure that all aspects of your property are protected from unexpected damage or destruction.