What Is Other Structures Coverage in Home Insurance?
Other structures coverage protects permanent structures on your property, like a fence, shed, or freestanding garage.
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Other structures coverage is usually part of a standard home insurance policy, and it’s a coverage that can’t be overlooked. This coverage protects the additional structures on your property not attached to the home itself.
While other structures coverage typically protects against the same perils as dwelling coverage, it may not apply to every structure on your property. It all depends on what caused the damage and how you use the structure.
Here’s what you need to know about other structures coverage.
What is other structures coverage?
Also known as Coverage B, other structures coverage is part of a standard homeowners insurance policy. It protects structures on your property not physically part of your home. These could include a detached garage, a shed, or a fence. If a covered peril damages or destroys a structure, other structures coverage will cover the repair or replacement costs.1
For example, if a windstorm, fire, or hurricane damages your shed, other structures coverage may kick in and pay to repair it.
What does other structures insurance cover?
Other structures coverage protects all the items on your property separated from your home and not covered by dwelling coverage.2
Here are several examples of other structures you might have:
Fences
Detached garages
In-ground swimming pools
Gazebos
Guesthouses
Detached patios or dining spaces
Mailboxes
Sheds
Walkways and driveways
Be sure to double-check your policy to make sure you know which structures are covered and what they’re covered against.
What does other structures coverage exclude?
Even though other structures insurance protects against a variety of items, it doesn’t apply to everything. It won’t cover:
How much other structures coverage costs
Since other structures coverage is part of a standard homeowners insurance policy, your total premium will include the cost of this coverage. You can’t save money by dropping other structures coverage, even if you don’t have any structures other than your house on your property.
The national average cost of homeowners insurance is $2,532 per year, according to Insurify data. But your premium will vary depending on multiple factors, including ones specific to you and your home, like location, home age, claims history, your credit, and more.
How much other structures coverage do you need?
A home insurance company typically sets your other structures coverage at 10% of your dwelling coverage limit. So, if your dwelling limit is $300,000, you’ll qualify for $30,000 of other structures coverage.
Most standard homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for the actual cash value of your personal possessions and the replacement cost of your home’s physical structure. Actual cash value coverage pays you for your property’s depreciated value, or what it’s worth today. Replacement cost covers the amount it costs to replace your property and doesn’t consider depreciation.4
The way your other structures claim will be calculated and paid out depends on whether your policy accounts for actual cash value or replacement cost value. If you have many structures or very expensive structures on your property, it’s a good idea to opt for replacement value coverage, as it’ll leave you with a higher payout. Just know this coverage will likely be more expensive.
Other structures coverage FAQs
If you’re shopping for home insurance and still have questions about other structures coverage, this information can help.
What types of damage does other structures coverage pay for?
Other structures coverage generally pays for the same types of damage that your dwelling coverage will pay for: fire, hurricane, lightning, hail, or other disasters. It won’t pay for flood or earthquake damage, though. So if you live in an area prone to those events, it’s a good idea to also have a flood and earthquake policy.
Can you remove other structures coverage?
Most home insurance policies include other structures coverage automatically, without the option to drop it. Your premium amount will include the cost of other structures coverage, so you don’t really pay any extra for it, and you won’t stand to save by dropping it.
Is a driveway considered an other structure?
Yes. Your driveway would be considered a structure for the purpose of other structures coverage. But any damage to your driveway will have to stem from a covered event — like a hailstorm or fire — in order for your other structures coverage to reimburse you.
Are trees considered other structures on homeowners insurance?
Trees, shrubs, and other vegetation typically aren’t considered other structures for purposes of homeowners insurance. To be covered, other structures must be manmade. So if a storm snaps your favorite oak tree in half, your other structures coverage won’t pay to replace it. But if the tree falls on the roof of your shed, causing it to collapse, your other structures coverage would pay to repair or replace the shed. You may be able to buy additional coverages to protect your trees and shrubs.
Do deductibles apply to other structures?
Yes. You’ll usually have a deductible for other structures coverage, just like dwelling coverage. If you’re not sure how much your deductible is, check your policy’s declarations page.
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