Other structures coverage, also known as Coverage B, is the part of a homeowners insurance policy that protects structures on your property that aren’t attached to your home. This includes detached garages, sheds, gazebos, fences, driveways, and often in-ground pools.
What’s protected by other structures coverage?
Other structures coverage protects structures on your land that are not physically attached to your home. This may include:
If these structures — or any additional structures on your property not attached to your home — are damaged by a covered risk (called a peril), Coverage B helps you pay for the cost to repair, rebuild, or replace them.
In some cases, insurers treat in-ground pools as other structures, but not always. If you have a pool, ask your insurer which coverage applies and whether you need to meet any requirements. For instance, you might need to have a fence around the pool to qualify for coverage.
Covered perils
For standard home insurance policies, Coverage B typically covers damage caused by any peril not specifically named as an exclusion in your policy. This is called open-perils or all-risk coverage.Â
What does other structures coverage not protect?
As the name implies, other structures coverage applies to other structures. That means it does not include coverage for:
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Your physical home or anything attached to it: Attached structures, such as a garage, porch, or deck, are not included with Coverage B. However, dwelling coverage (Coverage A) protects the core structure of your home and is also included in a standard home insurance policy.
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The contents within the structure: Similarly, other structures coverage only protects the physical structures themselves, not the contents within. Instead, personal belongings stored inside a shed or detached garage, such as lawnmowers, holiday decorations, or pool supplies, would be protected by your personal property coverage (Coverage C).
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Business use: Finally, if you use any of your detached structures for business purposes — like farming, an office outside your home, or a rental unit — other structures coverage will not protect the structure. You may need a separate policy depending on how you use the structure. For instance, renting out a backyard casita on Airbnb might require landlord insurance.
Excluded perils
Notably, damage to additional structures on your property isn’t covered when it results from any perils excluded by your policy. These usually include:
To be protected from these hazards, you may need to purchase add-on coverage (known as an endorsement) or a separate policy.Â
Damage due to neglect or general wear and tear is also not covered by your homeowners insurance policy. The same goes for intentional damage caused by you or someone in your household — it may not be covered.
How much other structures coverage do you need?
The amount of protection you have for other structures is typically tied to your dwelling coverage (also known as Coverage A). Your dwelling limit represents the total cost to rebuild your home from scratch if it were destroyed.
In most standard policies, insurers set the policy limit for other structures — the maximum amount they will pay for a claim — at 10% of your dwelling total. For example, if your home is insured for $300,000, your coverage for other structures would be capped at $30,000.
However, if you have multiple other structures or a high-value structure like a large storage barn, a guest house with full plumbing and electrical, or a multi-car garage with a built-in workshop, you can ask your insurance agent about adding coverage.Â
How to increase coverage for other structures
If you’re concerned that your other structures coverage limit is not enough, you may be able to increase coverage in one of two ways:
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Increase your coverage limit. Reach out to your insurer to discuss a higher coverage limit for other structures on your property. This will likely increase the cost of your policy (known as your premium), but you’ll gain peace of mind.
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Add endorsements. You can more extensively cover your other structures against damage with endorsements. For instance, perils such as floods and earthquakes are excluded from standard coverage, so you might want to add coverage on or purchase it separately. And if your structure has its own plumbing, you may want to consider water backup coverage.
Other structures coverage vs. dwelling coverage
Both dwelling coverage and other structures coverage are core components of a standard homeowners insurance policy:
Importantly, these coverages only protect the structures themselves — not any contents within. A third type of home insurance, called personal property coverage, is designed to financially protect your belongings. Personal property coverage is also known as Coverage C and is automatically included in standard home insurance policies.
Frequently asked questions
Does other structures coverage have a deductible?
Yes, you will be responsible for your standard home insurance policy deductible when filing a claim under other structures coverage. In the event of claimable damage to both your home (which falls under dwelling coverage) and other structures on your property (like a detached garage), you will only pay your deductible once.Â
What if you rent one of your other structures to someone else?
If you rent one of your other structures, such as a converted garage or barn or a guest cottage, Coverage B will typically exclude that property. Instead, you’ll need landlord insurance to cover that structure, and your tenant should carry renters insurance to protect their belongings inside.
Can I remove other structures coverage from my policy?
You might be tempted to remove other structures coverage if you don’t have what you would deem any “other structures.” But even if you don’t have a detached garage or a gazebo, you likely have another structure that would be covered, such as a mailbox or fence. While some insurers allow you to remove this coverage, many do not. Speak with your insurer to understand what you can and cannot remove from your policy.
