Other Structures

Other structures coverage, labeled Coverage B on a homeowners policy, pays for damage to detached buildings and structures on your property that are not physically connected to your main home. A detached garage, a garden shed, a wood privacy fence, a carport, a gazebo, an in-ground pool enclosure, a barn, a workshop, or a children's playhouse all qualify as other structures. The key criterion is that they are separate from the primary dwelling and located on the same property.

The standard other structures limit is typically set at 10 percent of Coverage A (your dwelling limit). On a $400,000 dwelling limit, that gives you $40,000 for all other structures combined. For most standard suburban properties with a modest shed and some fencing, this is probably sufficient. For properties with a large detached garage, a substantial in-ground pool with enclosure, a dedicated workshop, multiple outbuildings, or extensive fencing, $40,000 may fall significantly short of the actual replacement cost.

Review your other structures limit against the real replacement costs on your property. A detached three-car garage in good condition can cost $60,000 to $120,000 to rebuild. A well-fenced property with 300 to 400 feet of wood privacy fencing has $15,000 to $30,000 of fence replacement cost alone. Adding a fence, a shed, and a large detached garage together can easily exceed a standard 10 percent other structures limit. Carriers can typically increase Coverage B independently from Coverage A for a modest additional premium. It is one of the less expensive adjustments you can make to a homeowners policy, and it closes a gap that many policyholders only discover after a tornado or severe storm has flattened every structure on their property.