What is Other Structures Coverage for Home Insurance?
Most homeowners insurance policies extend 10% of their primary dwelling coverage to other structures on your property, such as detached garages and fences. These structures are protected by Coverage B in your policy, while your primary residence is protected by Coverage A.
Which structures are protected by the Coverage B section of homeowners insurance?
Coverage B protects the majority of structures on your property, whether they are completely separate from your home or are linked to it via piping or electrical wiring.
Other structures that are sometimes covered by your homeowners insurance
- Sheds
- Awnings
- Detached garages
- Fences
- Pool houses
- Dock
- Barns
- Greenhouses
- Piers
- Gazebos
- Boathouses
- Mailboxes
- Guest Houses
Your policy covers these structures against the same risks as your home. Coverage B protects the other structures on your property from damage caused by wind, fire, lightning, accidental water discharge, and other people's automobiles.
- You're also protected from falling objects, such as trees, if you've kept up on property maintenance prior to the accident. For example, if you know a tree on your property is rotten and that tree falls through the roof of your detached garage, your insurance company will not compensate you.
When doesn't Coverage B cover your property?
There are a few Coverage B restrictions that may affect which of your other structures are covered by your homeowners insurance. Coverage B excludes the land on which your property is built. Structures that you rent to others are also not covered by policies. This means that your insurance will not always cover your guest house.
Your insurance will not cover any other structures you use for business purposes. If you own a barn, your insurance will only cover it if you don't use it for commercial farming. If you do, you will need to purchase special insurance to be protected.
Because Coverage B is an extension of your policy's dwelling protection, its exclusions are the same. Your homeowners insurance policy does not cover damage to your other structures caused by earthquakes, floods, freezing, mold or fungus, or normal wear and tear. Your structure is not protected against faulty, insufficient, or poor workmanship, as well as poor maintenance.
Damage caused by birds, vermin, insects, or your pets is not covered by your homeowners insurance. You would be unable to file a successful claim if your detached garage or barn was infested with termites or bats.
Can you increase your Coverage B protection?
Increase the limits of your policy's dwelling coverage to increase the protection provided to your other structures. Because Coverage B only covers 10% of your policy's dwelling limit, you should think about how much it would cost to replace your property's other structures when purchasing homeowners insurance.
You can buy floaters or endorsements to protect specific items in your other structures. If you keep valuables like jewelry, firearms, currency, or bullion in your other structures, this could be a good idea. In most cases, homeowners policies limit the amount of compensation that can be awarded for these items.