What Does Other Structures Insurance Cover?

A typical homeowner's insurance policy provides four important types of coverage:

1. Coverage to repair or replace the structure of your home, should it become damaged or destroyed as a result of suffering from any of the variety of perils detailed in your policy. This includes things such as fire or smoke, hail, lightning, hurricanes, falling objects, theft, vandalism and more. Most homeowner's policies also include other structures insurance, which protects separate structures on your property for the same perils applicable to the coverage for your home's main structure.
2. Coverage to repair or replace your personal property if it becomes lost, damaged or destroyed by any of the same perils covered in your policy. This includes personal items in your home such as furniture, clothing, appliances, sports equipment, etc. Coverage is usually capped at around 50%-70% of the amount placed on the structure of your home. Your personal property is covered whether it's in your home or somewhere else, basically anywhere in the world. This “outside your home” coverage is typically capped at about 10% of the coverage you have for your personal possessions. You also have coverage for shrubs, plants and trees on your property, usually capped at about $500 per item or $1,000 on an HE-7.*might even put in a link to our HE-& comparison page
3. Liability coverage that protects you against lawsuits relating to alleged damages to have been caused to others or their property. This coverage will pay for your court defense and any court awards up to the limit stated in your policy.
4. Additional living expenses coverage pays your living expenses (hotel bills, meals and other costs) if you're forced to live away from home due to damage caused by a covered peril.

Other Structures Insurance

Typical homeowner's policies include something called other structures insurance, sometimes referred to as Coverage B in your policy. This provides coverage for the same perils for which your home is covered and is applied to separate structures such as:

• Detached garages
• Sheds
• Gazebos
• In-ground swimming pools
• Fences
• 
  

You'll find other structures coverage often limited to a percentage of your home's structure coverage. According to the III (Insurance Information Institute) this is typically 10%.

Personal property found in any of these other structures, such as a detached garage or tool shed, are dealt with separately from your other structures insurance coverage, under the personal possessions portion of your policy. Get with your agent or broker if you're unclear of your policy's provisions.