What Is Other Structures Coverage in Homeowners Insurance? 

When many people think about homeowners insurance, they picture coverage for the house itself. But what about the parts of your property that aren’t physically connected to your home? For homeowners in Indiana, the other structures coverage part of your policy can help account for valuable parts of your property that stand apart from your main residence.

What Qualifies as “Other Structures”?

Other structures coverage typically applies to buildings and features that are not attached to your home but still located on your property. Common examples include the following structures:

• Detached garages or carports

• Sheds and storage buildings

• Fences and gates

• Driveways and walkways

• Gazebos and pergolas

• In-ground pools (in some cases)

These structures may not be connected to your home, but they can still be costly to repair or replace if they’re damaged in a covered event such as a fire, windstorm or vandalism.

How It Works in a Policy

This coverage is usually included in standard homeowners insurance policies, often as a percentage of your total dwelling coverage. For instance, if your policy includes $200,000 in dwelling coverage, other structures coverage might automatically be set at 10 percent (or $20,000). These limits can vary, and you may be able to adjust them based on the value and number of detached structures on your property.

It’s also worth noting what this coverage does not extend to. Business-use structures or rental buildings on your property may require different policies or endorsements. And like other parts of your homeowners policy, the cause of damage must fall under a covered peril for the coverage to apply.

Learn More

SIA, LLC in Kendallville, Indiana, can help you review your current homeowners insurance to see what’s included for other structures on your property. If you’ve recently added a shed, fence or detached garage, it may be time to revisit your coverage and make sure everything aligns with your property’s layout and value. Contact us today to get started.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.