Other structures limit

Other structures limit

The term "other structures limit" refers to the maximum amount your homeowners insurance policy will pay to repair or rebuild structures on your property that are not physically connected to your main house. These structures include things like detached garages, sheds, fences, driveways and other similar permanent features.

Most standard policies include this coverage automatically under Coverage B, which is separate from the coverage for your primary dwelling (Coverage A). Understanding this limit is key to keeping your entire property is properly insured, not just the home you live in.

What counts as other structures?

In most homeowners insurance policies, other structures are defined as permanent fixtures that are not attached to your main house. To qualify for this coverage, the structure typically must not be used for business or rental purposes unless you have specifically added coverage for that use.

Many homeowners are surprised to learn just how many features around their property qualify as other structures. If it's detached from your home, even by just a few feet, it may be covered differently than you expect. Common examples of other structures include:

• Detached garages – A detached garage is a freestanding building typically used for storing vehicles, tools, or equipment.
• Storage sheds – Many homeowners use storage sheds to organize gardening tools, lawn equipment, and outdoor supplies.
• Fences and privacy walls – Fences and privacy walls help define property boundaries and create a sense of seclusion.
• Driveways and sidewalks – Driveways and sidewalks provide safe, paved access from the street to your home's entrances.
• In-ground pools and pool equipment enclosures – In-ground pools, along with protective enclosures for equipment, are considered permanent structures on your property.
• Pergolas, gazebos, and greenhouses – Outdoor structures like pergolas, gazebos, and greenhouses offer shade, recreation, or space for cultivating plants.
• Retaining walls – Retaining walls provide structural support where there are changes in elevation, helping to prevent soil erosion.
• Mailboxes, flagpoles, and light posts – Freestanding features such as mailboxes, flagpoles, and light posts add curb appeal and serve functional purposes.

If a structure is on your property and is not physically connected to your house, it likely falls under this category.

Where to find the other structures limit

The other structures limit appears under Coverage B on your insurance declarations page. This document provides a summary of your insurance contract, including coverage amounts, deductibles and any policy endorsements.

In many cases, your insurance company calculates this limit as a percentage of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A). A common default is 10 percent, so if your house is insured for $300,000, your other structures limit would be $30,000 unless you have requested an adjustment.

Although this percentage-based method simplifies things, it may not reflect the actual cost to replace all the other structures on your property.

What the other structures limit covers

The Coverage B limit helps cover the cost to repair or replace detached structures if they are damaged by a covered peril. Covered perils vary between policies, but they often include:

• Fire or smoke – Accidental fires or resulting smoke can cause widespread damage to your home and belongings.
• Theft or vandalism – Losses from break-ins, stolen items, or intentional property damage are typically covered.
• Windstorms or hail – Severe weather events such as windstorms or hail can damage roofs, siding, and outdoor structures.
• Lightning strikes – A lightning strike may lead to fire or significant electrical system damage within your home.
• Damage caused by a vehicle – If a car accidentally hits your home, fence, or garage, repairs may be covered.
• Explosions – Although rare, explosions are generally included in standard coverage and may result from gas leaks or other unexpected events.
• Falling objects – Tree limbs or debris from nearby construction sites that fall and damage your home may qualify for reimbursement.
• Snow or ice weight – Roof collapses or structural stress due to heavy snow or ice buildup can trigger a covered claim.
• Water damage caused by internal plumbing or appliances – Sudden bursts from pipes, washing machines, or water heaters are usually covered, but flood damage is not.

For example, if a storm knocks over a tree that destroys your fence and sheds, and wind damage is included in your policy, your homeowners insurance will help cover those costs, up to your other structures limit.

What is not covered

The other structures limit does not cover every type of loss. While it's a helpful safety net, there are specific situations and types of damage that aren't included. Knowing about these gaps ahead of time can save you stress and surprise, if you ever need to file a claim. Think of it as fine print that protects your policy from being stretched too far.

Common exclusions include:

• Floods, earthquakes or landslides – These require additional, separate coverage.
• Normal wear and tear, rot or maintenance issues – Your coverage does not extend to age-related deterioration.
• Damage caused by rodents, termites or insects – Pest damage is excluded under most policies.
• Detached structures used for business or short-term rental – These need separate commercial or landlord coverage.
• Personal items stored in outbuildings – These are covered under Coverage C for personal property, not Coverage B.

Understanding these exclusions helps avoid surprises at the time of a claim.

Why this limit matters

Many homeowners underestimate the value of the structures located outside their homes. Your detached garage, privacy fence, paved walkways or gazebo may have significant replacement costs. If they were all damaged in a single event, you could find yourself paying thousands of dollars out of pocket if your policy limit is too low.

Consider this example:

• Detached garage – $20,000
• Fencing – $12,000
• Pool pump house – $6,000

Together, these total $38,000. If your Coverage B limit is 10 percent of a $250,000 dwelling policy, you have only $25,000 in coverage for other structures. That leaves a $13,000 gap.

This is why it's important to check that your other structures' limit reflects the full cost to replace everything.

Can you increase the other structures limit?

Let's say you've just built a new greenhouse or installed a fancy pergola out back. Congratulations! But now you're wondering if your current policy would actually cover those upgrades in a worst-case scenario. That's exactly the kind of situation where increasing your other structures limit might come into play.

Yes, most insurance companies allow policyholders to increase their additional structures coverage by adding an endorsement. This might be a smart choice if:

• You recently added new detached structures – Any additions to your property may not be reflected in your current limit.
• You have high-value features – Custom-built sheds or outdoor living spaces could exceed the default allowance.
• You want extra peace of mind – Increasing your limit means you're fully protected in case of loss.

Increasing your other structures limit is usually affordable, especially when compared to the potential replacement cost of outbuildings and fixtures after a disaster.

How deductibles apply

Any claim under Coverage B is still subject to your homeowners insurance deductible. For example, if you file a claim for a damaged fence that costs $4,000 to replace and your deductible is $1,000, the insurance company will pay $3,000 and you are responsible for the remaining $1,000.

If the total repair cost is less than your deductible, the policy will not pay anything. This is one reason why small claims on detached items may not be worth filing.

Named peril vs open peril policies

The type of policy you have can directly affect how Coverage B applies to detached structures on your property.

Whether or not your detached structures are covered depends on how your policy is structured.

• Named peril policies – Only cover events specifically listed in the contract.
• Open peril policies – Cover everything except what's specifically excluded.

Some policies apply named peril coverage to other structures even if the dwelling itself is covered by open peril terms. For this reason, it's important to confirm how your own policy treats Coverage B.

Other structures limit compared to dwelling extension

It is easy to confuse the other structures' limit with something called an extended dwelling coverage or dwelling extension. These are not the same.

• Dwelling extension – Increases your Coverage A limit if the cost to rebuild your main home exceeds your original insured amount.
• Other structures limit – Applies only to Coverage B and covers detached features like sheds, fences and garages that are not physically connected to your home.

If you have recently added new buildings or made upgrades on your property, adjusting your other structures coverage is more appropriate than relying on extra dwelling protection.

How to know if you need more coverage

Before you decide if your current limit is enough, it helps to take stock of what's actually on your property. Detached structures can add up quickly, and their replacement value might surprise you. These quick questions can help you get a clearer picture of whether your coverage fits your needs.

• Have I added any new detached features to my property? – Consider new sheds, gazebos or outdoor kitchens.
• Would it cost more than 10% of my home's value to replace them all? – This is often the default limit under many policies.
• Am I confident my current limit would fully cover these structures? – Reassessing your needs can help avoid gaps after a loss.

What you can do next

Walk around your property and take note of anything that is not attached to your house. Estimate how much it would cost to replace those features. Then, locate the Coverage B section of your homeowners insurance declarations page and see how the limit compares.

If your coverage is too low or unclear, a VIU by HUB Advisor can help you understand your options and make adjustments to protect your entire property, not just your roof and walls.

FAQs

Is landscaping covered under the other structures limit?

No, landscaping features like trees, shrubs, flower beds or garden decorations are typically not covered under Coverage B. These items may have limited coverage elsewhere in your policy, or they might not be covered at all unless damaged by a specifically listed peril, like fire. If you've invested in professional landscaping, it's worth asking your advisor whether you need extra protection.

Do other structures need to be listed individually in my policy?

In most cases, your insurance doesn't require you to list each detached structure by name to be covered under the other structures limit. However, if you've added high-value items like a guest house, greenhouse or custom-built pool house, it's smart to notify your insurance company. Doing so means those structures are adequately covered and may prompt an adjustment to your policy.

Does Coverage B apply if I'm building a new structure?

Coverage B generally applies to completed, permanent structures, not those under construction. If you're currently building a shed, detached garage or similar item, it may not be covered until it's finished. You might need to add a temporary construction endorsement or wait until the structure is complete to have it protected under your standard homeowners insurance.