Is other structures coverage required?

Other structures insurance, sometimes called Coverage B, is automatically included in standard homeowners policies. If you have any detached structures on your property, your lender may require you to have other structures coverage to cover those structures, such as a fence, shed or garage. If you do not have detached structures on your property, the coverage is optional, but is typically unable to be removed, since it is built into the base policy. But since other structures coverage is a standard part of a homeowners policy, not an endorsement, you are not paying an additional premium for the coverage.

Is a pool considered an other structure?

How your homeowners insurance covers swimming pools will largely depend on the insurance company and the type of pool you own. Above-ground pools (or any pool that is considered portable) may be included in personal property coverage, while in-ground pools (which are considered a more permanent fixture) are typically included in other structures coverage. Any injuries sustained by guests as a result of the pool may fall under liability coverage. The best way to understand how your pool is covered may be to talk to your home insurance company.

Are driveways considered other structures?

Yes, private driveways and sidewalks that are not connected to your home are typically considered other structures on a standard homeowners insurance policy. For example, if you have a garage or shed with a driveway leading to it, the garage or shed and driveway would all be covered under other structures coverage. Even mailboxes are covered. So, if someone knocks over your mailbox and damages it, other structures coverage would help pay for you to replace it.

I have belongings in my outdoor shed or separate garage. How are they covered?

The other structures coverage in your homeowners policy is specifically for the other structures themselves. Anything within it is still usually covered by your personal property coverage. If you run a business and store work equipment inside the structure, you may want to consider a home business policy endorsement to cover your belongings, as the personal property coverage on a homeowners policy is generally only for personal belongings. Reach out to your insurance agent for clarification about what is covered.

What are the other coverage types in a home insurance policy?

A standard homeowners insurance policy typically includes your home’s physical structure, which is known as dwelling coverage, along with your personal belongings, which is called personal property coverage. Your policy also includes liability coverage and guest medical payment coverage. If your home is damaged by a covered peril and you can’t remain in the home, your policy may also include loss of use coverage, which pays for temporary housing, food and transportation.

What’s the best home insurance company?

There is not a single best home insurance company for everyone. Some homeowners may focus on price alone, while others care more about coverage options, endorsements, discounts or customer service. Generally speaking, Bankrate’s analysis found some of the best home insurance companies to be USAA, Auto-Owners, Amica and NJM. Once you determine your coverage needs and what matters most to you from an insurance company, consider getting several quotes from different companies. Compare the same types of coverage, policy limits (or as close as possible) and deductibles from all insurers to determine which offers the coverage you're seeking at the best price.

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Other structures coverage in home insurance: what it is and how it works

Written by

Jessica Gibson

Edited by

Amelia Buckley

Edited by

Amelia Buckley

Updated Jul 01, 2025

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What is other structures coverage?

Standard homeowners insurance policies include coverage for your dwelling and personal property, but they also include other structures coverage. This covers structures that aren’t attached to your home like sheds, fences, gazebos and detached garages.

Depending on your policy, your other structures coverage typically provides coverage up to a percentage of the dwelling coverage — commonly 10 percent. For instance, if you have a home insurance policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage, your other structures coverage limit would be $30,000. Keep in mind that other structures coverage does not cover items stored inside the structures.

You may be able to raise your other structures coverage percentage if you have high-value detached structures. Keep in mind that raising the coverage amount will increase the cost of homeowners insurance for your property.

What is considered an other structure?

Other structures in home insurance are defined as anything not attached to the home but on your property. A standard home insurance policy may be sufficient to cover your other structures, but if you have several, you might need to increase your coverage.

What other structures coverage covers

If you have an HO-3 or HO-5 home insurance policy, your other structures coverage is likely automatically included, and it is probably written on an “open perils” basis. This means that any peril not specifically excluded in the policy is covered.

Two notable common exclusions are flooding and earthquakes. Standard policies do not cover these perils, so you may want to ask your agent about purchasing a rider or separate policy. Some other exclusions may include normal wear and tear, insect damage and gradual water damage (such as wood rot caused by seepage).

Other structures may include:

Detached garages
Detached patios or decks
Driveways
Fences
Gazebos
Guest houses or in-law structures
In-ground pools
Mailboxes or light posts
Sheds

As other structures coverage is typically set at 10 percent of the dwelling coverage limit of a standard home policy, it’s very important to ensure you have an adequate level of coverage in this area. For example, if you just built an in-ground swimming pool which is valued over $100,000, you are going to want to increase your other structures limit. Further, it’s very important that you inform your insurance agent or carrier if you make improvements to your home that would be covered under other structures.
Mark Friedlander, Senior Director of Media Relations, Triple-I

One caveat: if you are using a structure on your property for business purposes, it may not be covered under your standard homeowners policy. Something as simple as a shed converted to an office may need an additional rider in certain cases. The same applies if you rent out an in-law apartment or accessory dwelling unit through a vacation rental service like Airbnb. In these instances, you may want to speak with your insurance agent about a business or rental rider to ensure that you are adequately covered.

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How much other structures coverage do you need?

A standard homeowners policy typically includes coverage for other structures at 10 to 20 percent of the dwelling coverage on your policy. This amount is usually part of the policy whether you have detached structures on your property or not.

What if you have a structure on your property that is worth more than your coverage limits? For instance, maybe you own a large detached garage with indoor plumbing and electricity. In this case, you may want to speak with your insurance agent to discuss increasing your separate structures coverage.

Learn more: How much homeowners insurance do I need?

Other structures: ACV vs RCV

It may be worth checking with your agent to see if the other structures coverage in your policy is based on actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV).

If you file a claim for other structures based on actual cash value, depreciation and wear and tear can affect your claim payout amount. For example, if your 20-year-old shed needs to be rebuilt due to a fire, the insurance company may only pay for the value of the aged shed.

Replacement cost value, on the other hand, pays you what it would cost to build a new shed, regardless of the actual value of the burned building. So, if you built that shed 20 years ago for $3,000, but now it will take $15,000 to rebuild, then you would get a check for $15,000 (if that amount doesn’t exceed the coverage limit of your other structures coverage) minus your deductible. Adding a replacement cost value endorsement may not afford you the cheapest homeowners insurance, but it could provide more robust financial protection.

It is important to note that some insurers may only cover other structures at actual cash value, even if your home is covered with replacement cost coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Other structures insurance, sometimes called Coverage B, is automatically included in standard homeowners policies. If you have any detached structures on your property, your lender may require you to have other structures coverage to cover those structures, such as a fence, shed or garage. If you do not have detached structures on your property, the coverage is optional, but is typically unable to be removed, since it is built into the base policy. But since other structures coverage is a standard part of a homeowners policy, not an endorsement, you are not paying an additional premium for the coverage.
How your homeowners insurance covers swimming pools will largely depend on the insurance company and the type of pool you own. Above-ground pools (or any pool that is considered portable) may be included in personal property coverage, while in-ground pools (which are considered a more permanent fixture) are typically included in other structures coverage. Any injuries sustained by guests as a result of the pool may fall under liability coverage. The best way to understand how your pool is covered may be to talk to your home insurance company.
Yes, private driveways and sidewalks that are not connected to your home are typically considered other structures on a standard homeowners insurance policy. For example, if you have a garage or shed with a driveway leading to it, the garage or shed and driveway would all be covered under other structures coverage. Even mailboxes are covered. So, if someone knocks over your mailbox and damages it, other structures coverage would help pay for you to replace it.
The other structures coverage in your homeowners policy is specifically for the other structures themselves. Anything within it is still usually covered by your personal property coverage. If you run a business and store work equipment inside the structure, you may want to consider a home business policy endorsement to cover your belongings, as the personal property coverage on a homeowners policy is generally only for personal belongings. Reach out to your insurance agent for clarification about what is covered.
A standard homeowners insurance policy typically includes your home’s physical structure, which is known as dwelling coverage, along with your personal belongings, which is called personal property coverage. Your policy also includes liability coverage and guest medical payment coverage. If your home is damaged by a covered peril and you can’t remain in the home, your policy may also include loss of use coverage, which pays for temporary housing, food and transportation.
There is not a single best home insurance company for everyone. Some homeowners may focus on price alone, while others care more about coverage options, endorsements, discounts or customer service. Generally speaking, Bankrate’s analysis found some of the best home insurance companies to be USAA, Auto-Owners, Amica and NJM. Once you determine your coverage needs and what matters most to you from an insurance company, consider getting several quotes from different companies. Compare the same types of coverage, policy limits (or as close as possible) and deductibles from all insurers to determine which offers the coverage you're seeking at the best price.

Written by

Jessica Gibson

Contributor, Insurance