Protection for the Structures Beyond Your Home
Coverage B (Other Structures) protects permanent structures on your property that are not attached to your home.
While Coverage A protects your house itself, Coverage B is designed to protect detached garages, fences, sheds, workshops, and similar structures.
Understanding the difference between Coverage A and Coverage B makes it easier to see which part of your policy may apply after a covered loss.
What Does Coverage B Protect?
Coverage B helps pay to repair or rebuild permanent structures on your property that are separate from your home after a covered loss.
Common examples include:
Rule of thumb: If it is a permanent structure on your property but is not attached to your home, it is generally considered part of Coverage B.
How Much Coverage Do I Have?
Most homeowners policies automatically include Coverage B as a percentage of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A).
For many policies, Coverage B is set at 10% of your Coverage A limit, although the exact amount can vary by insurance company and policy.
For example:
If you have a detached garage, workshop, guest house, or other valuable structures on your property, it's a good idea to review whether your Coverage B limit provides enough protection.
Common Misconception
Many homeowners assume every structure on their property is covered under Coverage A (Dwelling).
In reality, detached structures are generally insured separately under Coverage B (Other Structures). This includes structures that are permanently built but are not physically attached to your home.
A detached garage, storage shed, fence, or gazebo may all be covered under Coverage B, while an attached garage is generally considered part of Coverage A (Dwelling).
The easiest way to tell the difference: If it's attached to your home, it's generally Coverage A. If it's detached, it's generally Coverage B.
Real-World Example
A severe thunderstorm blows down a large tree, damaging your detached garage and backyard fence.
Because both structures are permanently built but are not attached to your home, the repairs would generally fall under Coverage B (Other Structures), subject to your deductible, policy limits, and policy terms.
Remember: Although the detached garage is on the same property as your home, it is usually insured separately from the dwelling itself.
The Bottom Line
Coverage B protects the permanent structures on your property that aren't attached to your home.
Knowing the difference between Coverage A and Coverage B can help you better understand your homeowners insurance and avoid confusion if you ever need to file a claim.
If you're unsure whether a structure on your property is covered under Coverage A or Coverage B, I'd be happy to review your policy and help you understand exactly what your homeowners insurance protects.
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