Is Your Detached Garage or Shed Covered By a Standard Homeowners Insurance Policy?

For many homeowners, detached garages, sheds and other outbuildings are essential parts of their property. Whether you use these structures for storage or as a workspace, it’s important to know if they’re covered under your homeowners insurance policy.

At Shirer Insurance Services, we want to help you understand how your coverage works so you can feel confident that your property is suitably insured.

What Does a Standard Homeowners Policy Cover?

Most standard homeowners insurance policies offer coverage for “other structures.” If you have this coverage, then detached garages, sheds, fences and similar buildings on your property may be covered for many of the same risks as your main home, such as fire, wind, theft, or vandalism. However, this coverage usually comes with its own limit, often set at a percentage of your home’s insured value.

Common Exclusions and Limitations

While “other structures” coverage is a valuable part of your policy, there are some important limitations to keep in mind:

• Know your coverage limits. The amount available for detached structures may be lower than your main dwelling coverage.
• If you use your garage or shed for business purposes, standard coverage may not apply.
• High-value items stored in these buildings, like tools or equipment, may have separate limits or exclusions.
• Damage from neglect, wear and tear, or pests is generally not covered.

How Our Team Can Help

Every property is unique, and so are your insurance needs. Our team at Shirer Insurance Services can review your current policy, explain your “other structures” coverage and help you determine if additional protection is needed. We can also discuss options for increasing your limits or adding endorsements to cover business use or valuable items stored in your detached buildings.

If you have a detached garage, shed or other outbuildings, don’t leave your coverage to chance. Contact us today to review your homeowners insurance and make sure your entire property is insured.

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.