Other Structures Coverage for California Homeowners
What is it, and how much do you need?
Other Structures coverage is part of your homeowners insurance, and it protects things on your property not created by mother nature or connected to your home—like your driveway, pool, fence, shed, detached garage, tree house, and so on.
What is other structures coverage?
If structures on your property are damaged, your other structures coverage (or ‘coverage B’ in insurance lingo) can pay for the repairs.
And what types of damages are your other structures covered for? The same perils as your home! So if your dwelling coverage (insurance lingo for coverage for your home’s structure) says you’re covered for risks like theft, fire, and vandalism, your other structures will most likely be covered too.
How much other structures coverage do I need?
You’ll notice your other structures coverage is defaulted to 10% of your dwelling coverage limit. For instance, if you’ve got $500,000 worth of coverage on your home, you will automatically be provided with $50,000 worth of coverage on your other structures.
While many smaller structures such as fences and small sheds can typically be replaced in the event of a loss for less than 10% of the average dwelling coverage limit, here’s a look at some examples of other structures as well as a rough estimate of their average replacement costs as of 2023:
- In-ground pools—average replacement cost around $100k, depending on construction material, size, and features such as slides.
- Sports courts (such as basketball or tennis court)—average replacement cost around $80k, depending on construction material, size, and features such as lighting and enclosure.
- Outdoor kitchens or fixed barbeques—minimum replacement cost for the hardscaping alone of a small outdoor kitchen is around $10k and does not contemplate the replacement cost of any grills, refrigerators, or other appliances installed. Replacement cost will vary significantly depending on size, appliances, features, construction material of the hardscaping, and any overhead coverings.
- Pool houses—average replacement cost around $100k for a small pool house, varies significantly depending on construction materials, roof covering, square footage, and finishes.
- Detached garages—minimum replacement cost of $40k for a small garage, varies significantly depending on size (number of cars), height, construction materials, roof covering and whether there is any finished living space in the structure.
- Stables or barns—minimum replacement cost of $80k for a small structure, varies significantly depending on framing, square footage, construction materials, roof covering, and number of stalls.
- Finished garage or recreational room—minimum replacement cost of $90k for a small structure, varies significantly depending on framing, square footage, height, construction materials, roof covering, interior finish, and whether there is any finished living space in the structure.
5 tips for estimating your other structures replacement cost
- Consider the size, construction materials, and construction quality of your structures.
- For dwelling-like other structures, consider how their size and construction quality compare to your house itself.
- If you recently had a structure installed, the price you paid for it may be appropriate to use as long as it has not changed since the installation, but keep inflation and other market changes in mind.
- When in doubt, consult a local contractor or business that specializes in the construction of the structure for an estimate.
- If you have multiple other structures, you’ll need to add the replacement cost of each of those structures together to determine the total amount of coverage you’ll need. This includes structures such as fencing, hardscaping, landscaping walls, patios, carports, decks, driveways, fountains, hot tubs, portable buildings, solar panels, storage sheds, and sidewalks.
What if you don’t have any other structures?
Even if you don’t have any other structures, you’ll still be provided other structures coverage with a limit of 10% of your dwelling coverage limit. This amount is automatically included in your homeowners policy at no additional cost.
If any ‘other structures’ are added to your property, you’ll want to consider increasing your ‘other structures’ coverage limit if the cost to replace all other structures exceeds 10% of your dwelling coverage limit.
