What Does Coverage B (Other Structures) Really Protect on Your Home Insurance Policy?

When most homeowners think about insurance, they think about the house itself. But what about everything around it – the fence keeping your dog safe, the detached garage holding tools and bikes, or the shed storing your lawn equipment?

Those items fall under a part of your policy many people overlook: Coverage B – Other Structures. Understanding Coverage B on a homeowners policy can help you avoid out-of-pocket surprises after a loss.

What Is Coverage B – Other Structures?

Coverage B protects structures on your property not attached to your main home. Think of it as protection for the things making your property functional – not just livable. This coverage is included on Edison Insurance Company homeowners (HO-3) policies and protects detached structures on your property.

What Coverage B on a Homeowners Policy Covers

Coverage B typically applies to detached structures such as:

• Fences and gates
• Detached garages
• Storage sheds and workshops
• Gazebos, pergolas, and tiki huts
• Detached pool equipment buildings
• Carports not attached to the home

So if a windstorm knocks over your fence or damages a shed, the claim usually falls under Coverage B.

How Screen Enclosures Are Covered at Edison

Screen enclosures don’t fit neatly into one category – so Edison gives homeowners flexible options.

• Attached screen enclosures are part of Coverage A (Dwelling).
• Detached screen enclosures fall under Coverage B (Other Structures).

Hurricane damage to screen enclosures requires optional add-on coverage, giving homeowners the ability to extend protection where Florida weather creates the greatest risk.

Coverage applies to the screen structure itself, not the mesh – so it’s the framing and supports that are protected.

How Much Coverage B Comes With an Edison Policy?

Edison’s HO-3 (homeowners) policy includes Coverage B at 2% of your Coverage A limit by default. For example, if your home is insured for $350,000, your base Coverage B limit is $7,000. It might sound like plenty – until you price out replacements:

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Suddenly, the 2% limit can disappear quickly.

When Should You Increase Coverage B?

Edison allows homeowners to increase Coverage B to 5%, 10%, or 15% of your Coverage A limit.

If you have large fenced areas, detached garages, multiple sheds, or custom outdoor structures, it’s worth reviewing Coverage B on your homeowners policy and whether the limit matches what you actually own.

Can You Exclude Coverage B From Your Policy?

Yes, Coverage B can be excluded entirely. This may make sense for properties with no detached structures. But, for most Florida homeowners, it leaves valuable property unprotected.

What Coverage B Does Not Cover

Coverage B does not apply to:

• Land or landscaping
• Other structures used in whole or in part for business purposes
• The screen mesh itself on screen enclosures – only the structure

Also, using Coverage B does not reduce your Coverage A limit – the two are tracked separately.

FAQs: Coverage B on a Homeowners Policy

Coverage B is one of the most misunderstood parts of a homeowners policy. The following answers cover the questions Edison agents hear most often from Florida homeowners.

Does Coverage B have a separate deductible?

No. Losses under Coverage B are subject to the same deductible that applies to the rest of your policy. This means your All Other Perils (AOP) deductible applies for most claims, and your hurricane deductible applies for hurricane-related losses.

Will filing a Coverage B claim reduce my Coverage A limit?

No. Coverage B has its own limit. Using it does not reduce your dwelling coverage.

Is my fence covered if it falls from old age?

No. Wear and tear and lack of maintenance are not covered causes of loss.

Do I need to list every structure separately?

Not usually – but you should review your total limit if you’ve added structures since buying your policy.

Review Your Coverage B Ahead of Storm Season

Your home is more than four walls. The structures around it matter too. Before hurricane season, take 5 minutes to walk your property and make a list of everything not physically attached to your home. Then ask your Edison agent one simple question:

Is Coverage B on my homeowners policy high enough for everything on my property?

A small adjustment now can save you thousands later.

‍Contact your agent now. Not yet insured by Edison Insurance Company? Get a quote online. 

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