A shed in the backyard. A detached garage where the boat gets stored between crawfish season trips. A workshop out back for weekend projects. These structures show up on almost every property Leauxcal Insurance Agency reviews in Lafayette, and almost nobody thinks to ask how they’re actually insured until something happens to one of them.
Separate From the House, Separate Coverage Limit
Homeowners insurance typically divides coverage into categories, and detached structures usually fall under what’s called “other structures” coverage. This is a distinct dollar limit from your main dwelling coverage, often calculated as a percentage of your home’s insured value, commonly somewhere around 10 percent.
Why That Percentage Doesn’t Always Match Reality
Here’s where it gets tricky. If your home is insured for $250,000, a standard 10 percent allocation gives you $25,000 for every detached structure combined, sheds, garages, fences, workshops, all of it. If you’ve got a substantial detached garage housing a boat and a workshop full of tools, that $25,000 can disappear fast in a total loss.
What Actually Falls Under This Category
- Detached garages and carports
- Storage sheds and workshops
- Fences and gates
- Gazebos, pergolas, and freestanding patio covers
- Guest houses or accessory structures without their own separate policy
Louisiana Weather Doesn’t Discriminate
Hurricane winds, heavy rain, and the occasional tornado spun off from a tropical system don’t just target the main house. Detached structures, especially older sheds or garages, are often more vulnerable to wind damage than the primary residence, yet they’re covered under a smaller, often overlooked limit.
A Five-Minute Check Worth Doing
Walk your property and add up what’s actually stored in or built as a detached structure. If that number is higher than what your other structures coverage would pay out, it’s time for a conversation about adjusting your limits. Leauxcal Insurance Agency works with homeowners throughout Lafayette, LA to make sure this often-overlooked coverage actually matches what’s sitting in the backyard. Visit our home insurance page or call 337-484-1171.
