Wind and Hail Damage to Fences, Sheds, and Other Structures

How Coverage B Works

Coverage B, also called Other Structures coverage, is a standard part of the HO-3 homeowners insurance policy. It covers structures on your property that are not physically attached to your main dwelling. The most common structures covered include detached garages, storage sheds, fences, gazebos, pergolas, guest houses, pool houses, barns (on residential properties), mailbox structures, and driveways or walkways.

The coverage limit for Other Structures is typically set at 10% of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A). If your home is insured for $300,000, your Other Structures coverage is $30,000. This $30,000 is the total available for all other structures combined, not a per-structure limit. If a storm damages your fence, your shed, and your detached garage, the combined cost of repairing all three comes out of that single $30,000 pool.

You can increase the Coverage B limit beyond the standard 10% by purchasing additional coverage from your insurer, usually as an endorsement. This is worth considering if you have a high-value detached garage, a guest house, or other expensive structures that could exceed the default limit if damaged.

Fences: What Is Covered

Wind damage to fences is one of the most common Coverage B claims. High winds can blow down fence panels, snap posts at ground level, or lean sections over to the point where they need to be replaced. Hail can crack or chip vinyl fencing and dent aluminum or metal fencing. All of these types of damage are covered under your homeowners policy as long as wind or hail was the cause.

The insurer will pay to repair or replace the damaged sections of fence, not the entire fence. If a storm blows down 30 feet of a 200-foot fence, the insurer pays for the 30-foot section. If the replacement panels do not match the existing fence due to fading, aging, or a discontinued style, the insurer is only required to provide materials of similar kind and quality, not an exact cosmetic match.

Fence claims are subject to your deductible. If 30 feet of fence costs $800 to replace and your deductible is $1,000, you receive nothing from the insurer because the repair cost does not exceed the deductible. If you have a separate wind and hail deductible, that deductible applies to fence damage caused by wind or hail. For homes with percentage-based wind and hail deductibles, the deductible can easily exceed the cost of a typical fence repair, making the claim not worth filing.

Fence damage caused by a tree falling during a windstorm is also covered. The insurer pays for the fence repair and typically pays for removal of the fallen tree as well, usually up to $500 to $1,000 per tree for debris removal.

Sheds: Coverage and Limitations

Storage sheds are covered under Coverage B for wind and hail damage. This includes damage to the shed structure itself (roof, walls, doors, windows) as well as damage to the foundation or floor. If wind tears the roof off a shed, hail punctures the siding, or a storm flattens the entire structure, the repair or replacement cost is covered up to your Coverage B limit.

The contents of the shed are covered under Coverage C (Personal Property), not Coverage B. Tools, lawn equipment, bicycles, and other items stored in a damaged shed are covered as personal property, subject to their own coverage limits and sub-limits. High-value items stored in a shed may need to be specifically scheduled on your policy if they exceed the standard personal property sub-limits.

Prefabricated sheds and sheds that sit on the ground without a permanent foundation are sometimes valued differently than built-in-place sheds with concrete foundations. The insurer may treat a lightweight prefab shed as having a shorter useful life and apply more depreciation on an ACV claim. If your shed is covered at actual cash value, the payout on an older prefab shed may be minimal because the depreciated value is low.

If your shed is used for any business purpose, such as storing business inventory or equipment or operating as a home office or workshop, standard homeowners insurance may not cover it. Business use typically requires a separate business insurance policy or a home business endorsement on your homeowners policy.

Detached Garages

Detached garages are often the most valuable other structure on a residential property and represent the largest potential Coverage B claim. A detached garage with finished space, electrical wiring, plumbing, or heating can easily cost $30,000 to $80,000 or more to replace, which may exceed the standard 10% Coverage B limit on many policies.

Wind and hail damage to detached garages is covered the same way as damage to any other structure: the insurer pays to repair or replace the damaged components. For roof damage, this means new shingles, underlayment, and any damaged decking. For structural damage from a tornado or severe straight-line winds, this could mean rebuilding the entire structure.

If your detached garage is worth more than your Coverage B limit, increase the limit. The premium increase for additional Coverage B coverage is typically modest because other structures claims are less frequent and less expensive than dwelling claims. Paying an extra $50 to $150 per year for adequate Coverage B is far better than discovering you are $20,000 short after a storm destroys your detached garage.

Vehicles inside a damaged detached garage are not covered by homeowners insurance. Vehicle damage from a storm, whether the vehicle is in a garage or parked outside, is covered by the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy. If a storm damages both your garage and the car inside it, you will file two separate claims with two separate insurance policies.

Other Structures: Pools, Decks, and Driveways

Swimming pools, hot tubs, decks, patios, retaining walls, and driveways are all covered under Coverage B for storm damage. Hail can crack pool coping and deck boards. Wind can tear off deck railings and destroy pool enclosures. These repairs are covered up to the Coverage B limit, subject to the deductible.

In-ground pools are typically covered as other structures, while above-ground pools may be classified as personal property depending on the insurer. The distinction matters because the coverage limits, deductibles, and depreciation schedules may differ between Coverage B and Coverage C.

Driveways and walkways damaged by falling trees during a windstorm are covered, but damage from normal settling, frost heave, or tree root growth is not. The insurer only pays for damage caused by a covered peril, not for gradual deterioration.

Filing a Coverage B Claim for Storm Damage

The claims process for other structures follows the same general steps as a dwelling claim. Document the damage with photos and video before making any temporary repairs. File the claim promptly with your insurer. Get estimates from contractors for the repair or replacement work. Meet with the adjuster to review the damage and discuss the scope of repairs.

One important consideration: if a storm damages both your dwelling and your other structures, you may have two deductibles to consider. Some policies apply a single deductible to the entire storm event, covering both Coverage A and Coverage B claims. Other policies apply the deductible separately to each coverage, meaning you could owe the deductible twice. Check your policy language or ask your agent to clarify which approach your policy uses.

For small other structures claims, particularly fence sections or minor shed repairs, consider whether filing the claim makes financial sense after the deductible. A $1,200 fence repair with a $1,000 deductible nets you only $200 from the insurer, but the claim goes on your record and could affect future premiums or renewability. Sometimes paying for minor other structures repairs out of pocket is the better financial decision.

When the repair cost is substantial, such as a destroyed shed, major garage damage, or extensive fence replacement, filing the claim makes clear sense. Document everything thoroughly, get multiple estimates, and work with the adjuster to ensure all damage is captured in the scope of repairs.