Complete Protection for Your Fences, Garages & Pools

Q: Is my in‑ground pool covered if it's damaged by hail or debris?

Yes, an in‑ground pool is considered an 'other structure' and is covered under your policy's Other Structures limit. Coverage includes the pool shell, decking, filtration equipment, and heating systems. Hail can cause significant damage to pool covers, solar heating elements, and above‑ground equipment. It's worth noting that pool repairs can be expensive — often exceeding $15,000 for moderate damage — so ensure your limits are adequate to cover your specific pool's replacement cost.

Your home is more than just the main house. Detached garages, privacy fences, storage sheds, pools, and gazebos are valuable assets that need their own layer of protection. Here's how to make sure they're fully covered.

Fences & Privacy Walls Detached Garages & Sheds Pools, Spas & Gazebos

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The Value of Your Other Structures — By the Numbers

Avg. Fence Replacement

$6,500

Typical cost to replace a 150‑foot privacy fence in North Texas after storm damage.

Detached Garage Rebuild

$35K+

Reconstruction cost for a standard 2‑car detached garage in the DFW metroplex.

Pool & Spa Repair

$12K–$45K

Cost to repair or replace an in‑ground pool, decking, and equipment after a storm.

Standard Coverage Cap

10%

Most policies cap other structures at 10% of your dwelling limit — often far less than true replacement value.

What's at Risk? — 3 Common Other Structures Scenarios

The Fence That Blew Down

A spring thunderstorm rolls through Frisco with straight‑line winds exceeding 70 mph. Your wood privacy fence — 180 feet of it — is flattened in minutes. The cost to remove debris, install new posts, and rebuild with quality cedar runs $6,500 or more. If your other structures limit is capped at 10% of a $350,000 dwelling, that's only $35,000 total for every other structure on your property — fences, garages, sheds, and pools combined. After rebuilding just the fence, you've already used nearly 20% of that cap.

The Detached Garage That Took a Hit

A large oak tree, weakened by weeks of drought, crashes through the roof of your detached garage. The structure houses your classic car, lawn equipment, and holiday decorations. The garage itself needs a new roof, wall framing, and electrical work — $35,000 minimum. Your standard policy's 10% other structures limit leaves you thousands of dollars short. Many homeowners discover this gap only after the adjuster's estimate arrives, when it's too late to add coverage.

The Pool That Became a Liability

Hail the size of golf balls pounds your neighborhood, shattering your pool's solar cover, damaging the pool deck, and cracking the skimmer housing. The repair bill approaches $18,000. Worse, the debris that blew into the pool damaged the filtration system and pump. Without sufficient coverage for "other structures," you're paying for most of this out of pocket. And that doesn't include the potential liability if a guest slips on the damaged pool deck — which is a separate but equally important concern.

The 10% Trap — Why Standard Limits Fall Short

What the Default 10% Actually Buys You

Most standard home insurance policies set the "Other Structures" limit at 10% of your dwelling coverage. For a $400,000 home, that's $40,000 total — for all your detached structures combined. A single detached garage can cost $35,000 to rebuild. A quality privacy fence can run $8,000. A pool and deck can exceed $45,000 to repair after a storm. Add them together, and you're looking at $75,000 to $100,000 in potential replacement value — far beyond the standard cap.

How to Close the Gap

The solution is straightforward: increase your Other Structures coverage limit. Most carriers allow you to raise this percentage to 20% or even 30% of your dwelling limit, or to set a specific dollar amount that reflects the actual replacement cost of your property's other structures. A simple coverage review can identify whether your current limit is adequate. We'll help you calculate the true replacement cost of each structure — fences, garages, sheds, pools, and more — and adjust your policy accordingly. It's an inexpensive adjustment that can save you tens of thousands of dollars when disaster strikes.

Storm Impact Profile — One Frisco Neighborhood's Story

June 12 — Storm Hits

High Winds and Hail Pound the Neighborhood

A severe thunderstorm moves through a Frisco subdivision, bringing 75 mph straight‑line winds and baseball‑sized hail. Within 30 minutes, dozens of homes sustain damage — not just to roofs, but to everything outside. Fences are toppled, detached garage roofs are punctured, pool covers are shredded, and debris is scattered across yards.

June 13 — Damage Assessment

Homeowners Begin to Inventory the Damage

Families walk their properties, documenting the destruction. One homeowner discovers her wood fence is completely destroyed on two sides — $6,200 in damage. Her neighbor's detached garage has a hole in the roof and water damage inside. Another neighbor's pool equipment is wrecked. They all assume their home insurance will cover it. But the reality hits when they review their policies: the 10% other structures limit is woefully inadequate.

June 15 — The Coverage Gap Revealed

Insurance Adjusters Arrive — and So Do the Shortfalls

One by one, homeowners receive their claim estimates. The family with the destroyed fence gets $6,200 approved. The family with the damaged garage gets $25,000 approved — but the actual repair estimate is $35,000. The pool owner gets $11,000, but the true cost of repairs is $18,000. Each homeowner is left with a significant out‑of‑pocket gap. The lesson: default limits are rarely enough in North Texas, where storms can strike multiple structures at once.

July — The Aftermath

Families Make Tough Financial Decisions

Some homeowners choose to delay repairs, leaving damaged fences and pools for months. Others dip into savings or take out loans to cover the gaps. A few families with adequate coverage — who had proactively increased their Other Structures limits — moved through the claims process without financial strain. Their foresight saved them from the stress and expense that so many others endured.

Your Other Structures Protection Grid

Fences & Privacy Walls

Covers damage from wind, hail, falling trees, and vehicle impact to your fencing, gates, and privacy walls. Includes both wood and metal fencing, with replacement cost options available. Most policies include this under your other structures limit, but it's worth verifying the specific dollar amount assigned to your fence.

Detached Garages & Sheds

Separate structures not attached to your main home — including garages, workshops, storage sheds, and barns. Coverage includes the structure itself, its roof, walls, electrical systems, and sometimes the contents inside. If you use your detached garage as a workshop or storage area, we'll help you add appropriate limits for tools and equipment.

Pools, Spas & Gazebos

Covers in‑ground and above‑ground pools, hot tubs, pool decks, and attached gazebos or pergolas. Includes damage from storm debris, equipment failure, and fire. Pool liability coverage is often included but may require separate limits for high‑value installations — especially if you have a custom pool with water features, lighting, or elaborate decking.

Protect Your Entire Property: Your main house is the largest structure, but it's not the only one. Make sure you understand how your other structures coverage works and whether it's adequate. For more on protecting the primary building, visit House & Roof Structure Coverage.

Fences, Garages & Pools — Your Questions

1. Does my home insurance cover a fence that was blown down by wind?

Yes, wind damage to your fence is typically covered under the Other Structures section of your home insurance policy. However, the coverage limit is usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage — typically 10%. If your dwelling is insured for $350,000, you have $35,000 total for all other structures combined. A standard privacy fence can cost $5,000 to $10,000 to replace, so it's important to know whether your limit is adequate for all your other structures combined.

2. What if a tree falls on my detached garage — is that covered?

Yes, if a tree falls on your detached garage due to wind, storm, or other covered peril, the damage is typically covered under your Other Structures limit. The cost to rebuild a detached garage can range from $25,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on size and construction quality. This is why we often recommend increasing your Other Structures limit beyond the standard 10% — especially if you have a garage, workshop, or other high‑value detached buildings on your property.

3. Is my in‑ground pool covered if it's damaged by hail or debris?

Yes, an in‑ground pool is considered an "other structure" and is covered under your policy's Other Structures limit. Coverage includes the pool shell, decking, filtration equipment, and heating systems. Hail can cause significant damage to pool covers, solar heating elements, and above‑ground equipment. It's worth noting that pool repairs can be expensive — often exceeding $15,000 for moderate damage — so ensure your limits are adequate to cover your specific pool's replacement cost.

4. Can I increase my Other Structures coverage limit beyond the standard 10%?

Absolutely. Most major carriers allow you to increase your Other Structures limit to 20% or 30% of your dwelling coverage, or to a specific dollar amount. Increasing this limit is one of the most affordable policy adjustments you can make, and it provides substantial protection for your detached structures. We'll help you calculate the true replacement cost of your fences, garage, pool, and any other structures, then adjust your policy to match.