You have just invested in your new backyard Gazebo. This roofed outdoor structure provides you with a relaxing way to enjoy tranquility or entertain your guests giving you an open view of everything around you. Your gazebo can provide you with shelter from the hot sun, sit on top of a hill on your property so you can take in the view or serve as a focal point in your garden setting.
But, what happens if your new gazebo becomes damaged from a storm, fire, tree branch or other type of disaster? Is it covered by your homeowners insurance policy?
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Gazebos?
This is a great question considering your gazebo is a highly valuable investment. Having to have it repaired can get fairly costly too. You may want to sit down with your independent insurance agent to see if damage to your gazebo is covered under your homeowner’s policy.
You may be wondering, “What does homeowner’s insurance cover?”. There are four common and essential types of coverage in a standard homeowner’s insurance policy which include:
- Protection for your home structure (including detached structures).
- Liability protection.
- Protection for your personal possessions.
- Protection for living expenses should your home be damaged by an insured disaster and you are not able to live in it temporarily.
Since your gazebo is considered a “detached structure” like a shed or your garage, it falls under the ‘home structure’ coverage in your homeowner’s policy and typically is covered up to around 10 percent of your home structure coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
If your gazebo is of high-value, it may be a good idea to add on additional protection for it which can be added right to your homeowner’s policy. Your insurance company will increase the coverage for the gazebo and list it on your policy. This will increase your premium of your policy, but it can be worthwhile since a gazebo can be expensive.
Although your homeowner’s insurance can cover certain types of damage to your gazebo, it doesn’t cover normal wear and tear. It also doesn’t cover incidents caused by poor maintenance, so it’s important you take care of your gazebo and keep it in good condition.
If you are building a new gazebo on your property, it’s important that you let your independent insurance provider know. You should also factor in the replacement costs of your gazebo should something happen to it, so don’t forget to notify us here at BOLT Insurance Agency about your new gazebo so it’s covered in the event of a loss.
