How Do I Insure Detached Structures in Oklahoma City?

When a big hailstorm rolled through Edmond last spring, Scott and his wife thought they’d weathered the worst.

​Their roof held up fine, the house had no leaks, and their vehicles were safely tucked in the garage. But their detached two-car garage—where Scott kept his tools, his lawn equipment, and his vintage Harley—took a direct hit. Shingles were blown clean off, water leaked inside, and the damage racked up fast.

When they filed a claim, their adjuster delivered the bad news: their home insurance policy had limited coverage for detached structures, and it wasn’t nearly enough to cover the loss.

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What Are "Other Structures" in Home Insurance?

In most Oklahoma home insurance policies, anything that’s not physically attached to your main house falls under the category of "other structures." This usually includes:

• Detached garages
• Sheds
• Fences
• Gazebos
• Barns
• Pool houses

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Even though these are still on your property, they have their own coverage limit—and it’s typically a percentage of your main dwelling coverage (often around 10%).

Why This Matters for Oklahoma Homeowners

In a place like Oklahoma City—where strong winds, hail, and spring storms aren’t exactly rare—ignoring the coverage for your detached buildings can come back to bite you. Many homeowners don’t realize:
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• Detached structures aren’t automatically covered at full value.
• The 10% rule might not be enough if your detached garage or barn is expensive to replace.
• Damage to contents inside these buildings may not be covered either, depending on your policy.

What’s Typically Covered Under Detached Structures

If it qualifies as an "other structure," your policy probably covers it against the same perils as your home. That usually includes:

• Wind and hail
• Fire and smoke
• Vandalism
• Theft (in some cases)

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But coverage amounts are limited unless you’ve adjusted them. And the contents inside—like tools, bikes, or furniture—might fall under your personal property coverage instead, which has its own restrictions.

Common Gaps in Coverage to Watch Out For

Limited Coverage AmountsIf your main dwelling is insured for $300,000, your detached structures might only have $30,000 of coverage—regardless of how many you have.

Contents Inside the StructureYour riding mower or woodworking tools might not be fully covered unless you’ve scheduled them or bumped up personal property limits.

Business UseIf you run a small business or rent out space from your detached building, you may need a separate policy.
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Special Materials or Custom BuildsPole barns, custom garages, and workshops can cost a lot more than standard estimates.

How to Fix These Gaps Before the Next Storm

The good news? These problems are avoidable with the right planning.
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• Review your home insurance policy to see what percentage goes toward other structures.
• Take inventory of what’s stored in your detached garage, barn, or shed.
• Talk with an independent agent to adjust your coverage so it actually fits your property.
• Ask about endorsements or optional riders to boost protection.

Get Help from an Oklahoma-Based Agent Who Gets It

At Oklahoma Insurance Professionals, we’ve seen how fast storm damage can lead to insurance surprises. If you’ve got a detached garage, workshop, or any other structure that matters to you—don’t wait until after a storm to find out it wasn’t properly covered.
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We’re based right here in Oklahoma City and serve surrounding areas with home insurance that works in the real world—not just on paper. Reach out today and get a quote that fits your property, your goals, and your peace of mind.

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Scott Godwin
Founder

Oklahoma Insurance Professionals LLC serves Oklahoma City and the surrounding Oklahoma communities by protecting the people we work with just like we protect our own family members. Home insurance, auto insurance, business insurance, and more. We can help you find the coverage you need. ​​​