Is my workshop covered under the house insurance?

I live outside Birmingham and have my home insured through Alfa. One thing I’ve always been a little unclear about is how coverage works for buildings that aren’t attached to the house.

We have a detached garage and a small workshop in the backyard that I use for woodworking. If something happened to one of those buildings during a storm, would my homeowners policy cover it the same way it covers the house?

With Alfa homeowners insurance, buildings like a detached garage or backyard workshop are usually covered, but not in exactly the same way as your house.

Most homeowners policies include coverage for other structures. That means buildings on your property that are not attached to your home, like a detached garage, shed, or workshop. So if a storm damages one of those buildings, your Alfa policy will often help pay for repairs.

The main difference is the coverage limit. Your house gets its own main coverage amount, but detached buildings are usually covered for a smaller amount based on a percentage of that. For example, if your home is insured for $300,000, you might have about $30,000 in coverage for detached structures.

What caused the damage matters too. If the damage came from something covered by your policy, like wind or hail, there’s a good chance it would be covered. But damage from age, neglect, or lack of upkeep usually is not.

If you keep expensive tools or woodworking equipment in the workshop, those items may be covered under a different part of your policy. You can also add endorsements to help cover any gaps you might have. That’s why it’s smart to make sure your coverage matches what you actually have.

A good next step is to ask your Alfa agent:

• How much coverage do I have for detached buildings?
• Would my workshop and garage both fall under that amount?
• Do I need extra coverage for tools or equipment?

Detached buildings are often covered, but it’s worth checking the details now so you’re not caught off guard later.