Decks and patios are covered by home insurance, but the extent of coverage depends on whether the structure is attached to your home and what caused the damage. Your policy covers decks and patios under two categories, depending on whether they're attached to the main dwelling:
Does Home Insurance Cover Decks and Patios?
Updated: July 23, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Decks and patios attached to your home are covered under dwelling coverage (Coverage A), while detached structures fall under other structures coverage (Coverage B), usually capped at 10% of your dwelling limit.
Deck and patio damage is only covered by named perils such as fire, windstorms, hail, lightning and vandalism. It excludes gradual deterioration, rot and flooding.
If your deck or patio repair cost is close to or less than your deductible, it may be smarter to pay out of pocket rather than file a claim to avoid a potential rate increase.
Does Home Insurance Cover Decks and Patios?
Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A)A deck or patio physically attached to your home (such as a deck built onto the side of the house) is classified as part of the dwelling and covered under Coverage A. This means it receives the same level of protection as the rest of your home's structure, up to your dwelling limit. That includes the full cost to repair or replace the deck if a covered peril destroys it.
Other Structures Coverage (Coverage B)A patio or deck detached from the main structure (such as a freestanding gazebo or a detached garden patio) falls under Coverage B (Other Structures). Coverage B is set at 10% of your dwelling coverage limit by default. For example, if your home is insured for $300,000, you'd have $30,000 in other structures coverage. If a covered peril destroys your detached deck or patio, replacement costs come out of that limit, split across all detached structures on your property.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Deck and Patio Damage?
Standard homeowners policies cover damage caused by the following named perils. Always verify your policy's covered perils list on your declarations page.
Wind and Hail DamageSevere storms that cause hail damage are covered as named perils, as are high winds strong enough to tear off deck boards or a patio cover. Tornado and hurricane-related wind damage may also be covered, depending on your policy and location.
- Lightning Strikes
A direct lightning strike that causes structural damage or fire to your deck or patio is a standard covered peril under most homeowners policies.
- Vandalism and Malicious Mischief
If someone intentionally damages your deck or patio, breaking boards, spray painting, or otherwise vandalizing the structure, most standard policies will cover repair or replacement costs, minus your deductible.
When Decks and Patios Aren't Covered by Homeowners Insurance
Several types of damage are routinely excluded from standard homeowners policies. These exclusions determine whether you need additional coverage.
Wear and Tear / Gradual DeteriorationHomeowners insurance is designed for sudden, accidental damage, not the slow degradation of materials over time. Rotting wood, rusting metal, or a patio that has aged and crumbled will not be covered. Regular maintenance is the homeowner's responsibility.
- Flood Damage
Standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding, including storm surges or overflowing bodies of water. If heavy rain floods your backyard and damages your patio, you'd need a separate flood insurance policy through the NFIP or a private insurer.
- Pest and Termite Damage
Damage caused by insects, rodents, or other pests, such as termites eating through deck boards, is explicitly excluded from most policies. This is considered a maintenance issue, not a sudden covered peril.
- Earth Movement / Settling
If your patio cracks or sinks due to soil erosion, settling, or ground movement, standard policies will not cover the repairs. Earthquake damage is also excluded unless you carry a separate earthquake endorsement or policy.
Covered scenarios apply only if your policy includes the relevant coverage. Standard homeowners policies vary, so always check your declarations page and speak with your insurer to confirm your protections.
Optional Add-Ons to Better Protect Your Deck or Patio
If your standard homeowners policy leaves gaps in coverage for your outdoor structures, endorsements or separate policies may fill them. Talk to your insurer about the following options:
Endorsement / Add-On | What It Covers | Choose This If... |
|---|---|---|
Extended Other Structures Coverage | Increases the default 10% Coverage B limit for detached structures like patios, gazebos, and freestanding decks. | Your detached deck or patio would cost more than 10% of your dwelling limit to rebuild. |
Flood Insurance (NFIP or Private) | Covers damage caused by flooding, storm surges, or overflowing bodies of water, which standard policies exclude. | Your yard sits in a low-lying area or near water. |
Earthquake Endorsement | Covers structural damage from earthquakes or ground shaking, including patio cracks and deck collapses caused by seismic activity. | You're in a high-risk seismic zone. |
Service Line Coverage | Covers damage to underground service lines (gas, electric, water) that may affect your patio or deck's utility connections. | Your deck has built-in electrical or gas connections. |
The most important one to check first is your Coverage B limit. If a detached deck, gazebo or patio would cost more than 10% of your dwelling limit to rebuild, extended other structures coverage closes that gap before a claim rather than after.
Flood insurance matters most if your yard sits in a low-lying area or near water — standard policies exclude flooding entirely. The earthquake endorsement is worth adding if you're in a high-risk seismic zone. Service line coverage is the most optional of the four; it only makes sense if your deck has built-in electrical or gas connections.
How to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim for Deck or Patio Damage
If your deck or patio has been damaged by a covered peril, follow these steps to file a successful claim with your homeowners insurance provider.
- 1Document the Damage Immediately
Photograph and video all damage from multiple angles before touching anything. Note when the damage happened and what caused it, since insurers ask for both. That documentation is your primary evidence for the claim.
- 2Prevent Further Damage
Most policies require you to take reasonable steps after a covered loss. Cover exposed areas with a tarp, and nail down any loose boards right away. Keep receipts for repair materials, because insurers often reimburse those costs.
- 3Contact Your Insurance Company
Report the damage to your insurer as soon as possible. Send your photo and video documentation along with a written account of what happened, plus any repair receipts. Ask about the claims timeline and how your deductible applies to the payout.
- 4Meet With the Adjuster and Review Your Settlement
An adjuster will inspect the damage and put together a repair estimate. Go through that estimate line by line. Composite decking, railings and built-in lighting are the items adjusters underprice most often, along with debris removal, so look at those charges first. If the offer's too low, request a second inspection. Hiring a public adjuster is worth it on larger claims: they charge 5% to 15% of the final settlement, and that fee is usually smaller than what they recover for you.
Deck and Patio Coverage: Bottom Line
Homeowners insurance does cover decks and patios, but only under the right circumstances. Attached structures fall under dwelling coverage; detached ones fall under other structures coverage at a lower limit.
Covered causes of damage include fire, wind, hail, lightning and vandalism. Exclusions include flooding, wear and tear, pests and earth movement. To make sure you have adequate protection, compare quotes from top homeowners insurance companies to make sure you're getting the best value.
Understanding Deck and Patio Protection: FAQ
Yes, decks are covered under a standard homeowners policy. An attached deck falls under dwelling coverage (Coverage A). A detached deck falls under other structures coverage (Coverage B), which most policies cap at 10% of your dwelling limit. Coverage only kicks in when a named peril like fire, hail or a windstorm, causes the damage. Rot, age and normal wear aren't covered.
No. Rot is gradual deterioration, so it's excluded from standard homeowners policies. Coverage applies to sudden, accidental damage, not decay that builds up over time. Seal, stain and maintain your deck regularly to keep rot from taking hold.
Yes, in most cases. If a tree falls on your deck due to a windstorm or another covered peril, the structural damage is covered under dwelling or other structures coverage. Most policies also cover reasonable debris removal costs. If the tree fell due to neglect, such as a dead tree you knew was hazardous, your claim could be denied.
Patio furniture is covered under your policy's personal property coverage (Coverage C), not as part of the structure itself. Coverage generally applies if the furniture is damaged by a covered peril such as fire, theft or vandalism. Personal property coverage for items kept outside may be subject to additional limitations. Check your policy's off-premises personal property sublimits.
Most standard homeowners policies provide other structures coverage equal to 10% of your dwelling limit. If your home is insured for $300,000, you'd have $30,000 in Coverage B for all detached structures combined, including fences, sheds, detached garages, and patios. If that limit isn't enough to cover your outdoor investments, ask your insurer about increasing your Coverage B limit.
Homeowners insurance can cover full deck replacement, but only when a covered peril destroys it. If a storm or fire leaves the deck unrepairable, your insurer pays to replace it up to your coverage limit. One thing worth checking before that happens: whether your policy pays actual cash value or replacement cost value. Actual cash value factors in depreciation, so an older deck gets a smaller payout than what a new one costs. Replacement cost value covers the full rebuild price regardless of how old the deck was.
For insurance purposes, a deck is any platform structure attached to or separate from your home that's used as an outdoor living space. That includes wood or composite decks, covered patios, screened-in porches and freestanding structures like gazebos.
Whether it's attached to your home or not determines which coverage applies. Attached structures fall under dwelling coverage (Coverage A), and freestanding or detached structures fall under other structures coverage (Coverage B). If you're not sure how your insurer classifies your structure, check your declarations page or call your agent before you need to file a claim.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident expert in insurance and economics. He has spent nearly a decade covering the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he analyzes hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR. He draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnerships affect his recommendations.
Mark studied at Boston College before earning a master's in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University. Before MoneyGeek, he worked in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.