A backyard shed can be a great addition to your property—not only are sheds aesthetically attractive, but they’re a practical place to store tools, lawn mowers and other yard essentials.

However, when pricey items are stored in a shed, it raises an important question: What if something happens to the structure or its contents? Will they be covered by your home insurance if, for example, a tree falls on your shed? Here’s what you need to know about how sheds fit into your home insurance policy.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

When you build an auxiliary structure in your yard, whether it’s a shed, gazebo, other building or even a fence, you should revisit your home insurance policy. According to Allstate, most yard additions are, in fact, cover by “other structures” protection, but the specifics of your coverage will vary depending on your policy and carrier.

More About Other Structures Protection

Allstate explains that other structures coverage is typically based on a percentage of how much your home is insured for—standard coverage is generally 10 percent.

So, for example, if your home is insured for $200,000, your auxiliary structures (including your shed) will be covered up to $20,000. Percentages may vary, though, so look into your own home insurance policy to find out the specifics of your coverage.

Protecting Expensive Contents

It’s worth noting that if you plan to store extremely expensive items in your shed—a high-end lawn mower, for example—it might be worthwhile to purchase additional coverage for that specific product.

The bottom line is that your home insurance more than likely covers your new shed, but you should talk to your carrier about the specifics of your policy to make sure it’s providing adequate protection. It’s better to be safe than sorry!