When Being Underinsured Becomes a Problem
If you think your shed is fully insured, it’s worth taking a closer look—especially if it’s more than just a place to store lawn equipment. And if you only find out you’re underinsured after a loss, it’s already too late.
Unfortunately, we saw this firsthand during the recent wildfires. People were shocked to learn that their sheds and outbuildings weren’t insured the way they assumed. In many cases, coverage for these buildings was set as a percentage of the main home or property limit.
That works fine—if the shed is basic. But many aren’t.
Not All Sheds Are Created Equal
We regularly see sheds and outbuildings that include:
- Finished interiors
- Electrical and heating
- Wood stoves
- TVs, bars, and entertainment areas
- Higher-end materials and upgrades
At that point, it’s not really a “shed” anymore. It’s an extension of how you live and use your property. The problem is that percentage-based limits often only cover a bare-bones replacement. If that building goes up in smoke, the insurance payout may fall far short of what it actually costs to rebuild it properly. That’s when people realize—too late—that they were underinsured.
How We Handle It Differently
At Munn Insurance, we don’t assume all outbuildings are the same. We ask how they’re built and how they’re used. If a shed is more of a high-end entertainment space than a storage unit, it should be insured that way. Plain and simple. Our goal is straightforward: If the shed is lost, you should be able to replace what you had, not argue over what qualifies as a shed.
Don’t Guess—Know
If you have sheds or outbuildings on your property and you’re not sure:
- How they’re insured
- What limit applies
- Or whether it would actually be enough to rebuild
Let’s review it together and get you covered.
Finding out after a loss is the worst possible time.
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