Your kids may think it's neat to have a tree house in the backyard, but getting it insured may be another story. Insurance companies have different guidelines, so it can be a challenge making sure you have enough insurance if something unexpected happens. You may have to do a bit of homework, but but you'll be able to sleep at night once you know that all your property is adequately insured.

Coverage B

Some insurance companies will insure a tree house as a detached structure on the same property as your home. Coverage B in your homeowner's policy pertains to structures that aren't on the same foundation as the main dwelling.

You may be in luck if your insurance company covers tree houses under this category. As long as your standard homeowner's policy offers coverage on other structures on the property up to a certain limit, you may not have extra payments.

Cost Factors

While some companies may charge you a higher premium to insure a tree house, how high a premium you need to pay usually depends on how much of a liability your insurer considers it.

Sometimes it's easier to insure a tree house if you live in a municipality that requires you to build a tree house according to local building codes. Complying with building code standards usually lowers risk, and lower risk generally translates into paying lower insurance premiums.

Policy Exclusions

Many insurance companies see a tree house as a potential liability, so they don't want to take a chance insuring it. Insurers that worry big on liability issues often include a tree house exclusion in their homeowner's policies. An exclusion isn't good news because it won't cover the structure no matter how well you build it.

Sometimes companies go so far as to deny you coverage altogether if there's a tree house on your property. While others, instead of flat out denying you, may ask you to remove a tree house before the company will approve you for a policy.

Liability Issues

If you have a tree house you want to keep, you may have to keep it at your own risk. Yet it might be some consolation to know that insurance companies don't discriminate against tree houses alone. Many insurers consider kids' backyard play equipment to be an equivalent high risk.

Keep in mind that if you allow children other than your own to play in the tree house, you will be liable for any personal injuries that may result from a fall or other related accident. If you're worried about being sued if someone gets hurt, there are options available to close the gap.

Purchasing umbrella insurance increases your liability coverage and extends to exclusions in your homeowner's policy. You will be giving yourself extra liability coverage that goes beyond the policy's limits.

Accessibility

Fencing in your tree house so that it isn't so easily accessible to neighborhood children may help you get coverage. Building a tree house closer to the ground may also increase your chances of getting it insured.

Kids love to climb ladders that go up a tree house, but building stairs with sturdy handrails may be another way to gain favor in your insurer's eyes.

When it comes to questions on homeowners insurance ask companies like Greg Thomas Insurance Agency Inc for more information.