What is 'other structures' coverage on a homeowners policy?

Other structures coverage (Coverage B) on a standard homeowners policy covers detached structures on your property — including driveways, fences, detached garages, and sheds — against the same perils covered under your main dwelling coverage. It's typically 10% of your dwelling coverage limit by default, though it can often be increased. This is the coverage that may apply to driveway damage from a sudden event.

Does insurance cover driveway damage from a utility repair?

If a utility company damages your driveway during repair work — breaking through it for a water line repair, for example — the utility's liability coverage is typically responsible for the repair, not your homeowners policy. Get the utility company's incident report and insurance information before they leave the site.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Concrete Driveway Damage?

Q: If a tree falls on my driveway, does insurance pay?

If a tree falls and damages your driveway due to a wind event or storm — which is a covered peril on most standard homeowners policies in Tennessee — your other structures coverage may pay for the damage. Your deductible applies. You'll typically need documentation of the event and the damage, and the insurer may send an adjuster to assess. Have the damage photographed thoroughly before any cleanup begins.

Q: What should I do before filing an insurance claim for driveway damage?

Photograph everything thoroughly. Document the cause of the damage if you know it (storm, tree fall, vehicle impact). Call your insurance agent — not just the 800 number — and ask specifically whether the cause of damage is a covered peril under your other structures coverage. Then get a repair estimate from a licensed contractor before the adjuster visits, so you have an independent scope of work.

January 2026 · 5 min read · By Julian Mast, Advanced Construction Solutions

If you have a cracked, heaved, or damaged concrete driveway in Lawrence County or Giles County, the first question many homeowners ask is whether their homeowners insurance will cover it. The honest answer is: sometimes — but probably not for the most common types of driveway damage. Here's a plain-language breakdown of what's typically covered, what isn't, and what questions to ask your insurance agent.

Important note: This article provides general information about how homeowners insurance typically applies to driveways. Your specific policy language governs what's covered. Always verify coverage details directly with your insurance agent before filing a claim or beginning any repair work.

Damaged concrete driveway showing cracking in Middle Tennessee

Cracking from age and normal settlement is almost never covered by homeowners insurance — but sudden damage from specific events may be.

Quick answer

Standard age-related cracking, settling, and surface weathering on a concrete driveway are not covered by homeowners insurance — they're classified as wear and tear or deferred maintenance. Sudden damage from a specific covered event — a tree falling during a storm, a vehicle collision, fire — may be covered under your policy's "other structures" coverage. When in doubt, call your agent before you file.

What homeowners insurance doesn't cover for driveways

The most common types of driveway damage homeowners experience are not covered by standard homeowners policies:

Cracking from soil movement or settlement. Concrete that cracks as the ground beneath it shifts, settles, or heaves from Tennessee's freeze-thaw cycles is considered normal wear and settling — not an insured event.
Surface scaling from weather. Concrete that develops surface scaling or spalling from years of exposure, salt damage, or freeze-thaw cycles is treated as maintenance.
Tree root lifting. A driveway pushed up or cracked by a nearby tree's root system is typically not covered — it's a gradual process, not a sudden event.
Age-related deterioration. A driveway that simply wore out over 25 years is not an insurable loss.

These exclusions exist in virtually every standard homeowners policy because they're predictable, maintenance-related outcomes — not sudden, accidental damage.

What may be covered

Driveways are typically covered under the "other structures" section of a homeowners policy (Coverage B). This section covers the same perils as your main dwelling coverage — which on most Tennessee homeowners policies includes wind, hail, fire, vehicle impact, lightning, and theft. If your driveway is damaged by one of these covered perils, a claim may be appropriate.

Tree falls during a storm

If a tree falls on your driveway during a wind event and damages the concrete, this may qualify as covered damage under wind or falling object perils. Your deductible applies, and the insurer will assess whether the payout after deductible exceeds the repair cost. For a tree that cracks one section of a driveway, the repair cost may not exceed your deductible. For a tree that destroys a full driveway, it's worth filing.

Vehicle collision

If a vehicle (including your own, in some cases) damages your driveway in a collision or accident, that may be covered under your homeowners policy's vehicle impact peril, or under the at-fault driver's auto liability coverage if the vehicle was someone else's. This is a situation where you may want to call both insurers and see which applies.

Utility work damage

When a utility company breaks through your driveway for a water main repair or sewer work, the utility's liability insurance is responsible — not your homeowners policy. Get their insurance information and incident report before they leave your property. We've helped homeowners in Lawrence County navigate this situation — the utility's insurer should cover a full driveway section replacement if the work requires breaking through.

How "other structures" coverage works

On most standard homeowners policies, Coverage B (other structures) is set at 10% of your dwelling coverage limit by default. If your home is insured for $250,000, you have $25,000 in other structures coverage. Your driveway, fences, detached garage, and other outbuildings all share this limit. You can typically increase other structures coverage if you have significant structures on the property — worth reviewing with your agent if you've recently added a large driveway, deck, or outbuilding.

What to do before you file a claim

If you believe your driveway damage is from a covered event, take these steps before calling your insurer:

Photograph the damage thoroughly from multiple angles
Document the cause of damage if known (storm date, tree location, vehicle information)
Call your insurance agent directly (not the general 800 number) and describe the event — ask specifically whether the cause is a covered peril
Get a repair estimate from a licensed contractor before the adjuster visits, so you have an independent scope
Keep any debris or evidence in place until after the adjuster's inspection

Filing a claim that gets denied can still affect your policy renewal in some cases. That's why asking your agent about coverage before filing is usually the right first step.

Frequently asked questions

Does homeowners insurance cover a cracked concrete driveway?

Standard cracking from age, normal use, or soil settlement is not covered — it's wear and tear. Damage from a sudden covered event like a tree fall or vehicle collision may be covered under other structures coverage. Check your policy and call your agent.

What is "other structures" coverage?

Coverage B on a standard homeowners policy covers detached structures — including driveways, fences, sheds, and detached garages — against the same perils as your dwelling. It's typically 10% of your dwelling coverage limit by default.

If a tree falls on my driveway, does insurance pay?

If a tree falls from a covered peril (usually wind) and damages your driveway, your other structures coverage may apply after your deductible. Photograph everything and call your agent before starting cleanup.

Does insurance cover driveway damage from utility repair work?

If a utility company damages your driveway during repair work, their liability coverage should pay for restoration — not your homeowners policy. Get their insurance information before they leave the site.

What should I do before filing an insurance claim for driveway damage?

Photograph the damage. Document the cause. Call your insurance agent and ask whether the specific cause is a covered peril before filing. Get an independent repair estimate. Preserve evidence until after the adjuster's inspection.

About the author: Julian Mast is the owner of Advanced Construction Solutions in Minor Hill, TN. He has provided repair estimates and worked with insurance adjusters on driveway and concrete restoration projects throughout Lawrence and Giles County. This article reflects general knowledge of homeowners insurance as it applies to concrete structures — not legal or insurance advice.

Need a concrete driveway estimate for an insurance claim or a straight repair quote? Call us at (931) 369-2134 or request a quote online. We provide written, itemized estimates appropriate for insurance documentation. See our driveway service page and our Lawrenceburg driveway pricing guide for more about our work in the area.