A broken garage door can be a hassle, but is it covered by homeowners insurance? Whether it’s accidental damage or wear and tear, understanding your coverage is key.
In this guide, we’ll break down when homeowners insurance will cover garage door repairs and how to navigate the claims process.
Keep reading to learn more!
Is Garage Door Repair Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
Garage door repair may be covered by homeowners insurance if the damage is due to a covered peril like a storm. However, repairs due to wear and tear are typically not covered.
Key Takeaways
- Homeowners’ insurance may cover garage door repairs if the damage is caused by a covered peril, such as a storm, vandalism, or a fire.
- Repairs due to wear and tear or maintenance are not covered by homeowners insurance.
- If your garage door damage is accidental (e.g., from a vehicle), your auto insurance may cover the costs.
Understanding Homeowners Insurance Coverage
Homeowners insurance generally provides coverage for damage to your home and its contents, but there are specific exclusions and limitations that apply to certain types of damage.
Typically, homeowners insurance policies include the following types of coverage:
1. Dwelling Coverage: Covers the structure of your home, including walls, roof, and built-in components like plumbing and electrical systems.
2. Personal Property Coverage: Covers belongings inside the home, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing.
3. Liability Coverage: Protects against legal claims if someone gets injured on your property.
4. Other Structures Coverage: Covers structures on your property that are not attached to the main home, such as sheds, fences, and garages.
What Does Homeowners Insurance Typically Cover?
Homeowners insurance covers certain types of damage or accidents to your home, including:
- Fire damage
- Vandalism
- Wind and hail damage
- Theft
- Lightning strikes
However, when it comes to garage door repairs, the situation is a little more complex.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Garage Door Repairs?
The answer to whether your garage door repair is covered by homeowners insurance largely depends on the cause of the damage.
Here’s a breakdown of common scenarios and whether they are typically covered:
1. Damage Caused by Accidental Events
If the garage door sustains damage due to a covered peril, your homeowner’s insurance is more likely to cover the repair costs. Covered perils include events such as:
Fire: If a fire damages your garage door, homeowners insurance should cover the cost of repair or replacement, provided that fire damage is covered under your policy.
Wind or Hail: If your garage door is damaged during a storm, especially one involving strong winds or hail, your insurance may cover the cost of the repairs.
Vandalism or Theft: If your garage door is vandalized or damaged during a break-in, your homeowner’s insurance policy could cover the repair costs under property damage coverage.
Fallen Trees: If a tree falls on your garage door during a storm, causing significant damage, your insurance policy may cover the cost of repair under your dwelling coverage.
2. Wear and Tear or Maintenance Issues
Unfortunately, homeowners insurance doesn’t typically cover repairs due to normal wear and tear, rust, or maintenance issues. For example:
Dents and scratches caused by accidental bumps from cars or other equipment are generally not covered by homeowners insurance.
Broken springs, misaligned tracks, or damaged rollers resulting from long-term use will typically be considered part of regular maintenance, and the cost to repair them will likely fall on the homeowner.
If your garage door needs repairs due to age, neglect, or general wear, it’s unlikely your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost.
3. Accidental Damage from Vehicles
Sometimes, your garage door may get damaged because of an accidental collision from a vehicle, either your own or someone else’s.
In this case, your insurance may cover the cost of repairs, but the situation can get a bit tricky:
If you have comprehensive or collision coverage as part of your car insurance policy, it may cover the damage to the garage door caused by your vehicle.
If someone else’s car damages your garage door, their liability insurance may cover the repair cost.
How to File a Claim for Garage Door Repair
If your garage door damage is covered by your homeowners insurance, it’s important to know how to file a claim properly. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate the process:
Step 1: Document the Damage
Before filing a claim, document the damage thoroughly. Take photos of the dented or broken garage door, as well as any other damage to your garage or the property surrounding it.
This will help provide proof for your insurance claim.
Step 2: Review Your Policy
Before contacting your insurance company, review your homeowners insurance policy to confirm what types of damages are covered.
Understanding the specifics of your policy, including any exclusions or limitations, can help you assess if your garage door repair qualifies for coverage.
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Provider
Once you’ve reviewed your policy, contact your insurance provider to file a claim. They will guide you through the process, explain what documents you need to submit, and tell you what steps to follow.
You’ll likely need to provide: Photos of the damage A description of the cause of damage (i.e., windstorm, fallen tree, vandalism, etc.)
A repair estimate from a licensed contractor or garage door specialist
Step 4: Schedule an Inspection
The insurance company may send an adjuster to inspect the damage before approving the claim.
The adjuster will assess the damage and determine if it qualifies for coverage. They’ll also evaluate the repair costs and may suggest a list of recommended contractors.
Step 5: Review the Offer and Repair the Damage
Once the insurance company approves your claim, they will provide you with a repair estimate.
You can then proceed with the repairs, either with the contractor recommended by the insurer or a contractor of your choice.
If you disagree with the estimate, you can often negotiate with your insurance company to get a fairer settlement.
When Should You Consider Paying for Repairs Out of Pocket?
There are certain situations where handling garage door repairs yourself or covering the costs out of pocket might be a better choice than filing an insurance claim.
Here are a few scenarios where this might make sense:
1. Small Repairs
If the damage to your garage door is relatively minor, such as a small dent, a broken roller, or a loose hinge, it may not justify filing a claim.
The cost of repairing these small issues could be significantly lower than your insurance deductible.
Insurance deductibles often range from $200 to $1,000 or more, and for small repairs, this could mean you end up paying more in deductibles than the actual cost of the repair.
In such cases, paying for the repair out of pocket is a cost-effective choice.
2. Excessive Claims
If you’ve had multiple insurance claims in recent years, filing for smaller repairs could lead to higher premiums.
Insurance companies track your claims history, and frequent claims can make you appear as a higher risk, which may cause your premiums to increase.
If the repair is minor and the cost is reasonable, it might be better to handle it yourself to avoid adding another claim to your record and potentially raising your rates.
By paying for repairs yourself, you can maintain a clean claims history and keep your premiums stable.
3. Maintenance Issues
If the problem with your garage door is due to normal wear and tear, it is typically not covered by insurance.
Insurance policies usually exclude repairs related to routine maintenance or aging equipment.
Common maintenance issues, such as worn-out springs, misaligned tracks, or gradual rusting, fall under this category.
These are not unexpected damages but rather regular maintenance needs that arise over time.
In this case, it’s best to cover the repair costs out of pocket, as trying to claim these on your insurance would not be successful and could result in unnecessary claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will my homeowners insurance cover damage caused by a vehicle hitting my garage door?
If your car accidentally damages your garage door, your car insurance may cover the cost of repairs. If someone else’s car causes the damage, their liability insurance may help cover it.
2. Does homeowners insurance cover damage from a storm or fallen tree?
Yes, if your garage door is damaged due to wind, hail, or a falling tree, your homeowners insurance can cover the repair costs under your dwelling coverage.
3. Is wear and tear covered by homeowners insurance for garage doors?
No, wear and tear, rust, or maintenance issues are not covered by homeowners insurance. These types of repairs are considered regular upkeep, and the homeowner is responsible for them.
Conclusion
When your garage door is damaged, it’s important to understand whether your homeowners insurance will cover the cost of repairs. If the damage is caused by a covered event, like a storm or vandalism, your insurance may help with the repair costs.
However, wear and tear or maintenance-related issues are generally not covered. Before making any decisions, check your policy, document the damage, and consult your insurance provider.
If the damage is not covered, don’t hesitate to reach out to professional repair services to get your garage door back in working order.
