All of life, we are reminded to have insurance in case of emergency. There are many policies and coverage options available to ensure that we feel safe in every aspect of our lives, including cars, homes and health.
What happens if your garage door is damaged? You want the best coverage possible for repair costs, regardless of whether it is from your car or a neighbour’s. Garage door insurance is not available. Most homeowners ask the question, “Does homeowner’s insurance cover garage doors?”
The simple answer is yes and no. There are many factors that affect the classification of the damage and what your homeowner’s policy covers. Let’s now look at some insurance scenarios for garage doors.
1. You ran into your closed garage door
You can’t believe it’s happening. It’s possible you could have sworn that you pulled the remote to open your Garage Door. You glance back for a second and your front bumper is pressed into your garage door panel. The dent in your garage door panel is clearly visible, even though you know that there has been minor damage to your vehicle. What should you do?
Your auto insurance won’t cover door damage as you are responsible. You will find coverage if your homeowners’ policy covers the damage. Your garage is an integral part of your home. As such, you are covered as long as the damage was caused by you or a family member.
2. You get a neighbour’s car in your garage
Check the details of your auto insurance policy to see if a neighbour or friend has had a collision with your garage door. You are responsible for any property damage they cause. This means that your repairs will be covered by them, provided the cost of repair is within their policy.
3. Graffiti painted on your Garage Door
Vandalism, theft and burglary are all considered “malicious mischief”, and can often be covered by your homeowners’ insurance. Take photos of the crime and contact your agent. Some people will request a police report be filed. Make sure you reach out to the right officials.
4. Garage Door Damaged by Severe Weather
This is where homeowners insurance coverage can get tricky. Make sure to read the fine print and understand all terms in your policy. Some, but not all weather elements are covered by a claim. Although hail and wind are usually cleared, flooding repair is an out-of-pocket expense.
Be smart and weigh the costs
You should review all your insurance options and policies in the event that your garage door is damaged. It may be worth fixing the garage door yourself if your accident is not too serious. Insurance companies often require that you pay your deductible and any excess amounts — which can quickly add up to thousands of rands.
Request an estimate when it is time to replace broken springs or damaged tracks or panels on your garage door. Our experts in Pretoria will quickly restore the beauty and functionality of your garage door.
