A Garage Door plays a crucial role in protecting your car and other tools safe from thieves and burglars. Unlike older garage doors that were quite simple and easy to repair and maintain, most modern garage doors are equipped with complex features that are difficult for someone who is not an expert to fix. Additionally, fixing a damaged modern garage door is very expensive. That is why most homeowners are usually keen to know if a broken garage door is covered by home insurance. So are garage doors covered by home insurance? In this article, we will answer this question to help you make an informed decision.
Are garage doors covered by home insurance?
Garage door damage is covered by home insurance, including even the most basic home insurance policy. However, the terms under the policy usually differ depending on the insurance company that you choose. That is why it is very important to read the policy carefully before signing the document.
For instance, some insurance policies state that garage door damage is only covered if it was locked at the time of damage. This means that it will not get covered if it got garaged while it is open. Other policies state that the type of cover that you will get for your garage door will depend on the security that your garage door has.
To avoid any unpleasant surprises in the future, ensure that you read your homeowner insurance policy carefully and always ask for clarification from the insurance company if something is not clear.
In these cases, garage door damages are covered by home insurance:
Vehicle damage
Vehicle damages from your family are usually covered by home insurance. This means that if your partner accidentally reverses the car and hits the garage door, then the insurance company will cover the cost of the damage. However, if a stranger hits your garage door either willingly or by accident, your home insurance will not cover the damage. Instead, the insurance company of the person who damaged your garage door will cover the cost of the damage. On the other hand, if your garage door is damaged by a hit-and-run driver, then your home insurance cover will pay for the damages.
Theft
If a thief breaks into your garage, then your home insurance will cover the garage door damages. It may also cover the stolen goods, depending on the insurance cover that you have taken.
Natural disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rains are usually covered by most home insurance. However, most do not mean all, meaning you must check your policy carefully to know if natural disasters are covered in your policy and if yes, which ones.
Vandalism
When someone intentionally damages your garage door, then your home insurance will cover the cost of the damage. However, the insurance company will first investigate to know how everything happened and whether it is a genuine claim before covering the cost of damage.
Fire
Garage door damage caused by fire is usually covered by home insurance.
However, a wildfire may not be covered under the standard policy.
In these cases, garage door damage is not covered by home insurance
Normal wear and tear
Normal wear and tear of your garage door are not covered by home insurance. So, if your garage door stops functioning because of old age, your insurance company will not fix it.
Your garage door is not attached to your home
Most home insurance covers don’t cover garage door damage if the garage is not attached to your home. The insurance company views the garage as a separate structure, meaning it falls under a separate policy.
If the garage door is left unlocked
Most home insurance policies don’t cover a garage door if they establish that it was left open by the owner. They consider this as owner negligence and thus not covered.
How to make a claim for your garage door?
To make claim for your garage door, first, read your home insurance policy to see if the type of garage door damage in question is covered by the policy. You can also call your home insurance company for clarification.
If the damage is covered, the next step is to establish what caused the garage door damage. Was it caused by a natural disaster, a member of your family, or a stranger? Most insurance companies will only pay if the damage was caused by a natural disaster or someone from your family.
If you are certain that your claim is valid, follow the steps laid out by your home insurance company. You may be required to send evidence to support your claim depending on the procedure laid out by your insurance company and the cause of the damage.
Conclusion
Garage Door damage is covered by home insurance, including the standard policy. However, the type of garage door damage covered varies depending on the type of policy taken and the insurance company that you choose. So before you take home insurance for your home, read the policy carefully to know the garage door damages covered to avoid future disappointments.
FAQ
Does home insurance cover your garage?
YES, the home insurance policy covers your garage but only if it is part of the house. If they are separate, then you need to take another cover for your garage.
What is the 80/20 rule for home insurance?
The 80/20 rule for home insurance means that the insurance company will only cover the cost of damage fully if the owner of the home has purchased a home insurance cover that is equal to 80% of the total house replacement cost.
What happens if the garage door hits the car?
If your garage door hit the car, your home insurance will cover the cost of damage repair but it may actually be smaller than the deductible. Car damage, on the other hand, will be covered by your car insurance company.
How much does it cost to fix a garage door?
The cost of fixing a garage door varies depending on several factors, including the type of your garage door, the type and size of the damage, your location, the garage repair company that you choose, and more. But the average cost of garage door repair ranges between $150 and $400.
