Is your garage door covered by home insurance? This depends on your homeowners’ insurance policy and the damage your garage door has sustained, but the answer is yes in most cases. Let’s discuss when your garage door might or might not be covered by homeowners insurance.

Types of Home Insurance Coverage for Garage Doors

Basic Coverage
Basic coverage on your homeowners’ insurance policy protects you from some types of damage that your home may incur. The general term “basic coverage” usually encompasses various types of protection if something unfortunate happens to your home.

Your garage door is technically on the outside of your home, or it may even be classified as a separate structure if it’s a detached garage. Since basic coverage typically includes the dwelling itself and other structures, your garage door is often covered.

Dwelling Coverage
Under the umbrella of basic coverage is dwelling coverage. Dwelling coverage helps cover the cost of repairs to your home should something happen to its physical structure. It also includes coverage for attachments to your home, such as attached garages and decks. Damage from the following types of occurrences are generally covered:

• • Fire
  • Windstorm
  • Lightning
  • Hail
  • Vandalism
  • Theft

If you need garage door repair or replacement, it’s important to refer to your specific homeowners’ insurance policy or contact your agent to determine which types of damage are covered. Your policy will also tell you what your deductible is if you choose to use your insurance for garage door repair or replacement purposes.

Other Structures Coverage
Other structures’ coverage includes parts of your home that aren’t directly attached to the main structure. If you have a detached garage, this type of coverage may come in handy. The specifically covered perils are often the same as what’s covered for your home, so check your homeowners’ policy to see what this entails or contact your agent directly.

Other structures’ coverage is typically based on a percentage of your dwelling coverage. For example, if you have $500,000 in dwelling coverage, you may only have $50,000 in other structures coverage. In many cases, the option to raise this limit does exist. Contact your insurance agent if you own a detached garage to see what options are available.

Personal Property Coverage
While dwelling and other structures’ coverages protect your garage and garage door, personal property coverage covers the belongings inside your garage.

This coverage type could be useful if theft is involved in your insurance claim. You may be able to use your dwelling coverage or other structures’ coverage to repair or replace your garage door. Your personal property coverage could potentially be used to recoup the value of any belongings lost due to theft.

Personal property coverage usually covers attached and detached garages and falls under basic homeowners’ insurance.

Additional Coverage Options Typically Not Under Basic Homeowners Insurance
Most basic homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover certain acts of God, such as floods or earthquakes. If you live in an area prone to these natural disasters, contact your agent to help you add these upgrades to your policy. That additional protection for your garage door and other property can give you peace of mind.

Exclusions and Limitations for Home Insurance Coverage for Garage Doors

Sometimes, your homeowners’ insurance is unlikely to cover damage to your garage door, regardless of any policy upgrades you purchase.

Here are a few typical exclusions:

• • Wear and tear: If your garage door is bent out of shape simply because of its age, your insurance company will likely not reimburse you for any associated repair or replacement costs.
  • Poor upkeep or maintenance: This is one reason our experts recommend regular garage door maintenance. If something happens to your garage door due to irregular or improper care, your insurance company will likely not cover it.
  • Intentional damage: If you intentionally damage your garage door, your insurance company will not cover the cost.
  • Business usage: If you run a business from your garage, your insurance company may not cover the cost of any damages to your garage door, particularly if that damage occurs as a result of business activities.

Always be sure to check with your insurance company for specific information about your homeowners’ insurance policy.

FAQs about Home Insurance Coverage for Garage Doors

How do I file a claim for damages to my garage door?
To file a home insurance claim for your garage door, we recommend taking the following steps:

• • Verify the cause of the damage, then check to see whether the cause of the damage is a covered peril under your insurance policy.
  • Review your policy to be prepared for any deductible you’ll need to pay before the insurance starts to pay. You may also want to note any policy limitations so you know how much damage your insurance will cover.
  • Take photos of the damage from different angles to help establish credibility for your claim.
  • Secure the damaged area of your garage door so it doesn’t get damaged further.
  • Call your insurance company to report the incident. Your insurance company will pair you with a claims adjuster who will investigate the incident. After their investigation, your claims adjuster will determine an appropriate amount for your settlement.
  • Contact us for your garage door installation or repair.

Does my home insurance policy cover garage door damage caused by a vehicle?
Most likely, yes. Most home insurance policies cover any damage to your garage door caused by a vehicle. However, since every policy and circumstance is different, check the terms and conditions of your specific policy, or contact your agent directly.

Still have questions?
If you still have questions about whether your homeowners’ insurance covers garage damage, please contact your insurance agent directly for details. Once you’re ready for a door repair, contact Precision Garage Door Service at 616.217.4098, or schedule an appointment.

Disclaimer: The above is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Contact your insurance agent for professional advice, etc.