When you own your own home, Murphy’s Law is practically a law of physics. Stuff’s going to break — your garage door included. Your teenager (or maybe even you) might run into it with your car. Maybe a heavy hail storm riddled it with dents. Maybe you’ve got bad garage door springs and they need to be repaired. Could your garage door repair be covered by insurance? Maybe — if the broken door was the result of a car accident or natural disaster. Here’s everything you need to know about garage door repair and insurance — what’s covered, what’s not, and whether or not it’s actually financially worth it to use your policy for the repair. (Remember, your premiums might go up!)
Whether your homeowners insurance covers a garage door repair varies, even by policy. The rule of thumb is to always check with your insurance provider or agent. It never hurts to ask. In fact, many homeowners unfortunately pay for repairs out-of-pocket their insurance would be happy to pay for if they asked in the first place.
Car Accident
If your garage door is damaged by a vehicle accident, most homeowners’ insurance policies will cover it. If the damage was caused by somebody else, we’ve got great news: It will probably be covered by their car insurance.
Natural Disaster
If your garage door is damaged by hail or strong wind, you are probably covered by your homeowners insurance. However, some companies require a special policy for hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes, especially if you live in areas prone to these types of disasters. Again, contact your provider.
Vandals/Burglars
Most homeowners insurance policies have clauses that protect you against vandalism and break in, such as broken windows, graffiti, or other damage caused by somebody trying to get inside. If you’ve been the victim of a break in, you’re likely covered. And if the thief damaged the garage door breaking in, chances are the repair is also covered.
Wear & Tear
As we mentioned, most policies don’t cover damages caused by wear and tear. The good news is that many garage door repair companies do. You can get an annual maintenance package that can help control costs and prevent any big budget surprises down the road.
The beauty of a maintenance plan purchased by a repair company is it usually covers annual inspections and tune ups. By taking a proactive approach to repair issues with your garage door, you ensure it is in top working order. Your garage door will run beautifully, last longer, and need fewer repairs overtime.