Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Garage Doors? Facts & FAQ
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If you had a run-in with your garage door, you may be wondering if it is covered by your homeowners insurance policy. The answer is yes, in most cases. There may be circumstances, however, that exclude the garage doors from coverage.
What Is Homeowners Insurance?
A standard homeowners insurance policy protects homeowners from loss associated with things like theft, fire, and vandalism. The policy’s personal property coverage will replace belongings and furnishings in the home. Coverage on the dwelling replaces or repairs damages to the structure. The liability coverage of your homeowner’s policy protects you from legal liability for things like someone getting injured on your property.
In addition to a standard homeowner’s policy, there are add-ons called riders that can be purchased for an additional premium. A rider can cover valuables like jewelry, art, or antique cars since a standard policy will exclude or limit the coverage on such items.
If your garage is detached from the home, it may be listed as “other structures” on your homeowner’s policy and the coverage may be limited.
When Is the Garage Door Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
There may be times when homeowners insurance may deny a claim for replacing or repairing a garage door. It will depend on the company and the coverage. Let’s look at some circumstances in the doors would be covered and times they may not.
- Natural Disasters: We all can relate to damage from severe weather. If your doors get damaged from hail, wind, or flying debris, the insurance company will likely repair or place the door. We recommend checking with your insurance company, however, since policies and coverages vary among companies. For instance, some companies may not cover damage to the door from a natural disaster like flooding or an earthquake. Therefore, you will be solely responsible for the cost of the repairs.
- Vandalism or Break-Ins: If your garage door was vandalized or damaged by an intruder, the cost of repairs will likely be covered by your policy. However, it will depend on the policy and the company.
- Damage by Vehicle: If your garage door is damaged by a vehicle, it should be covered. Homeowners insurance will usually cover the repairs for damage caused by your or someone else’s vehicle. Any damage to the vehicle, however, will not be covered by the homeowner’s insurance. You will need to file a claim with your auto insurance company. The damage to the car should be covered by your auto’s liability insurance.
- Additional Attachments: Homeowners insurance is meant to cover your home and anything that is attached to it. That would include an attached garage and the contents for incidents such as theft, fire, and storm damage.
- Detached Garage: If your garage is not attached to the house, the coverage limits may be questionable. If the garage is not insured as a separate structure or on another policy, it may only be partially covered. Since the garage is not attached to the insured structure, it may be covered under “other structures” on your existing homeowner’s policy and there may be limitations on the coverage. You will need to check your policy limits or call your agent for the specifics of your coverage.
- Talk to an Agent: Since you cannot purchase an individual hurricane policy, you may want to discuss your coverage options with your agent. A standard homeowner’s policy may not cover your garage doors, or your house for that matter, for damage from a hurricane. The company may categorize it as damage from flooding and high winds, however. It will depend on the policy and the company.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are times when your homeowner’s insurance will repair or replace your garage doors. There are times when they are excluded, however. It is always a good idea to discuss any questions or concerns with your agent. You may be glad you did. You do not want to find out something isn’t covered when the damage is already done.
Featured Image Credit: Vitalii Vodolazskyi, Shutterstock
