Does your homeowner’s insurance cover garage doors? Discover what’s included, exclusions, and how to file a claim in 2025!
Many ask, “Does homeowners insurance cover garage doors?” The answer is yes, but it depends on the cause of the damage. If a storm, fire, theft, or a car crash caused it, most policies will help. Always check your insurance policy and keep records in case you need to make a claim.
Homeowner’s insurance covers garage doors if damage is sudden and accidental, like fire, theft, or impact. It won’t cover problems from old age, wear, or poor maintenance. Read your policy carefully and ask your insurance provider what’s included. Knowing this can help you avoid surprise costs later on.
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Garage Doors
Homeowner’s insurance helps protect your home and the things inside from damage. Most plans cover the main parts of your house, including the garage. So, does homeowner’s insurance cover garage doors? Yes, it usually does if the garage is connected to your home.
Your garage door is usually covered by insurance if it is damaged by fire, bad weather, or vandalism. However, it won’t be covered if the damage happens due to old age, lack of care, or regular use. Always check your policy details.
When Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Garage Doors
Your garage door may be covered under the dwelling coverage portion of your homeowner’s insurance if the damage results from a covered peril. Here are some common scenarios where insurance may cover garage door damage:
1. Storm or Weather Damage
Strong storms like hurricanes, hail, or wind can damage your garage door. If it gets dented, cracked, or pulled off by bad weather, your home insurance usually pays for repairs or replacement after you pay your deductible.
2. Fire or Smoke Damage
If a fire burns or melts your garage door, your home insurance should help. Whether it’s from a house fire or wildfire, the policy often covers repair or replacement so you can fix the damage and protect your home again.
3. Vandalism or Theft
If someone damages your garage door on purpose, like in a break-in, your insurance will likely cover the repair. If items inside the garage are stolen, your personal property coverage might also help pay to replace them, depending on your plan.
4. Falling Items or Car Hits
If a branch falls or a car hits your garage door by mistake, your insurance might cover the cost to fix it. But if you or someone in your home caused it, the claim might be denied. Always check your policy rules to be sure.
5. Break-In or Forced Entry
If a break-in damages your garage door, insurance will likely help pay for the repairs.
You’ll need to report the break-in to the police and follow your insurer’s steps to file a claim and get the damage fixed.
When Does Homeowners Insurance NOT Cover Garage Doors
While homeowner’s insurance provides broad protection, there are situations where garage door damage is not covered:
1. Normal Wear and Tear
Home insurance doesn’t cover garage doors that get old or break from everyday use. If your door has rust, cracks, or stops working over time, it’s seen as normal wear. You’ll have to pay for repairs or a new door yourself.
2. Flood Damage
If your garage door gets damaged by flooding or rising water, your regular home insurance won’t help. Flood damage needs a separate flood insurance policy. Without it, you’ll have to pay to fix or replace the garage door out of your own pocket.
3. Earthquakes and Earth Movements
Most home insurance plans do not cover damage from earthquakes, landslides, or ground shifts. If you live where these happen, think about adding earthquake insurance. It helps pay for garage door repairs if the ground suddenly moves and causes damage.
4. Intentional Damage by the Policyholder
If you or someone in your home damages the garage door on purpose, insurance won’t cover it. Home insurance is made for accidents, not for damage that was done on purpose. In these cases, the repair or replacement cost comes from your own money.
5. Poor Installation or Manufacturing Defects
If your garage door breaks because it was installed badly or had a factory defect, home insurance won’t pay. You’ll need to contact the installer or the company that made it. They might fix it under their warranty or service agreement.
How to File a Claim for Garage Door Damage
If your garage door is damaged due to a covered peril, follow these steps to file a claim:
1. Document the Damage
Take clear pictures and videos of the damage to your garage door. Show different angles so everything is easy to see. This will make it easier to file your insurance claim. Good pictures make it easier for your insurance company to understand what happened and process your claim.
2. Check Your Policy
Read your insurance papers to find out if garage door damage is included. Check your deductible and any applicable limits. This will help you determine what your insurance will pay and what costs you may need to handle on your own.
3. Contact Your Insurance Provider
Contact your insurance company right away and show them the damage with photos. Give all the details. Write down the name of the person you spoke with, the time, and what they said about your next steps.
4. Get Repair Estimates
Ask a few licensed garage door repair companies for price quotes. It’s best to get two or three to compare. These will help your insurance company know how much the repair may cost. Choose a company with good reviews and experience fixing garage doors.
5. Work with the Adjuster
Your insurance company will send someone called an adjuster to look at the damage. Show them your garage door and the pictures you took. Also, share the repair quotes. The adjuster will decide how much money your insurance will give you to fix it.
6. Complete Repairs
Once your claim is approved, pick a trusted garage door repair expert to fix the damage. Save all receipts and papers from the repair. This way, you’ll have proof that the job was done right in case you need to show your insurance company later.
Tips to Prevent Garage Door Damage
While insurance provides financial protection, prevention is always better than filing a claim. Here’s how to keep your garage door in top shape:
1. Regular Maintenance
Check your garage door once a month. Add oil to the hinges and moving parts. Look at the springs to see if they’re worn out. Test the opener to make sure it works. Regular care helps your garage door last longer and work better.
2. Weatherproofing
Seal any cracks or gaps around your garage door to keep out wind, rain, and bugs. Add insulation to help control the temperature inside. This protects your door from damage and keeps your garage warmer in winter and cooler in summer, saving you money.
3. Security Measures
Add motion lights and a camera near your garage door. Lights scare away people trying to break in, and cameras help you see what’s happening. These simple tools make your home safer and protect anything stored inside your garage, day or night.
4. Professional Inspections
Call a garage door expert once a year to check everything. They can find problems you might not see, like weak springs or loose parts. A yearly check helps prevent big issues, saves you money, and keeps your door safe and working right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does home insurance cover the garage?
Home insurance usually covers the garage if it’s part of your house. If your garage is separate, it might still be covered under a different part of the plan. To be sure, check your home insurance policy to see what it includes for garages.
Are garage doors covered under warranty?
Yes, garage doors are often covered by a warranty. Most come with coverage for a few years on parts like the motor, panels, or springs. The garage door warranty only works if you follow care rules and the damage isn’t caused by misuse or accidents.
What home repairs does most insurance cover?
Most insurance covers home repairs caused by fire, storms, theft, or water from broken pipes. It usually does not cover damage from old age or poor care. Read your insurance papers to see what home repairs are covered and what are not.
Does home insurance cover a broken door?
Home insurance can cover a broken door if something like a storm, fire, or theft caused the damage. But if the door breaks because it’s old or not taken care of, it’s usually not covered. Always check your insurance to be sure.
What is the most common damage to your home that insurance does not cover?
The most common damage not covered by home insurance is from floods, earthquakes, or wear and tear. For example, mold from leaks or damage from an old roof may not be included. Read your insurance policy to see what is not covered.
Conclusion
Garage doors are an important part of your home’s safety and value. Many people ask, “Does homeowners insurance cover garage doors?” Most of the time, it does if the damage is from storms, fire, or an accident. Always check your policy to be sure.
Reading your insurance plan and talking to your provider helps you understand what is and isn’t covered. Damage from old parts or poor care usually isn’t included. Taking care of your garage door can help you avoid costs that insurance won’t cover.
If your garage door needs fixing, our team is ready to help. Meadows Garage Doors offers trusted garage door repair services to keep your door working well and your home safe. Call us today to schedule a repair or inspection.
End Note
If you need a trusted company for the best garage door opener, we at Meadows Garage Doors are here to help. We offer strong, reliable openers that work smoothly and last long. Whether you need a new opener or want to upgrade, we’re ready to help. Visit our website to find the best opener for your home.
We also provide full garage door services in many areas, including Trophy Club and Westlake. Check our gallery to see our work and visit our service areas to see if we serve your town. Learn more about us and get tips from our blog.
Stay in touch with us online. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. See what our happy customers say on Yelp and discover why so many people trust us for their garage door needs.
Meadows Garage Doors
1741 N US Hwy 377 Suite 125, Roanoke, TX 76262, United States
+18174151175
