If you’re wondering if homeowners insurance covers garage door repair then the simple answer to that is yes. Homeowners insurance covers your standard garage door repairs, however, certain factors come into play.
Garage doors are generally expensive to repair or replace as a result of damage. This is the reason why the question about the coverage of these repairs is necessary. What’s even more concerning is whether a garage door is usually considered part of a home. All of these questions will be answered within this article.
But before we begin to clarify if your homeowner’s insurance covers the repair of your garage door, it’s important to understand what homeowner insurance is.
What Is Homeowners Insurance?
Homeowner or home insurance is a specific kind of insurance that covers any losses or damages that can happen in your residence. This type of insurance not only covers the home but also assets such as furniture. It also provides liability coverage against accidents that happen on your property. The insurance is valid for covering interior and exterior damages, loss or damaged personal assets, and any form of injury that occurs on your residence.
Every insurance policy comes with a specific amount of coverage for a specific unfortunate event. When you make a claim due to the damage or loss of your property, you will be asked to pay a deductible before you’re issued a check. For instance, if the cost to repair a damaged part of your home amounts to $8,000, you will get an amount for your deductible. This could be $2,000 and the excess cost will be provided by the insurance company. This amount is solely based on the agreement between you and your insurer. Hence, the reason why you need to read every document through before you sign it.
Although homeowners insurance covers the damage and loss of assets, as well as, injuries on your property, its policies exclude acts of war or acts of God. Acts of War or Acts of God primarily refer to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, etc. You will need to get special coverage for these special situations.
How To Know If Homeowners Cover Your Garage Doors
Now that you’re aware of how homeowner insurance works, you need to know if your insurance covers your garage door. And the only way to know that is to talk over the details of your policy with your insurance company. Many people often confused by the official or legal language used in these policies.
As a result, they might not fully understand because they don’t bother to read it. It’s also important to note that your insurance premium usually goes up once you report a damage claim. Sometimes it’s more profitable to fix the issue and leave your insurance out of it.
Factors That Affect Your Homeowner Insurance Coverage For Garage Doors
As mentioned earlier, homeowners insurance covers garage doors but not always. Here’s what we mean by that;
Different factors can determine if your insurance policy covers your garage door and one of them is the type of garage door.
Type Of Garage Doors
There are essentially two types of garage doors; Attached and Detached garage doors.
- Attached Garage Doors: Attached garage doors connected to your home just like a balcony or chimney. Since homeowners insurance covers the damage to your home or assets in your home, it covers an attached garage door.
- Detached Garage Doors: Detached garage doors, on the other hand, are not considered a part of your home because it isn’t connected. Hence, homeowner insurance will not cover a detached garage door. Unless your policy states otherwise.
If your insurance policy states that it will cover other structures on your residence, then it will cover your detached garage door. Some homeowners insurance includes other structures such as a tool shed, fence, driveway, guesthouse, greenhouse, etc. However, these other structures do not get the same coverage limit as those attached to your house. They get just 10% of your coverage limit.
Garage Door Damages Covered By Homeowners
The next factor that determines if your garage door’s covered by homeowner’s type of damage sustained. The following are some damages that usually covered by homeowners;
- Vandalism
- Natural disasters such as a storm or tornado
- Fire
- Theft
- Car damages
A lot of people often damage their garage doors with their cars. If you fall into this category, then don’t fret because your homeowner’s insurance will cover it too. For instance, if you happen to run into your garage door and the damage is visible, then your insurance will cover it. However, it won’t be able to cover the damages to your car.
Garage Door Damages That Homeowners Doesn’t Cover
Just as homeowners insurance covers some damage to your garage doors, there are some damages that this policy doesn’t cover. There’s only one and that’s a deterioration or wear and tear.
Garage doors not meant to last forever, but they can last a long time with proper maintenance skills. If your garage door has been damaged as a result of getting old or a lack of maintenance, then your insurer will not cover its expenses for repair. However, if your garage door’s warranty is still valid, then the manufacturing company will be able to help.
Now that you’re certain your homeowner’s insurance will cover your garage door, the type of fixing depends on the damage. If your garage door cannot fixed, it will be replaced. However, it depends on your insurance company. To know more about options for your damaged garage door, be sure to speak to your insurance company about your policy.
Conclusion
Homeowners insurance designed to cover the damage, loss, and theft of your assets within your residence. These assets include an attached garage door. Homeowners insurance only covers detached garage doors when it states “other structures” within your policy. Your garage door’s only covered when the damages as a result of vandalism, fire, natural disasters, theft, and car damages.
The coverage does not include the natural wear and tear of your garage door.