Car accidents can happen in many unexpected ways. One such scenario is when you accidentally hit your garage door, whether it’s because of poor visibility, a distracted moment, or a simple miscalculation while parking. In this case, you may wonder if your auto insurance policy will cover the damage. The answer depends on your specific insurance coverage and the details of the incident. Let’s explore whether auto insurance can cover garage door damage and the different scenarios you may encounter.

Insurance Coverage for Garage Door Damage

When you hit a garage door, the damage typically falls under property damage. The next step is to determine whether your insurance policy covers this type of accident, and if so, which type of coverage is applicable.

Types of Auto Insurance Coverage That May Apply

1. Collision Coverage
   If you have collision coverage under your auto insurance policy, you may be covered if you hit a garage door while backing out or parking. Collision coverage generally helps pay for vehicle damage caused by crashes involving fixed objects, such as garage doors or utility poles. This coverage is designed to repair the damage to your car, but it may also cover garage door damage, depending on the specifics of your insurance policy and the claims process. However, if the garage door is on your property and you have homeowners insurance or home insurance, this policy might be the one that addresses the property damage.
2. Liability Coverage
   If you accidentally hit your neighbor’s garage door, liability coverage might kick in. Property damage liability in your auto insurance policy is typically designed to cover damage you cause to someone else’s property. So, if you hit a detached garage that belongs to a neighbor, your insurance provider may cover the cost of repairs. The claims process would involve you reporting the damage to your insurance company, providing a police report, and obtaining repair estimates from a garage door expert.
3. Comprehensive Coverage
   While comprehensive coverage generally covers incidents like vandalism, natural disasters, and fire damage, it’s unlikely to cover garage door damage from a car hitting it. However, this coverage can be beneficial if your garage door sustains damage due to lightning strikes or other unexpected incidents that don’t involve a fixed-object crash. If you’re involved in an accident where your garage door gets damaged by car crashes, you may need to check your homeowners insurance for coverage.

Homeowners Insurance for Garage Door Damage

In many cases, homeowners insurance may cover the damage to your garage door if it is part of your home’s structure and is attached to your house. Coverage would generally fall under Other Structures coverage or dwelling coverage, depending on your policy. If your garage door damage was caused by an accident that affects the structural integrity of the garage or house, your homeowner’s policy may pay for the repair, minus your deductible.

Personal property coverage in your home insurance policy might also cover any personal property inside the garage, such as golf clubs, tools, or other items, if they were damaged during the collision.

However, for standalone detached garages, this kind of damage might not be covered under your homeowners insurance. Instead, it might fall under a supplemental policy or umbrella insurance. If you have a garage door repair expert evaluate the damage, they can help you assess the extent of the damage to both the car and the structure.

The Claims Process for Hitting a Garage Door

If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve hit your garage door, here’s what you need to know about the claims process:

1. File an Insurance Claim: First, contact your insurance company to report the damage. You’ll need to provide the necessary details, such as the incident’s circumstances, your auto policy number, and a description of the damage to both your vehicle and the garage door.
2. Obtain a Police Report: If the damage is significant, or there’s a potential for dispute, having a police report can be helpful in supporting your insurance claim.
3. Get Repair Estimates: After filing the claim, your insurance provider may ask for repair estimates from professionals such as a garage door expert. This helps determine the cost of fixing the garage door and any vehicle damage caused by the incident.
4. Determine Coverage: Your insurance company will review the specifics of your auto insurance policy and home insurance policy to determine which one will cover the damage. If the damage is primarily to the vehicle, collision coverage in your auto policy may apply. However, if the garage door is part of your home, homeowners insurance may take over.
5. Repair and Deductibles: Once your claim is approved, the insurance provider will pay for the repairs minus any deductible specified in your policy. For instance, if you have a single-deductible claim, this could simplify the process by covering both the car and the garage door under one deductible.

Special Cases: When Homeowners Insurance Comes into Play

In some cases, homeowners insurance may be the better route, especially if the damage is to an attached garage or garage door springs. If you hit your garage door and the door is part of your primary residence, your homeowner’s policy may cover the damage under the dwelling coverage section, which typically covers structural components like doors and windows.

However, if your garage is a detached garage and not included in your main homeowners policy, or if the damage involves expensive custom parts or aftermarket spoilers, you might need additional supplemental insurance or a landlord insurance policy if you rent out the property.

Will Your Insurance Cover Damage to Your Neighbor’s Garage?

If you hit a neighbor’s garage door, the situation may change. Your property damage liability will likely cover the costs if you’re at fault. Your insurance provider will pay for the damage to your neighbor’s property, up to your property coverage limits. However, in some cases, your neighbor’s policy might also come into play, and they may file a subrogation claim against your insurance company to recover the cost.

Conclusion: Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Garage Door?

Whether your car insurance policy covers hitting your garage door depends on the type of insurance you have and the specific circumstances of the accident. If you have collision coverage, your auto insurance is likely to cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle and potentially to the garage door, depending on the situation. For property damage to the garage, homeowners insurance may provide coverage if the door is part of your home’s structure.

To ensure that you have the proper coverage for both vehicle damage and garage door damage, review your insurance policies and speak with your insurance provider about the best way to handle a fixed-object crash like this. Whether it’s a garage door repair, an accident involving unauthorized drivers, or subrogation claims, it’s important to understand how your auto insurance policy and homeowner’s policy will work together.

FAQs About Car Insurance and Hitting a Garage Door