Mistakes happen. One common mistake is damaging your car by hitting a garage door. You might ask, "Will my auto insurance pay for hitting a garage door?" It depends on your coverage and policy limits. Let's take a closer look.
Quick Answer:
Car insurance usually doesn’t cover garage door damage. For repairs, check your homeowner's insurance.
1. Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Garage Door?
Mistakes occur. A common case is damaging your car by hitting a garage door. You may wonder, "Does my auto insurance cover hitting a garage door?" The answer depends upon your coverage and limits. Let's break it down in an easy-to-understand manner.
What Happens When You Hit a Garage Door With Your Car?
First, let's consider the damage. Hitting a garage door can result in two types of damage:
- Your car
- The garage door
Car insurance might be able to help with fixing both of these issues.
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2. Does Car Insurance Cover Garage Door Damage?
Car coverage covers a selection of factors. However, the exact insurance depends on your coverage type. Does it cover damage to a garage door? Let's break down automobile coverage to find out its parts.
Liability Insurance:
Liability insurance is the most basic type of auto coverage. It generally covers damage to others' belongings, like their cars or homes, if you're at fault in an accident.
But what if you hit your personal storage door? Liability coverage will not cover the harm to your garage door. If you hit someone else's garage door, liability insurance might help.
Car insurance won’t fix your garage door, but it can take care of your vehicle's damage.
Collision Coverage:
Collision coverage pays for damage to your car in an accident, no matter who is at fault. For example, if you accidentally back into your garage door, this coverage can help pay for your car's repairs.
But, collision coverage does not cover the garage door itself. It only helps with damage to your vehicle.
Homeowners' Insurance:
You might wonder, "Does homeowners' insurance cover my garage door if someone hits it?" Yes, homeowners' insurance usually covers garage door damage, no matter who is at fault.
Homeowners insurance might help with:
- Fixing or replacing the garage door.
- Repairs to the garage structure if the door hits it.
Just remember, you must pay your deductible first. It's the amount you pay before insurance kicks in.
3. Who Pays for Garage Door Damage?
Let’s go over some common situations and who pays for what:
You Hit Your Own Garage Door:
- Your car: Covered by collision insurance.
- Your garage door: Covered by homeowners insurance.
You Hit Someone Else’s Garage Door:
- Their garage door: Covered by liability insurance.
- Your car: Covered by collision insurance (if you have it).
Someone Else Hit Your Garage Door:
- Your garage door: The driver's insurance should cover the damage.
- Their car: It has its own collision insurance.
4. Will Filing a Claim Increase My Insurance Rates?
Filing a claim can raise your insurance rates. But it depends on your insurer and accident history. If the accident is minor and repairs are cheap, consider paying out of pocket rather than filing a claim.
Your car might be covered by insurance, but your garage door needs homeowners protection.
5. How to File an Insurance Claim for Garage Door Damage?
If you decide to file a claim, here's what you should do:
- Call your insurance company: Inform them about the incident and the damage.
- Take pictures: Document the damage to your car and the garage door.
- Get an estimate: Get estimates for repairing both your garage door and car.
- Pay your deductible: Before insurance covers you, you'll have to pay a deductible.
6. Should You File a Claim or Pay Out of Pocket?
If the damage is minor, like a small dent or scratch, it may be cheaper to pay for the repair. But, if the damage is worse, a claim could save you money.
7. Final Thoughts:
So, does car insurance cover hitting a garage door? The quick answer is:
- Damage to your car: Covered by collision insurance.
- Garage door damage: Covered by homeowners' insurance.
Review your policy. Talk to your agent to know what's covered. Accidents happen, and insurance is there to help you get back on track!
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8. FAQs:
What to do when you hit your garage door?
Check for damage to both the car and the door, then contact your homeowners and car insurance providers to see what’s covered.
Is an attached garage typically covered under a homeowners insurance policy?
Yes, an attached garage is usually covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy.
What is a garage policy in insurance?
A garage policy is insurance for businesses that repair, store, or sell vehicles, covering liability and damages to vehicles in their care.
Can I claim insurance at a local garage?
Yes, you can file a claim for repairs at a local garage if the garage is approved by your insurance provider.
Does homeowners insurance cover garage door damage caused by your car?
Yes, homeowners insurance typically covers damage to your garage door caused by your car, but car insurance won’t cover it.
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