Garage doors are often taken for granted until they suddenly stop working. Will your homeowner’s insurance policy cover the cost of your garage door being damaged and needing to be replaced? The answer may surprise you. Read on to learn more about homeowners insurance relating to garage door replacement and repair.
Does Insurance cover my Garage Door?
One of the most critical features of any home is its garage. It provides shelter for cars and other items and can add value to a property. But what happens when the garage door malfunctions or needs to be replaced? Does homeowners insurance cover these costs? The answer to this question depends on the policy that is in place. Some policies cover the repair or replacement of garage doors, while others do not. It is essential to check with your insurance agent to see what is and is not covered under your policy.
Homeowner’s insurance will sometimes cover the cost of repairing or replacing a garage door. This coverage is typically included in policies that cover other types of repairs to the home, such as plumbing or electrical work. However, some policies specifically exclude coverage for garage doors. This means that if the door needs to be replaced, the homeowner will need to pay for the repairs or replacement out of pocket. Even if a policy does not cover the cost of repairing or replacing a garage door, it may still provide some limited coverage. For example, if the damage to the door is caused by a covered event, such as a fire or windstorm, the policy may pay for some of the repairs. Since weather events are prevalent in the Metro New Orleans area, almost all damage to your garage door is worth mentioning to your insurance company.
It is important to note that most homeowners insurance policies also have a deductible that must be met before coverage kicks in. This means that if the cost of repairing or replacing a garage door is less than the deductible, the homeowner will be responsible for paying the entire bill. For this reason, it is vital to consider the cost of repairs or replacement when deciding whether or not to file a claim. Sometimes, it may make more sense to pay for the repairs out of pocket rather than filing a claim and paying the deductible.
If you are unsure whether or not your homeowner’s insurance policy covers the cost of repairing or replacing a garage door, the best thing to do is contact your agent and ask. They will be able to review your policy and let you know what coverage is available. It is also a good idea to have a copy of your policy handy, so you can review it yourself. This way, you will know what to expect if you ever need to file a claim.
Does your Garage Door Need Repairs or Replacement?
In the New Orleans area, several factors can cause damage to your garage doors, like hurricanes, car accidents, flooding, high winds, or simply the age of the door itself. If you damage your garage door, it’s essential to know what your homeowner’s insurance covers. But how can you tell how damaged your door is and if you should get insurance involved?
If your garage door is off its tracks, has a broken spring, or the opener isn’t working, those are all signs that you should get repairs done as soon as possible. These types of damage can cause your door not to open or close properly, which can be a safety hazard. If your damage is cosmetic, like a minor dent or a scratch, you can probably wait to get repairs done. Once you’ve determined that you need repairs, the next step is to contact your insurance company if you think your damage is covered. If you have comprehensive coverage on your homeowner’s insurance policy, then your garage door damage may be covered. However, if you only have liability coverage, your garage door damage won’t be covered.
If you decide to file a claim, your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. They will then determine if the damage is repairable or if you need a new door. If they decide you need a new door, they will give you a check to cover the door’s cost minus your deductible. If you have a $500 deductible and the door cost is $1,500, then you would only receive $1,000 from your insurance company. It’s important to note that if your door is old and needs to be replaced anyway, your insurance company may only cover a portion of the cost because they will only reimburse you for the current value of the door.
If you are in New Orleans Metro or River Parishes, contact ACE Garage Door for all your garage door needs! We are a locally owned and operated business with over eight years of experience in the Metro New Orleans Area. We offer various services, including repair, replacement, and installation. Depending on the type of insurance you have, we may even be able to help you file a claim. If not, our work is guaranteed, and we offer competitive rates. Give us a call today to learn more, or click here to get a quote.
