If you seek answers to whether your car insurance will cover hitting your garage door, you are not alone. Quite a number of people often wonder if their car insurance is capable of providing protection against damages done to the garage door; hence, we have created this guide for you.
Unfortunately, your car insurance does not offer protection and will not cover the damage incurred from hitting your garage door. However, if your vehicle is damaged along the line, your collision coverage can come in here.
Car insurance only covers the damage done to your car as a result of the accident.
What to Do If You Hit Your Garage Door with Your Car
Accidents happen unexpectedly, and when they occur, we are liable to seek out options that would help manage the situation. So, what do you do if you hit your garage door with your car? Your first line of action is to determine whether or not you need to file a claim for the damage incurred.
In most cases where the damage incurred cannot be paid out of pocket, policyholders are compelled to file a claim to cover the costs associated with repairing or replacing the damaged property.
If it’s a minor damage, we advise our readers to avoid the hassle and pay for the damage out of their own pockets rather than filing a claim. It is an ideal option because your insurance policies have a tendency to increase if you file a claim for every minor accident. Why risk a higher premium if you can simply avoid it by catering for the cost on your own?
What to Do If You Hit Someone Else’s Garage Door with Your Car
Accidents are unforeseen and can occur in different ways. Sometimes, it is not even your garage door you might cause damage to; it could be your neighbor’s. In a situation where you cause damage to someone else’s garage door, here’s what to do:.
- Ensure safety and assess the damage: The first thing to do is to ensure that no one is harmed, and if there is, call emergency services immediately. Afterwards, assess the extent of the damage incurred from the accident. You can also take photos of your car and the garage door for documentation purposes.
- Get the required information: Once you are done evaluating the extent of the damage, exchange information with the property owner and any other person affected by the damage. This information should include your name, address, contact information, plate number, driver’s license, and insurance information.
- Contact the relevant authorities: If the damage caused to the garage door is severe, you may need to reach out to the police within the jurisdiction of the accident.
- Notify your insurance company: Ensure your insurance company is informed about the occurrence. Provide them with all the information you have gathered about the incident. They may be able to cover all expenses for repair or replacement.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover garage doors?
In most states, policyholders are required to have liability coverage on their auto insurance policies. This type of coverage is designed to protect policyholders in the event of any type of accident, including garage door accidents. If there is severe damage incurred from the accident, you can refer to your liability coverage.
The ideal thing to do is to notify your insurance provider if a situation like this occurs and file a claim if it is covered under your policy.
Filing a Claim for Your Auto Insurance
If there’s a need to file a claim on your auto insurance, it should be for a tangible reason. If you get into an accident and your car is severely damaged, you can file a claim. But when there are minor damages that can easily be repaired, filing a claim isn’t an ideal option.
The most important thing is to have a good claim history that won’t affect your premiums in the long run.
If you get involved in an accident where you’re not at fault and the situation is too much for you to handle, the first thing is to contact the police and give a detailed explanation and documentation of how the accident occurred. Having a detailed and accurate police report aids your claim process, and it makes it easier for your insurance provider to approve your claim faster.
Furthermore, if you’re unsure of what to do, you can reach out to your insurance company and ask for guidance on how to go about the claim process. They are in the best position to put you through the steps and requirements needed to file a claim on your car insurance. They provide you with clear steps that guide you through the claim process.
When filing a claim under your car insurance policy, you will be required to provide paperwork that would aid the claim process. So, it is important that you provide all the required details specified by your insurance company.
Once the adjuster reviews the information you provided, there will be an estimate of the damage incurred and the materials that will be used to replace or repair the damaged part. Ensure you seek clarity as to the deductibles involved in the claim process, so you will have a clear understanding of what it entails.
