“Is my garage door covered by my insurance?” or “Will my insurance cover the garage door motor?”, a question we often get asked when doing an insurance assessment for garage door repairs or replacement.n
After all, a garage door is an important part of your home and can be quite expensive to replace if it is damaged or broken. The answer to this question can vary depending on the specific circumstances, as well as the insurance policy that you have in place. We are going to try and give the best answer possible, but typically these answers need a bit more context.
In South Africa, typically, homeowners insurance policies will provide coverage for damage to the structure of your home, including your garage door. This means that if your garage door is damaged as a result of something like a fire, storm, or vandalism, your insurance policy should cover the cost of repairing or replacing it. However, it’s important to note that this coverage may be subject to certain limits and exclusions, so it’s always a good idea to check with your insurance provider to confirm exactly what is covered under your policy. In our experience most of the insurance assessments that our clients have submitted gets approved, whether it be for the garage door repair, garage motor repair or gate motor repair and/or replacement.
Something to keep in mind is that if you have an older garage door, your insurance company may only cover the cost of repairs rather than replacement, as many insurance companies have a limit on how much they will cover for older or worn out items. That being said, depending on your cover, some might opt to rather replace the door than facilitate repairs.
It’s also worth noting that if you have an electric garage door motor, it may not be covered under your standard homeowners insurance policy. Instead, you may need to purchase separate coverage for this type of equipment. Some insurances would require you to declare it or request it to be covered (at no extra cost), however, it is always a good idea to check with your insurance provider to see if this type of coverage is available or if it is covered as a standard item.
With some insurers in order to be covered under your homeowners insurance policy, you need to maintain your garage door in good condition. This means that you should have regular maintenance done on your garage door, including checking the springs, tracks, and other components to ensure that they are in good working order. If your garage door is not properly maintained and it is damaged as a result, your insurance company may not cover the cost of repairs or replacement. It is always advisable to have your garage door serviced once a year, as many parts need readjusting like for instance the garage door springs so that the garage door is well balanced and does not put strain on the rest of the system or components. This in turn will increase the life expectancy of the equipment.
Overall, the coverage for garage doors under homeowners insurance in South Africa can vary depending on the specific policy and circumstances. It’s always a good idea to check with your insurance provider to confirm what is covered under your policy and to make sure that you are taking the necessary steps to protect your garage door and keep it in good condition.n
Peninsula Garage Doors offers insurance assessments in the event that one is required by the insurer. Most insurers will approve insurance claims for garage door damage, garage door motors and gate motors. If an insurance report is required please get in contact with us on the contact details below and we will be happy to assist.
Cape Town: 078 949 8130
Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha: 063 462 4003
Email: info@peninsuladoors.co.za
Web: peninsuladoors.co.za
Facebook: peninsulagaragedoors
